Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-11-12
TOWN POUR.

to it a year before our story opens,
clingng TO his dying mothers hand.
She remembered nothing but the bare
walls and desOlate grounds OF the
poorhouse; The suubblngs and snap
pings Of matron and assistants; the
spare. comfOrtless meal, and the un~
homely like place that was the only
home She knew. He mad had gllmpses
of the world outside, aud was, besides,
two ears older-tnat was not very
old. for ne was only len.
Ho was TO be bound out TO a farmer;
she 10 some good housekeeper, who
would promise 10 teach aer to read
the bible.
She was happier than be, for she
was more ignorant, besides she had
doll. Such q doll Il was q thick
lump of wood, about two feet long,
with holes burnt iutoil, feathers, and
looked somewhat like an Indian idol.
OF course she neyerCalled IT doll; il
was always her child
There was knot hole Ia the wooden
fence between the male and female
sides OF the po0rhouse grounds. lie
peeDad through one morning and saw
strange child sitting with her doll
on large stone.
81 say, said he, come here.
She went tc the fence at once.
wv hats your nameW
Jane. What's yourSf'
"Pom You live heres'
Yes. do y2u.'
''Ye5.n
whats that you've g0tT'
My child. she lsn't well to-day"
'BJ,her.'
ono, she isn't
Are there amy more little girls
there
Three; bu, one has broken back
and goes &c bed all the time; and two
are bigger than me and work. Are
there any boys in therci'
Lots. Lhate 'em They make fun
OF nae p
Then I hate em too, said she,
He came closer 10 the fence.
Are you hungry all the times" be
asked.
mo. Every day before dinner she
gives me q piece.
She, was the matron, and "a
piece was a slice of bread and butter.
"Anl' said he, enviously, I'D like
to see any Of US ask for piece. I'm
most starved.
IN tell you what III do. Next
time get my piece I'll give you half.
You come here tomorrow TO this hole
and Ili fetch it,"
Amt you goodw said the boy,
admir!ngly.
80 the friendship began. Every
day the thick slice Of bread and butter
was shared at the kuot-hole. 1t
was g good thing for Tom. AS for
Jane, it was at that knothOle that she
learned how unhappy II was to be a
poorAouse child; learned that other
little people had q pleasant freedom
unknown TO her. He had lived in
this outer world, had Tom. When2
He only knew that it was before his
father went to the war and vas shot
before his mother died, Long sedit-
Ious talks did those two have concern
ing the authorities OF the poorhouse.
Once Tom came 10 the lxnot,hole with
great red bruse across hls face,
where he had baen struck with a
rattan.
Lots more on my shoulders. - said
he, Jane, when / am big I'll beat
that man beat kim till the blood
runs. hate him"
That day Jane wept compassionate
tears and gave Tom all her piece,
pretending she had had double allow
ance. Moreover, she stuck the "Childs'
head through the hole and told him
to kiss it, But neither bread and bat
ter nor kindness could help Ton
much. He grew more and NOR,
wretched. He became a you Ishmae
in the poorhouse He was tormenteC
by the small and logged by the great
At last he came to the knot hole on,
day, furious, Hnutterably wretched
and told Jane that he was about to q
away.
"Going away Y said Jane.
Going to run away said Tom
IF they catch me and bring me hacl
III hang myself to the hook over tn,
bed; but III try first. ~
Jane burst INTO tears.
"G0ing awsy!' she sobbed. "Aut
III never, never see you any more
Tenn
Il didn't think about that, SAID he
Don't cry, Jane"
But she sobbed faster.
"Don'tp said he; DON'T l say
Jane, you come tool I'm going to b
farmer; shall want a wife. Com
with me.
whats a wife9'
YOU answered Tom; you shal
be my wife
"What would have to DOR
"Why, you must call me husband
instead Of Tom. and / must call yot
Ma instead Of Jane l must worl
and you must cook and mend m,
clothes.
II have a ball of cotton and bi.
needless said Jane. "She gave EN-
to me.
You'll come, them