Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-24

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ment his silhouette dsrkened the little
light which entered through the greenisb
glass of the window; then he disappeared
and Amelia returned back again to the
hearth.
She did not cry; there are blows that
break the heart, and others that kill the
body, without making either tears or
blood flow, and these are not the less
painful. She looked at her past life as
one looks at work Ill done-a failure.
1t was on winters day like this that
her dying mother had been carried to the
poOrhouse, holding her in her arms. The
only word which the poor creature had
been able to pronounce was name
Amelia. Was It Der own or that of her
child, then three years old? What did it
matter. The child was called Amelia;
they buried the mother, and all was
over.
Old James, who was not young then,
had picked up the little creature when
she was about seven years old-she had
belonged to pobody-and had prom oted
her TO the rank of servant. Servant-a
| child who was only beggari That was
| a change in social position, and Amelia
was grateful to the old man for having
raised her to that dignity. Very small,
! but Intelligent and docile, she had served
him according to her childish strength
often beyond it-askirg no other wages
than her daily bread.
| The old man was gross and rude, and
often spoke too roughly; but he had
never struck the orphan, restrained, per
haps by that misfortune which had no
other protection. Amelia's life had
rolled on in this cabin, between the COWS
and the chickens, without joys, without
| hopes, without dreams Of a future. OF
| what could she dream?
| JOHN noticed her one day; then he
made love to her. On st. Johns day he
had chosen her for the dance. Then it
was that the girls heart had known the
| pride of being loved and the humber
| Joy of loving.
| She did not love the old man; she
feared hiW. She loved the little calves
and the kids; all of these pets had dis
appeared in the wagon that carried pro-
duce to tom. Foundlings have no
friends among those of their own age;
their relations are sure to say to them,
"We don't know where she comes 'FRONT.'
You must know where any one comes
from before you show her any tender
ness!
John loved her! He preferred her to
all others! Her poor little heart swelled
with gratitude at the thought that he, the
handsomest and best in the village, die
not despise foundling. She loved him
with all her strength, for she tasted for
the first time of tenderness ard love.
Now he was going to be married. He
had had enough of her! Not enoue b,
L
semblance she shivered at the insult,
hiding in her two hands her dry and
burning eyes and her forehead, red with
shame.
He had not loved her-tbat was plain.
While she had dreamed of consecrating
life to him, imagine the acts of i'm oossi-
lie devotion to lay at his feet, he was
seeking mere pastime to while away
the period leading up to the marriage!
A deep, irrevocable bitterness found It's
way to the heart of this child, to whom
no one had taught resignation, and who
revolted against injustice. Anger and
| resentment, these were to be her daily
com panions.
| Nothing is more cruel TO an innocent
soul than the sudden entrance of wicked
feelings, piercing the heart like cold
/
even harder to endure than the wrong
which causes them to arise. Alas! say
what they may, it is not from choice that
any one becomes bad; the apprenticeship
20 sin has many a torture!
While Amelia was torn by rage and in
! dignation, the outer door opened, and the
old man entered covered with snow. He
shook himself upon the threshold and
entered his dwelling without one friendly
word for her who kept the hearth.
"Well," he exclaimed, shows the cow?''
'She is no BETTER" answered the little
| servant mechanically.
Il must go to her." grumbled James,
going out again.
| She had resumed her meditatious and
was dreaming of some revenge, when
old man re-entered, his eyebrows brist-
| ling, his hands shaking, in an upgov-
ernable passion.
"She is deadr' he cried, striking his
stick upon the stone sill; 'she is cold,
and you, you good-for nothing, you
| haven't even looked at her"
81 did go, MASTER" Amelia answered,
getting up; Il thought could do moth
ing and di1 not GO again"
"You lie," cried the old man shaking
with rage; you haven't put your foot
out OF doors! You we're afraid of the
cold, you are as dainty as a fiue lady; you
| stayed here to warm your feet"
He had come to the glass door, and
there he perceived the fOotmarks which
the snow had not yet entirety concealed
| The weather had lightaned a little, the
white flakes had almost ceased falling
"Hold on!" he cried, stammering with
rage, "this is why you took no care OF
the cattle, why you have done nothing
Made mouselle has a lover who comes to
see her; the converse together instead OF
working! A lover! a lover for 'Melia
What soapegraoe would court such a Cir
as 5hatv
Amelia smiled bitterly and crossed hel
arms to wait for his snger 90 pass.
"a lover! for founding! A wretched
girl that had the kindness to pick up
who has never helped me at anything
Since you came TO my house misfortune
has followed me. Before that l was rich
and 1 saved something; now, money goes
one doesn't know where. You have
brought me bad luck, bind of Ill omen
[ will put back in the street what have
taken from the street where I ought Il
have left it. What fool was that day !.
The clear voice of Amelia rose all q
once and drowned the enraged reproach-
es of the old man.
II have brought you bad luck, master
it may be so but did not intend to.
have worked my best and l asked no pay
IF have brought you bad luck l am GO
ing to give You another chance for I an
going away. and I shall cost nothing
more"
The troubled eyes of the old man me
the clear and disdainful glance of thu
young girl. Within the hour she haC