River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-12-18

out, and the storm lasted several days.
Meanwhile the sailors and Capt. Brooks,
too, had grown so fond of jim, who was
so brave and had such pretty ways, that
they were no longer anxious TO send
her back. So the ship sailed on, day
after day and day after day, until
seventy days had passed since they left
New York, and then they landed at Rio
Janeiro. Capt. Brooks had some friends
insthe city, and he went there with jim,
intending to leave her with them while
they stayed in that port. But jim
could not understand their Spanish
talk, and would not be separated from
her captain. But the ladies wero very
kind to the little American, whose
queer ways amused them greatly. In
that city the ladies do not go out
shopping as they do in North Ameri-
can cities; instead of that, the mer-
cants carry their goods to the houses.
AS the childs clothing was now very
shabby the captain wished her to have
some new garments, so the ladies sent
for the merchants to bring the articles
TO the house, and Jim was fitted up
with new suits enough to last her
long time.
They went to ride almost every day
and Jim saw many strange sights. She
saw coffee growing, and never forgot
the beautiful appearance of the dark
green shining leaves, the pretty snowy
blossoms and the bright red berries.
where's the toffee ?" she asked, and
then Capt Brooks took her to part of
the plantation where the fruit was
crushed and the berries separated and
dried. And bananas! Well, she had
as many as she could eat, and they
we're far nicer than those she had at
home. And she saw monkeys and ali
gators and parrots and all sorts of
beautiful birds. Capt. Brooks bought
a splendid parrot for her to take home
with her. The captains friends gave
her some very handsome sea shells and
great big doll with which to amuse
herself when she went to sea again.
One week before the Sea Bird was to
sail, another vessel left Rio Janeiro for
New York, and Capt. Brooks asked Jim
if she wanted to go home.
Eyes, l want to go home and see
mamma and papa. but I'd a great deal
drather wait and go on my own ship"
was Jim's reply.
"Well, then, shall we send letter on
this ship to your papa, and let him
know where you are?"
Don't he know"
"No, and I'm afraid he has been very
anxious about his little girl. "
Didn't he know that God would have
YOU tate tare of me?"
I'm afraid not. "
why, he said God would tate tare
of me always ii is good, Hasn't | been
good?"
Yes, indeed, the best little girl /
ever saw. Shall we write to him?
You can tell me what to say"
Leaving the captain writing at Jim's
dictation we will return to Captain
Gains residence in New York. Mrs.
Cams broken ankle is nearly we'll, but
she is so pale and thin that you would
hardly know her. The great mansion
Is silent and desolate, for its light went
ont when jim went down the front
steps into the busy streets of the city so
long ago. 1t is Christmas eve, and
papa and mamma are sitting in their
own room sad and heavy hearted. at
has almost broken my heart to see the
display of Christmas goods in the shops
the last few weeks, and when came
home tonight and saw so many happy
people hurrying along with their bun
dies" Poor papa He could say no
morei
Tears were rolling down mammals
pale cheeks, and she said: I've almost
given up all hopes of ever seeing my
little Ruth again"
We'll, said papa, I've kept hoping,
and have never felt so inclined to des-
pair as tonight. I've employed the
best detective skill to be had; I've Of
fered rewards enough to ensure her re-
turn if she had been stolen; I've done
everything could think of or expert
ence suggest, but all seems in vain. +"
IF we could only know that she Is