Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-12
Yes, dear, you'll have all the flowers you

The mother did not sleep. As the light of
another day of misery crept into the room.
she raised herself on one elbow and looked
long at her child, restraining an impulse to
snatch it to her heart, then softly rose, and
after oatnlng ner face and hands and Kneei-
ing in prayer for endurance, took to her
work and sat down by the narrow window.
A few hours later she stood amid the hustle
OF the Grand Central Depot with Dot cling
ing to her dress. A crowd of wondering, eX-
pectant children were being marshalled into
line to take their places on the eastward
bound train
Come" said the kind gentleman, in
charge, to Dot.
Dot kissed her mother 'good-by," and
laughed even while the tears ran down her
face, as she entered the ranks of the odd
procession.
oh, sir" said the mother as she turned
away, take good care of my baby. I've
nothing else in the world"
There was an unusual stir in the village
of Lynford. The railway station was throng-
ed with people and surrounded by vehicles
awaiting the afternoon train.
Rev. Joseph Alder and the ministers of
sister churches conversed together on the
platform.
"A glorious charityI' said the Baptist
minister, raising his hat to wipe the pelspi-
ration from his brow.
Il expect that these poor children will be
great blessing to our people" said the
Methodist minister, ''in broadening the SYM
pathieS and warming the hearts of some who
have been obliviOus to all interests save
their own"
YES" said Rev. Mr.. Alder, Il have q
practical illustration of that, not stones
throw from where / am standing"
The practical illustration" consisted of
the RoXbury rockaway drawn up amid the
other conveyances, with Miss Reliance on a
back seat in state of mind in which newly
f1edged philanthropy struggles with terror
of ragamuffins. She had come to the con.
clusion that her visit to the parsonage had
been made during an attack of mental aher-
raIlOn; out the word OF koXDury was as
immOvable as the historic granite on which
Jephaniah RoXbury stepped from the May
flower in 1920, and the last representative of
the race would not falter now, although
seized with dire apprehension whenever her
eyes rested on the yerbena bed.
1t was with grim determination to brave
the worst that she awaited the train that af-
tern0On, but when the locomotive appeared
on the bridge below the village, the thought
Of the dreadful boy who was coming to
invade her peaceful domain nearly over
came her, and her impulse was to order the
hired man to drive home as quickly as pos
sible. She could appreciate the emotions of
a Roman dame at the approach of the Van
ialS.
AS the train stopped at the station the
people crowded forward to welcome their
guests. Miss RoXbury peered anXiOusly from
the rOckaway. 1t was not very appalling
sight. A group of pale little children, tired,
dusty and bewildered. Many eyes overflow
ed as the train moved on and left these visit
full faces, pinched by want and misfortune,
in the midst of the kindly villagers.
Here, Miss ROXbury, is a wee lamb for
you' said Mr.. Alder.
Miss ROXbury had not observed his ap-
pr0ach in the crowd, and gave start of sur
prise as he stood before her. As she looked
there was curious sensation under the left
side of her Grape shawl, and her cold gray
eyes grew misty.
The dreadful boy'' had changed into a
tiny girl of six years, as frail as a SnOWdrop,
whose coarse attire could not mar the lowell
ness of her eyes and hair of tangled sun
beams. The little creature stretched out her
arms to Miss Roxbury, who reached forward
and took her into the rockaway, the ancient
springs of which creaked with establishment.
''What is your name?" said Miss Roxbury,
feeling strangely awkward, as they drove
along.
Dot" said the child. "You hasn't kissed
me yet has you"'
Miss RoXbury bent and kissed the child.
The rockaway creaked louder than before.
The touch of the child's mouth thrilled
through the iron nerves of the woman with
a sensation inexpressibly delightful.
Miss Roxbury had imagined her life to be
a happy one. She now discovered that she
had mistaken selfish isolation for happiness
She was beginning to be happy for the first
time in fifty years. Dot was too tired to be
very talkative, but she leaned against Miss
Roxbury with look Of quiet wonder and
content in her eyes.
rs [ going to stay here?" she asked as
the rockaway stopped at the ROXblry gate
and she surveyed the old stone house with
the woodbine clambering over its gray walls.
Yes, child"
Dots face grew luminous. A bath, a
bcuntiful supper of bread and milk and a
walk in the garden kept her joyful until
twilight, but with bedtime came the longing
for her mother.
II wants my mamma-nly own mamma y
she said.
Then Miss RoXbury gave vent to the in
stinct that can never be utterly destroyed
in woman. Taking the child in her LAP
she careSsed the white face and sunny curls
in restful, soothing way, and talked SO
cheerfully that the shadows fell from the
violet eyes, and Dot, nesting close, said,-
81 love YOU"
Miss RoXbury had not only begun to be
happy; she bad begun to live. With the
coming of this sweet child Heaven was
changing the dull prose of her existence in
to celestial rhythm. Her cold, lovelesS ma
ture in the presence of this tiny girl was al
ready becoming Christ-like in its tender
ministry.
Dot offered her evening prayer and was
put in Miss RoXhury's own stately bed.
Goodnight, DEAR" said Miss Roxbury.
with kiss.
Goodnight" said Dot, burying her face
In the great bunch of lovely white roses she
had brought to bed with her; Il feel zif I'd
died and gone to Heaven"
Miss RoXbury passed wakeful night but
not restless one. Her mind was filled with
plans, and then it was such a pleasure to lie
and listen to the soft breathing at her side.
and occasionally to touch the little hand Gu
the counterpane still holding the treasured
roses.
The next day Dot ran nearly wild with de
light. She reveled among the daisies in the
deep, soft grass, and it was pitiful to see
how small an object could charm her hungry
mind. Gods commonest gifts were unknown
to her in their bounty and purity. Sunshine
sweet air, flowers and bird songs were
enough to make her happy, and when she
found the brook that danced across the
meadow her delight was unbounded.
After day or two Miss R0Xbury took
the morning train down to BradleyVille tc
do some shopping. She was gone until