Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-24

| f1Of1DGI possesses.
well, dear, I'll get you canary
bird, or poll-parrot or a Maltese :
Scat, Charles !" ] cried, half anus
ed and half vexed. "You know l have
often told you that I dislike those
things. The piercing notes of can
airy 60 through my head; a parrot is
odious, and | have q detestation for
the whole feline tribe. But I wish
you could see this little beauty. /
know she has not her equal in New
York city"
''Pshaw" cried my husband. 'How
you women do carry on"
If you could only see her for your
self, Charles, [ know you would be of
my opinion" [ retorted warmly.
But Charles only 'pshawed" again,
and said he had no use for such small
! fry.
So, finding my husband so unsym-
pathetic on the subject, did not men
ton it again, but continued my daily
walks in the Square and my constant
meetings with Floribel.' At these
meetings | always took her in my
arms, and lavished a thousand car
esses upon her. I had learned to love
the little thing dearly, and [ believe
she loved nae in return. She would
always run to meet me with a glad
little cry of recognition, and she did
indeed beguile many of my weary
hours.
But the more I saw Of her, the more
I longed for her. I wanted her for
my very own. I should then and
there have fed temptation and never
looked upon her again. But l could
not. That innocent face, those sweet,
bright eyes which had learned to
know me so well, possessed fascina-
ton [ could not resist. [ coveted her
possession so earnestly that it became
the one absorbing subject of my
thoughts. I resolved to steal her
Who can understand the workings
of the human mind? Who can tell
what conflicts of conscience I endured
ere [ came to so sinful resolution?
Judge not, oh man, thou that iudgest
thy brother; and, oh woman. that
iudgest thy sister woman. Wait till
We also are tempted, ere ye condemn.
Know you not that one idea long
dweLt upon in secret dominates over
the mind till insanity is produced? [
can offer but one plea in my behalf.
[ believe [ was temporarily insane,
and hardly accountable. l certainly
became a mOnOmanlac.
Inever breathed my intention to my
husband. He would most certainly
have prevented its execution. I did
not thiuk what account [ should rem
der to him afterward, should [ succeed
in my design.
If [ had thought that the treasure
could have been purchased, there is
no sum [ would have considered too
exorbitant to have given to get her
into my possession. But felt sure
such offer would have been worse than
useless.
From the moment [ made up my
mind to commit the theft, watched
for my opportunity, but for some
time none presented itself. never
saw her without the nurse, or some of
the family, who always kept close
watch upon her. But one day [ met
her as usual in the Square with the
nurse, and bright thong hit occurred
to me.
''Here, nurse" said, for we had
become quite well acquainted now,
and drawing some small change FROM
my pocket, ''take this and go across
the square to that candy shop and get
some sugar-plums, and we'll have a
little feast under the trees. Floribel
looks as though she would enjoy
some; and I'll take care of her while
you are gone" The nurse readily
assented, but kesitated when she rose.
COZ course ma'am you won't let
Floribel stray off? And you'll be
here when l get back? You know,
ma'am, I'm responsible.
"You can certainly trust her with
me-" I returned, $50 be off, nurse"
And the woman went. I waited
until [ saw her enter the confec-
toners door. Then I sprang up.
''Floribelr' I called and at my voice
the little one came toddliBg up. I
snatched her up in my arms and COM
menced to walk, slowly at first, but
gradually quickening my pace, ia the
direction of my own home, casting
occasional chances behind me. I had
gene two blocks and was about to hail
a stage when I heard pattering feet
behind me, and the nurse came rush
ing up breathless.
ooh, ma'am," she cried, you
gave me such a scare! When | got
back to the Square I couldn't see you
anywhere-and a kind policeman
said you had come up this way-and
then [ caught a glimpse Of her little
head over your shoulder. Oh, ma'am,
what a turn you gave mew
Here the nurse stopped and painted.
My intention had not been suspected;
that was clear.
81 got tired sitting there" I said,
turning to retrace my steps, and
thought I'd walk about till you re-
turned. Did you get the candy?
Well, then, We'll 60 back and eat it
under the tree"
So [ was fciled for the once, but
determined to bide my time.
A few days after I was slowly