Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-01-03

to the firm he told her of his love, and
was accepted, both by Minnie and her
father. He was absent on business
when Mr.. Osborne's losses came, and
did not return until after that gentle
mans DEATH The first intimatiOn he
had of it was when he called at the
house on his return, and found every
thing changed strange faces and
strange furniture, and he could get no
information as to the whereabouts of
Minnie and the rest of the family. He
had sought in vain for some tidings of
them. and had arrived at the conclu-
sion that they had left the city. He
had not given up all hope, and was
only waiting favorable opportunity,
when business would permit, to make
long search for the object of his
love.
Minnie, whose handsome face, per-
feet form, elegant and graceful car
riage had attracted the attention Of
more than one gentlemen who had
asked for her hand, had remained
true to her first and only love, though
she thought he had gone from her for
ever. The landlord of the miserable
tenement house in which she lived had
pressed his attentions upon her; she,
without being rude, had done every
thing in her power to repel him. She
had a struggle to pay her rent prompt
ly, and all the little articles of jewel
ry, except the ring mentioned, had
gone toward paying him, as she did
not wish to get herself into his power,
and she now thought it would be bet
ter to pawn the ring than to get be-
hind in the rent.
Occupied with her thoughts, she
had now arrived at her door. Up three
flights back she went, and found her
mother even worse than she had left
her, and meaning on account of hun
ger. Little Jamie said that it was
Christmas Eve, and he hoped that
Santa Claus, would now bring them
lots Of good things to eat and some
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
loaf of bread, took mouthful or two
herself and divided the remainder be-
tween the others. She then went down
stairs. mee:ing 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 last look at
the dear ring she left the place and
hurried toward the market.
Turning down a 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 rough-lcoking
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, orI will call
he police"
The man laughed and said:
''What will [ be doing all this
time? Doyou think the cops are round
on such night as this? 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:
"Will you allow me to escort you to
your home?"
'tThank you, SIR" replied Minnie;
''but was just going to market when
that man spoke to me. How can /
thank you sufficiently for your timely
act?"
''By sayingnothing more about it, "
said the young man, land if-why
great heaven! Il is Minnie. Minnie,
don't you know me? [ am Frank
your Frank"
Poor Minnie grew faint, and al
lowed herself to be drawn close to his
side for a 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. I am only a
poor saleswoman now, and"
"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 it even more thoroughly,
how he had prayed for their meeting
once more and now that meetinU had