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

The writer of this article was this
year assigned to the task of preparing
Christmas story, and as the reporter
couldn't think ofanything about Christ
mas that would be worth reading, he
concluded to demand the aid of one OF
those persons who are always loaded
with fund of stories relative to the
private life of prominent people.
Come with me-" said he. as soon as
he learned what was wanted, "and l
will give you the material for a story
that will not only be interesting, but
strictly true"
He led the way to large and hand
some dwelling on a street devoted to
residences, occupied by solid merchants
and their families. The guide and re-
porter were admitted by eat-looking
servant, and were ushered into parlor
furnished elegantly. Within five min
utes lady, tastefully but richly attired,
entered the room and graciously greet
ed the student of secret history, whom
she welcomed in a most cordial but
ladylike manner. After the reporter
had been introduced the guide had a
few moments conversation relative to a
piece of property the lady was about to
sell, and this matter disposed of gen
eral conversation ON the topics of the
day followed, in which the hostess took
part with vivacity and grace at once
charming and unaffected. The lady
was great reader and lover of fine
arts. Her familiarity with books and
authors and men of the times showed
that she had improved her mind to a
high degree. The paintingsin the par
lors were all admirably selected The
lady, the reporter learned, had travelled
extensively in this country and abroad,
She spoke French fiuentlv, and had ac-
quired considerable of the politeness for
which the French people are celebrated.
At the end of half an hours chat the
reporter and his friend took their de-
parture.
you have just left the heroine of
your Christmas story" said the guide
as the two strolled down the street.
Il supposed as much sad tho report
er; "and now for the story itself
"And now for the story itself" re-
peated the guide. you shall have it.
The woman you just saw was once a
country girl residing on farm thirty
miles from Milwaukee, Wis. At the
age of Ia years she was a loving, con-
fding, ingenious child, the perfect pic
ture of the ideal, rosy-cheeked country
maid. One day, when she was IN her
18th year, middle-aged bachelor, who
was in business in Milwaukee, called at
her fathers house to buy some horses
or something-Ive forgotten just what.
He saw the little country maiden and
was struck by her marvellous beauty, as
well as her childish simplicity of man.
ner and sensible mien. He took &C.
casion to converse with the little lass
and asked her if she would not like
to marry him. The child really did
not know the full import of his
meaning, but she innocently replied
that she would be delighted to marry
him. He then told her to be good
girl, and that some day he would come
and make her his wife. The gentle
man went back to his home in Milwau-
kee, and the country girl resumed her
life of humdrum country existence.
Christmas times approached, and on
Christmas eve our country maiden pro-
posed to hang up a stocking IN antlcipa-
ton of a present.. She was blessed
with stepmother, woman of vicious
temperament and deep hatred for the
little beauty, who was SO unfortunate as
to live under the same roof with her.
The stepmother, always on the lookout
for an excuse to have row, seized upon
the simple act of hanging up a stocking
on Christmas eve to frame an excuse to
treat the poor girl to a most violent
Whipping. The bri2ht ant.cipations of
the happy Christmas entertained by the
girl were thus swept away, and she re-
tired that night with her busy brain on
fire, as sho immedi tely determined
that she would no longer submit to the
cruelties of Ter brutal steDmother.
Suddenly she thought of the gentleman
at Milwaukee who had said he would
marry her, and instantly she made up
her mind to go to him. She had no
money, and could not get any, but that
did not stand in her way. At
four o'clock on Christmas morn
ing she packed few articles of cloth
ing in a handkerchief and set out on
foot for Milwaukee 1t was a frightful
undertaking for young and tender
girl, but she bravely pushed on, and
that night she reached the city. She
was footsore, cold and tired, but not
discouraged, for she never dreamed
that she was in danger of being dlsap-
pointed Her faith in human nature
was something sublime, and her con-
fidence in the gentleman who had said
he would marry her was as great as
though she had known and trusted him
all her life.
1.-The bachelor sat in his cozy private
parlor at his boarding house, which was
the best place of the kind in Milwau-
kee, on the Christmas evening, when
the landlady made her appearance lead
ing our little heroine by tie hand.
Gas soon as the gentleman could re-
cover his establishment at the sight of
the suffering child before him, he ex-
claimed:
q Why, what in the world are you
here for in such sad plight?
/" Il have come to get married. was
the reply, as the child confidingly APP
preached her lover.
A." To get married?
8 yes, sir; to marry you
tHIY Ill all ,.,,,,oJ 4ha t,oaI,-
elor, as he led the little wanderer to the
fire aud stroked her beautiful hair.
Then turning to the wondering landlady
he commanded her to take the child I'M
der her protection and make her com
Portable.
eyes, come, sissy. said the landlady,
Won are almost persisted with cold and
hunger
Her shoes were worn through and
her feet were covered with blisters
Yet her cheeks we're like peach and
her ewes sparkled with brilliancy. She
was most beautiful. The bachelor sat
for hours musing The red cheeks and
bright eyes Of the little country maid
haunted him all night You may not
wonder at this, for if you think the lady
You saw to-day is beautiful, what must
she have been when a girl?
Within a few days the gentleman
married the girl. and as he was well to
do they lived together in comfort for
several years, when the gentleman died.
Tie young widow remained a widow
but short time, when she REMARKED.
This time she was married to gentle
man who made money, but lived liberal
l., and entertained his friends right