Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-07-25
THE TWO
FATHERS
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The mother was a widow, an indus
trious woman, who worked late and
early in order to support her child, a
little girl between 4 and years old,
pretty as fairy, full Of fun, affection
ate and coaxing as any happy child
could be.
On the opposite side of the landing
Of the fifth floor on which Nine Ell
enne and her daughter Lille lived was
the door Of the apartments inhabited
by two brothers. cabinet makers by
trade and bachelors either by choice
or by chance, no one knew.
One of those days when the intense
heat necessitates the door being left
open in order to get current of air.
the prettiness of Lille attracted the
attention of the two brothers, who
were already past their first youth
and adored children in their quality OF
approaching old bachelorhood From
that sort of intimacy sprung up be
tween the widow and her neighbors.
Little reciprocal services passed be-
tween them. They sometimes made
party of pleasure on the Sunday. 50
we'll did they get on indeed that one
day the eldest of the two brothers said
to the other
"That child would want father
badly"
"That is my opinion Also"
"Would you have any objection TO
my asking the mother to marry meT
"Why should 1? In fact, ] was think
ing Of doing the same myself. But
since you have spoken first follow the
notion up. but on the condition that you
will let me see Lille as often as
like. | love that child as much as II
she were my own"
"Forsooth. You will live with US"
The question agreed upon, the two
brothers, dressed in their best, went
to call on Nine. Etienne. whom how
ever, they found confined to bed. The
evening before she had run in order
to take some work back to the shop
in time; on returning she had caught
a chill, passed n feyerish night and
was not able to rise in the morning.
She begged her neighbors to go for
doctor. 1t was no time to speak OF
marriage.
Inflammation of the lungs carried
away the poor woman in ten days.
Thanks to the two brothers, she had
not to go to the hospital, and until the
last she was able to see her little Iii
lie, whom she earnestly recommended
to them. They swore never to abandon
the child.
The funeral over they took charge
of the little one, kissing her. They
said to one another at the same time
"If you wish, we will never get mar
ried now
They went to live at Vincennes 50
that Lille might have plenty OF good
air and take walks in the wood Ihey
were very proud of their adopted
daughter. When people stopped to look
at them and asked in casual way
which was her father, they replied
Both of u.s."
Lille seemed to like one as well az
the other and called them Uncle Johh
and Uncle James.
When she grew little older they pul
her to school-to young ladies' schooi
be it understood-ta her there
every morning and calling for her II
the evening. SO Lille grew M pc
tween these two affections without
ever feeling the want of father OF
mother.
She cost the brothers n great deai
of money, did the little one, but ban,
they went no longer to the cafe ana
worked n little more than formerly
These supplementary hours were de-
voted to the pleasure and toilet OF ma
demoiselle.
When she was 10 years of age, sue
was the first TO suggest that she shouia
stay st home for the future. at which,
of course, the brothers were enchant
ed. What a charming little house
keeper they had then and with wha1
joyful tenderness she greeted their re-
turn every evening! To say the spoH-
ed child never abused their goodness
would be saying too much, but at ieas'
she seized every available opportunity
Of pleasing them.
Two years passed over so quickly TOT
all Of them that on the day the tNo
men brought cake and bouquet 70
celebrate Lilies birthday they eA'
claimed:
Seventeen years old Is it posi-
ble?'
Bat, yes, 1t was possible. And james
and John thought so much about u
that 1t made them anxious and uh'
happy.
1t was the younger who said one
evening TO the other: