Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-12-20

eho fAoke rose straight up from the
chimneys. Down III the village street q
girl and young man were walking, talk
ing about her, but she did not know
that.
The girl was the minister's daughter
She bad just become engaged to the
young man, and was walking wi,h him in
broad daylight with a kind of shame.
faced plide. Whenever they met any.
body she blushed, and at the same time
held mp her head proudly, and swung one
arm with an airy motion. She chartered
giibely and quite loudly to cover her en-
barTasment.
Yes" she said, IN sweet, crisp voice,
christmas Jenny has just been TO the
house, ana we've bought some sreaths.
We're going to hang them in ali the front
windows. Mother didn't snow as we
ought TO buy them of her, there's so much
talk, but don't believe word of it, for
my part"
what talkf" asked the young man.
He held himself very stiff and straight,
and never turned his head when he shot
swift smiling glsnces az thu girls pink
face.
why, don't you know? rs town
talk. They say she's got lot of birds
and rabbits and things shut mp in cages,
and half starves them; aud then that
little deaf aud dumb boy, YOU know
they say shs treats him dreaGfully.
They're gong TO look into it. Father
and Deacon Little are going up there
this week"
care theyS" said the young man. He
was listening TO the glrrs voice with a
sort of rapturous attention, but be haa
little idea As TO what she was saying. As
they walkec they faced the mountain.
IL vas only the next day when the
minister and Deacon Little made the
visit They started up flock of spar
rows that were feeding by Jennyis door;
but the birds did hot &, very far, they
settled INTO tree aud watched. Jenny's
house was hardly more than a weather.
beaten hat, but there was grape vine
trained over one end and the front yard
was tidy. just before the house STOOD a
tall pine tree. A. the rear, and on the
right stretched the remains of JenGy'5
last summers garden, foil of plough
ridges and giisteninR corn stubble.
Jenny was not ~ home. The minister
knocked and got no response. Fina.
rs lifted the latch, and the two men walk
ed in. The room seemed gloomy after
tho brilliant light outside, they could not
see anything at first, but they could hear
a loud and demoustfetive squeaking aud
chirpiug and twitteriug that their en-
trance appeared Co excite.
AT length a small pink and white face
cleared oat of the gloom in the chimney
conner. ID surveyed the visitors with no
fear nor surprise, but seemingly with az
innocent amiability.
"rhat's the little deaf aud dumb boy"
said the minister, in a subdutd voice. Tie
minister was an old man, narrow shout
dered, and clad in o long wasted ana
crinkly black. Deacon Little reared
himself III his siuewy leauess until his
head nearly touched the low ceiling. HIS
face was saliow aud severely corrugated
but the features ware handsome.
Both stood staring rem1rsslessly at the
little deaf and dumo boy, who looked up
IN their faces with an expression of deli
cate wonder and amusemend. The little
boy was dressed like agirl, in a long blue
gingham pinafore. He sat IN the midst
of heap OF oyergreens, which he had
been twiling into wreashs: his pretty,
soft, fair hair was damp, and lay in a very
fat and smooth soallop over his full white
forehead.
He looks as if he was well cared FOR"
said Deacon Little. Both men spoke In
hushed tones--it was hard for them TO
realize that the boy could not hear, the
more SO because every time their lips
moved his smile deepeued, He was not
iu the least afraid.
They moved around the room half
guilnly, and surveyed everything. L.
was unlike any apartment that they had
ever entered. 1t had curious sylvan
air; there were heaps of evergreens here
and there, and some small green trees
leaned in one corner. All around the
room-hung on the walls, standing on
rude shelves-were little rough cages or
hutchss, from which the tRittering and
chipping sounded. They contained for
lorn little birds and rabbits ard field
mice. he birds had rough feathers and
small, detected heads, one rabbit had an
injured leg, Que field mouse seemed
nearly dead. The men eyed them sharp
ly. The minister drew a sigh; the des-
cons handsome face looked harder. But
they did not say what they thought, on
account of the little deaf and dumb boz,
whose pleasant blue eyes never left their
faces. When they mad made the circuit
of the room, and stood again by the fire
place, ne suddenly set mp cry It was
wild and inartieulate, still not wholly dis
sonant, aud il seemed to have meaning
OF it's own. 1t united with the cries OF
the little Gagged wild creatures, and it was
ali like q sott clamOr Of eloquent appeal
to the two visitors, but they cOsId uot
understand u.
They stood solemn aud perplexed by
the fire place. Had We better wait til
she comes?' asked the miuiste'.
~ don't know" said Deacon Little.
Back of them arose the tail mantle
shelf On II we're clock aud candle
stick, and regularly iad punches OF bril-
liant dried flowers, ali ready for Jenny
20 putin her basket and cell.
Suddenly there was a quick scrape on
the crusty suow outside, the door dew
open, and Jonas Oarey's wife came IN.
Sse had her shawl over her head aad sne
was painting for bre.th.
Sae stood before the two men, and a
sudden crust of shy formality seemed 60
form over her. GOoa-arternOOn," she