Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-09-12

|
girlish trust; and after a few more
wild embraces Of the strong man, who
for the first tine failed to return them,
she crept to the miEe-owners side
Not quite the lass you would will
| ing choose" said an insolent and care
| less collier.
| Not more than 10 summers had
passed over the little girls head, and
the years which to the children Of
wealth glide by like a summer cloud
! she had passed in toll and privation.
But the sooty face was chiseled as
delicately as that Of a Greek statue
| The great hazel eyes had a wonderful
! depth Of expression, and the hair.
though tangled, was luxuriant, and as
light flashed over it, it seemed to i'm
prison a thousand sunbeams. Her
dress was Of the coarsest materials
and covered with coal dust; but to the
thought an unpromising girl, this at
! tire was like the dim setting of bril-
| liant jewel. She had heard the re-
mark OF the one insolent miner, and
her eyes filled with tears as young
horse.
At length she stopped and endeav-
ored to withdraw herself from his
! grasp.
"What do you mean?' asked her
new guardian. "Ah, l see you do not
J like me. You would rather not go
| with me-"
''No, nor faltered the child. ''but
heard what Jim Welsh said and I'm
afraid you won't find any place for
, such as l in your fine house"
| ''Welsh made a foolish speech" said
Morris, "Dut l wouldn't pay any at
I tentiOn to it. Don't think Of it, and
be assured you will never be any bur-
, den to me. Remember that | owed
your father my life, and it is as little
as | can do to take care of his only
child especially since he lost his own
life in my service
) Il can work." said Jennie, thought
fully. II did a good deal for father
l kept house for him three years, and
he said l was much better than them
he hired
Il have no doubt you are an ener-
getic little lady. Sit here"
! And he lifted her tenderly into his
saddle
''Sit here while l give some direc-
, tons about your fathers burial
' Jennie's lip quiyered. Once more
she burst into tears, and her grief
grew almost frantic when she saw her
father borne away on a rude litter.
That night she remained in the cot
tage beside the corpse, and several Of
the neighbOrs kept a solemn vigil with
the dead. But the next day, when the
last sod was heaped upon the silent
heart of Bob Jones, she was taken
into Mr.. Norris carriage. She had
no eye for the prancing steeds or the
plate glass and the luXuriaIt cushions,
but when the mine owner let down
the window and pointing to hillside
said: THAT is hereafter TO be your
home" she gazed long and earnestly
at the stately house with its gables
and pretty balconies. Soon afterwards
they entered a large park, and, like
one in a strange dream, little jennie
Jones wound through its lofty dimness
and glided across the threshold Of her
strange and new home.
AS they walked up the staircase d
stately woman, with olive complexion
and black hair and eyes, came forward
to meet young Morris with childish
eagerneSS of manner.
'tWell, who is this?" she asked, as
her glance fell on the miners daugh-
ter.
: 'My-my ward-my adopted child"
said Morris, heSitatingly. ALLOW ne
to introduce you
But the lady drew back with chill
ing haughtmess.
What new folly is this?" she cried.
where did you pick her up?'
Il will tell you later when we meet
at dinner"
Jennie tightened her clasp of his
hand, and he conducted her through
room after room till they reached a
remote room Of the building. Then
Morris tapped at the door and pleas
ant voice answered Come in" He
drew his protege into 4 -heerful apart
ment, lighted by tall wax candles. An
elderly lady, who was sitting in a
great armchair rose and advanced
to meet the pair with a smile.
80" she said, you have brought
home another object Of charity, l see.
She needs both food and clothes For
herself, and something to carry back
to her parents and little brothers AMI
sisters
"She has none" rejoined Morris.
And then he told her how the young
; orphan had been solemnly committed
to his care by one who had saved him
from drowning, and thus placed him
under lasting obligation.
Poor child" murmurad Morris
mother. Poor child!''
And she Smoothel the little girls
: disordered hair with a gentle hand.
Il promised the dying man l would
; protect her." resumed Morris.
You did right" said his mother.
Il acknowledge" he continued, that
young man of q seems scarcely a
suitable person to take charge OF q
child of 10, but l shall trust you,
mother, to make up for all defcien-
cies.'
! Il shall be glad to have ner with
l me. The house is lonesome when you
: are aWay 1t will be pleasant to have