Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-12

and her step buoyant.
IF it wasn't for my mamma" she said,
II would not want to go back forever'n
ever"
When Mr.. Knox, the gentleman in charge
of the party, called to see that Dot would
be ready to return at the appointed time,
Miss Roxbury exclaimed, almost fercely,-
Il can't let her go. need her. Why may
I not keep her?'
Il do not believe her mother would part
with her." said Mr.. Knox.
Miss RoXbury was silent for a few mo-
ments, and looked out on the lawn where
Dot was swinging in hammock with the
doll and cat.
1T will be dull house without the child"
she said, but | will bring her to the sta
ton"
When the morning of Dots departure
came. Miss Roxbury arrayed herself in her
second best black silk, put a few articles in
Satchel, filled a small basket with fresh
eggs, new biscuits, a pat of butter and bot
tie of currant wine, and said to Hannah
Il may be gone two or three days. Have
the east chamber thoroughly aired and dust
ed before | get back, tell Hiram to take a
peck of peas down to Mrs. Alder, don't for
get to see if those canned strawberries have
worked or not, and be sure and keep the
front door bolted, and put that last brood of
chickens in the other coop, and keep anews
paper over the geranium slips in the after
noon"
Eyes, ma'am."
"And Hannah, be very careful to keep out
the flies, and tell Hiram to fix the we'll curb,
He is so apt to forget things
Dot was bathed in tears as she mounted
to her place in the rockaway.
isn't coming back?" she said.
Il hope so, DEAR" replied Miss RoXbury,
who appeared preoccupied and anxious and
scarcely heard Dots chatter on the way to
the station.
'Why, Miss Roxbury," said Mr.. Alder az
he assisted her to the platform, you are
veritable fairy godmother. This rosy, dainty
maiden cannot be the same bit of humanity
that held in NV arm a.fortniVht ago Vn"
will miss her, will you noU?'
II shall go with her to New York, any
way" said Miss RoXbury, land don't mean
to come back alone, either. Mr.. Alder, L.
hope God will forgive me for the empty
house l have had all these long years"
An empty house means lonely heart"
he replied. Pm glad you're going with the
child"
That afternoon Miss Roxbury and Dot,
attended by Mr.. Knox, wendell their way
through dark alley in one of the most
squalid districts of New York City, and
climbed flight after flight of rickety stairs
in rear tenement. The heat, the filth, the
scenes of misery were Undesirable. Miss
RoXbury felt as if she were on the confines
of the bOttOmleSS pit
Dot darted down a long passage and dis
appeared III room beyond. The friends
followed and beheld her clasped tightly in
the arms of a wan figure that lay on the
couch. The woman had tainted.
Mamma, mamma, look at mep pleaded
Dot beginning to cry.
There was no water in the room, and Mr..
Knox took a cracked pitcher from the shelf
and went with Dot in search of some. Miss
RoXbury knelt beside the woman, who was
only about thirty years of age and had been
very attractive as a young girl. There was
CLEAN of gold on her left hand. Her hair
was sunny like Dots and her features deli
cately shaped. The letter that Miss Rox.
bury had written lay crumpled and tear
stained on the pillow.
While Miss RoXbury gaZed the woman
opened her eyes. They were beautiful eyes,
but sad with want and struggle against
despair. She tried to sit up and moaned,-
MY DdDy' --plCotot give InC my DdDy'
Just then Dot returned and carried the
pitcher of water to her mother, who drank
long and eagerly; then holding out her arms
to Dot, said feebly to Miss ROXbury,-
ooh, madam, will you take care of my
little girl? l think Pm going to die"
you're not going to die-not bit of it."
said Miss RoXbury, pouring out some wine
into teacup, but I'll take care of you
both. There, drink this, and you'll feel bet
ter right away. How long since you've had
anything to eat?'
DAY before yesterday" was the faint re-
ply. II had to stop work four days ago."
'Now, Mr.. Knox" said Miss Roxbury,
slipping her purse into his hand, ''just step
out tc the nearest grocery and order some
kindling wood and tea md sugar. I'll poach
nice, fresh egg for tbs poor soul, and then
Well see about getting her out of this
place."
The woman's face frightened, but she
said
'I'm giving you much trouble"
''rrouble!' said Miss Ro bury. "I'm all
alone in the world, and I've house with
twenty-four rooms in it, and plenty to do
with, and what I've been thinking Of all
these years l can't say. I've been crusty,
cold, disagreeable old fossil, Mrs. Winthrop,
and when come down here and find folks
starving to death and crowded like cattle,
wonder the good Lords had any mercy on
me. Don't you worry another mite. Here's
the fire stuff already"
Miss ROxbury rolled up her sleeves, put
an apron over her silk skirt, and while Mr..
Knox built fire and brought water to heat,
she bathed Mrs. Winthrop's face and hands,
and brushed out her lovely hair.
THANK God! why, Pm better already"
said Mrs. Winthrop, with rare smile.
"Of course you are, child" said Miss Rox.
bury. well see what good food and noun
tain air will do for you"
A few days later found an occupant in the
great east chamber of the RoXbury house.
Mrs. Winthrop sat in an easy chair before
the open window inhaling the fragrance OF
the poisoning honeysuckle that nodded to
her through the easement. The morning
sunlight fell across her bright hair and
peaceful face. Dot hung over her shoulder
and threw daisies in her lap.
Down by the garden fence stood Miss
RoXbury, talking with her neighbor, Mrs.
Lane. Mrs. Winthrop smiled from her
window, and there came an answering smile
from the depths of the purple calico sum
bonnet.
$50 you're really going to keep them?"
said Mrs. Lane.
Yes, I've adopted them both," replied
Miss Roxbury, with TIE Deum in her voice,
'and Eve sent for half dozen little girls
to stay until cold weather comes"
''Well, it does beat all" said Mrs. Lane,
wiping her eyes ON the corner of her check
ed gingham apron. II s'pose l needn't ask
you now, Reliance, what you think of the
Fresh-Air Fund?''
what do 1 think Of it?' said Miss Rox.
bury, gravely;'1 believe it's been the means
of saving my SOU. l should have gone into
the next world holding my head pretty high,