Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-12-28


thing warm to wear.
With an almost breaking heart Min
ME got the room in something like
order, though to be sure there was
very little in the way of furniture in
it, and after sending Maud out for a
leaf of bread, took a mouthful or two
herself and divided the remainder be-
tween the others. She then went down
stairs. meeting the landlord in the
entryway. She had not the courage to
ask him to take half the rent, but
hurriedly gave it all to him and ran
out upon the street to avoid convers-
ing with him.
With heavy heart and tears in her
eyes she entered one of the many
pawnbroker's shops on Chatham street
and offered her ring The money
lender gave her not half of what she
had expected to get for it, but she
could not refuse, so with a last look at
the dear ring she left the place and
hurried toward the market.
Turning down side street, busy
with thoughts of Frank Johnson and
the night when he had placed the ring
ON her finger, she did not notice that
she was followed by a rough-looking
man, who, when just in the shadow
between two gaslights, seized her by
the arm and said:
Good evening miss You better
take little walk with me"
Minnie uttered little scream. and
exclaimed:
Release me instantly, orr will call
the police"
The man laughed and said:
what will | be doing all this
timer Doyou think the cops are round
on such a night as this2 You can bet
your life they amt. So, come along
my beauty" trying to force her
along.
Minnie screamed outright, and as
she did SO a young man rushed up,
and Selling the rough by the throat,
drew him away from the trembling
girl and threw him to the pavement.
Quite a little crowd had gathered,
but the young man did not notice
them, and as the rough had skunk
away, feeling of his sore bones, he
turned to Minnie, saying:
Twill you allow me to escort you To
your homer"
THANK you, SIR" replied Minnie
''but | was just going to market when
that man spoke to me. How can l
thank you sufficiently for your timely
act?"
''By saying nothing more about it, u
said the young man, land if-why
great heaven! II is Minnie! Minnie,
don't you know me2 | am Frank
your Frank"
Poor Minnie grew faint, and al
lowed herself to be drawn chose to his
side for moment. Then, trying to
push him away, she said:
eyes, Frank, | do know yoa now.
But Frank you seem to forget the
change in our positions. | am only a
poor saleswoman now, and d"
Say not another word about that,
my darling. | care not what you are,
so long as | have found you again. |
shall never let you go now"
They walked on toward the market,
and Frank told of his fruitless search
for her and how he had intended to
prosecute il even more thoroughly,
how he had prayed for their meeting
once more, and now that meeting had
come.
Minnie, who loved him as dearly as
he did her, could not resist his earnest
pleading and told him her whole story
- how poor they were, how she had
struggled durIRg the past two years
and how Jamie and her mother were
suffering at home for the want of a
few necessaries. They had now reach
ed the market, and in spite of Min
MES Inconsistencies Frank purchased
two great basketsful of good things
and ordered many more to be sent to
her home. On the way back Frank
told her that while dining with a
friend at Dclmonico's that very day
he had been introduced to a gentleman
who, in the course of conversation,
had asked him if he knew of family
by the name of Osborne, and stated
what her fathers business had been
He, of course, told them all he knew
respecting them, and they had then
made compact to find them, if pos
sible, the gentleman saying that he
was the brother of Mrs. Osborne, but
had not seen her for many years.
why, that must be mothers broth
or John, of whom | have heard her
speak so often, said Minnie; Il
hope it is; she will be glad to see
him,
Almost as glad as | am to see you,
my darling" said Frank, passionate
ly. And | think that while you
have been having such struggle
with poverty, | have been living i'll
luxury. with the expectation of be
ing hungry for sight of your dear
face. Why did you not come to me,
Minnie2"
well, Frank, pride kept me away
for one thing, and for another, knew
how honorable you were and that you
would keep your troth with me, but |
was afraid you might feel as though
you were sacrificing yourself in we'd
ding me-not Minnie Osborne the
rich mans daughter, but Minnie
Osborne the poor sales woman"
mo, Minnie, it can be no secrifice,
for love you for yourself alone, and
with a love which comes only once
in a mans lifetime replied Frank,
earnestly.
well, Frank" said Minnie, the
present is so happy and beautiful that
| can almost forget the dark, weary
past. | have learned many good
lessons in the school of sorrow and
trial, and though we have suffered
much, ny faith in Him who careth
for the widow and the fatherless has
never wavered, and | thank Him to-
night for having brought us together
again. Indeed, Frank, l am, trust,
a better woman and better Christian
for having walked in the path of the
lowly.'
You have always been an angel in
my eyes, darling, and the thought of
your purity and beauty of character
has spurred me on to try to keep in
the straight and narrow way, and,
thank God, by His grace and assis-
lance, | have succeeded, and with you
| feel graceful to Him who has per-
mittod us to meet here tonight.
well. Frank, here we are at our
mansion" laughed Minnie. You
can never carry those baskets up
three flights of stairs alone; let me
help you"
"Oh, can carry them easily en-
ough, only you lead the way" said
Frank.
There was happy party in the lit
tie, low back room that night, and
Frank who had ALWAYS hasn q favor