The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-09-11
" TOWN POOR. "
How Jane and Tom Went to
excepting and Farming.

housekeeping ana Farming.
They were both clown poor" She
had been left in basket at the gate Of
the institution. He had only come to
it year before our story opens, cling
ing to his dying mothers hand. She
remembered nothing but the bare walls
and desolate grounds of the poor
house; the snubbings and snappings oil
matron and assistants; the spare, COM
fortress meals, and the unhome- like
place that was the only home she
knew. He had had glimpses of the
world outside, and was, besides, two
years older-that was not very old, for
he was only ten.
He was to be bound out to a farmer;
she to some good housekeeper, who
would promise to teach her to read
her Bible No one ever knew or cared
whether the promise was kept but it
sounded well, and pleased certain peo-
pie to exact it. The chief thing was
to be rid of the expense of these
pauper children as soon as possible.
She was happier than he, for she
was more ignorant; besides, she had
q dell! Such doll! 1t was thick
lump of wood, about two feet long,
with holes burnt into it for features,
and looked somewhat like an Indian
idol. An old lame sailor in the house
had made it for her, and had given the
child a yellow silk pocket-haudker.
chief, with hole in the middle, to
make dress for it. She put the head
through the hole, tied bit of red and
white cord she had found in the doc
tors Office about its waist, and it was
dressed. All day long she carried it
about with her, and at night it slept,
as she fancied. on her bosom. There
were times when she declared herself
TO have had troublesome hours with
her doll, who had not been we'll. OF
course, she never called it, Doll; it was
always her Child"
There was q knot- hole in the wooden
fence between the male and female
sides OF the poor-house grounds. He
peeped through one morning, and saw
a strange child sitting with her doll on
large stone.
Il say" said he, 'come here"
She went to the fence at once.
"What's your nameP"
Jane. What's yoursP''
tom. You live here?"
Eyes. Do your"
Yes"
hot
"My child. She isn't well to-day"
"Bother!'
''No she isn't"
"Are there any more little girls in
thereP"
Three; but one has broken back
and goes to bed all the time; and two
are bigger than me and work. Are
there any boys in there?"
"Lots. | hate 'em ALL They make
fun of me.
Then l hate 'em, too" said she.
He came closer to the fence.
Are you hungry all the timer" he
asked.
mo. Every day before dinner she
gives me a piece. "
"She" was the matron, and "a piece"
was q slice of bread and butter.
"Ah!' said he, enviously. I'D like
to see any of us ask for a piece. I'm
most starved
IN tell you what I'll do. Next
time get my piece III give you half.
You come here tomorrow to this hole
and I'll fetch it."
"Ain't you good!' said the boy, adj
miringly.
SO the friendship began. Every day
the thick slice of bread and butter was
shared at the knot-hole. 1t was a good
thug for Tom AS for Jane. it was at
that knot-hole that she learned how uu-
happy it was TO be poor-houSe child;
learnt that other little people had a
pleasant freedom unknown to her. He
had lived in the outer world, had Tom.
WhenP He only knew that it was be-
fore his father went to the war and was
shot, and before his mother died. Long,
sedit' ous talks did those two have con-
corning the authorities of the poor
house, Once Tom came to the knot
hole with great red bruise across his
face, where he had been struck with a
rattan.
'Lots more on my shoulders" said
he. Jane, when I'm big Ill beat
that man--beat him till the blood runs.
hate him!"
That day Jane wept compassionate
tears, and gave Tom all her piece, pre-
tending she had had double allowance.
Moreover, she stuck the "Child's" head
through the hole and told Tom to kiss
it. But neither bread and butter nor
kindness could help Tom very much.
He grew more and more wretched. He
became young Ishmael in the poor
house. He was tormented by the
small and flogged by the great At last
he came to the knot-hole one day, flu.
rious, uputterably wretched, and tod
Jane that he was going away.
Going awayr said Jane.
"Going to run away, said Tom. IL
they catch me and bring me back I'll
hang myself to the hook over my bed,
but I'll try first I'll 60"
Jane burst into tears.
go awayr she sobbed "And I'll
never, never see you any more, Tomm
81 didn't think about that" said
Tom. Don't cry. Jane"
But she sobbed faster.
"Don'tP' said he; "don't! say,
Jane, you come. tool I'm going to be
farmer; shall want wife. Come
with me.
whats wifeP"
''You," answered Tom; "you shall
be my wife
''What would have to do?n
"Why, you must call me Husband
instead of Tom, and must call yor
Ma instead of Jane must work
and get you things, and you must cook
and mend my clothes"
I've q ball of cotton and big
needle" said Jane. ''She gave 'em t.
me
you'll come, then?'
Eyes I'm afraid; but if / could
never see you any more, l should cry
all the time"
'1' m Ooino To he faro,a,. ,, cold