Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-12-24

ben, Win lace as req as peOn.
tried to explain, but the men shouted
in derision.
"'Top your laughin', bad men!" the
child ordered, shaking her tiny fist
Use Rhena, papa Ben's Rhena, an
fnded him in the woad, an now
wants my supper.
The men laughed the heartier at hel
spunk, and crowded around for look
One tried to lift her from the seat, but
she threw her arms around Ben's
neck and Rugged him so tightly, that
he could hardly speak. Besides, he
was growing angry, for the mems
jokes were not exactly pleasant to
bear, but the abGurdity Of the situa
ton came over him, and he joined In
the laugh.
And she'g better lookin' kid than
any of you roundheads have, fll bet,
he called to the Swedes, land If she
wants me for dad | don't know as
it's anybody's business but ours"
And he is my own dood papa Ben, >
the child affirmed from her perch on
| his shoulder, as Ben carried her
through the crowd of men into the
long eating room where the table was
laid for supper.
What on earth, Bradley, have you
got there?" both the cook and fore
man asked in surprise. Thought you
. told us when you came here, that you
wasn't married"
so did" said Ben stocally.
And / know that you hain't got
married these last six months either"
said the cook.
That's SO" repeated Ben.
yet whose child is that?" demanded
4, the foreman.
mime"
Yours? ?"
Yes. ask the kid"
He's my papa. | finded him, an
wants my supper. Has you dot any
mix for Rhena?" and she turned
towards the cook.
/ Not a drop, you blessed baby we
h don't have mix In the Camps, but ~
fix you up something good In a min.
ute and he vanished into the leanto
of the shanty, which was the kitchen.
Ben put the child down by the table,
and when the men stopped joking he
told all he knew about her appearance.
Each and every one had q different
theory, few believing that she was
Bens. and her mother had taken that
means of sending her to her Father,
and quite n theory was formed aboug
his DESERVING his wife and child.
But that version of the chid's APP
pearance amused Ben nightly. He
had always been such hater of
women that he had never spoken to
one except when obliged to since his
earliest manhood. Children he had
never noticed at all, but the striking
beauty and helplessness of this little
one, as well as her adoption of him,
had aroused feeling of affection, and
| by bedtime he had made up his mind
to keep her until her parents should
be found,
She'll have to sleep with you,
Ben" said the foreman, "for she won't
go to anyone else. Can you undress
herr"
Ben looked at her helplessly, She
was n drowsy little heap in his arms.
II wouldn't know how to unbutton her
shoes" he answered.
The foreman had Investigated the
valise, and held ont a dainty little
night robe. This child belongs to
we'll off people know enough about
chldren's clothes for that; and be
sides, she Is of good blood, no common
breed about her. See how delicate she
is, like a fine piece of china, my wife
would say. Bradley. I'll tell you what
I'll do. for I'm sure my wife will be
willing. Wen take her home, and in
case her folks are not found adopt
her. for she's just the age of the little
girl we lost, you know"
Ben felt sudden tightening Of his
heart strings, Il thank you kindly
Mr. Brown. but--but-woll you see It's
this way. never had home, was
sent to children's home, and stayed
there until big enough to work, with
nobody, no woman or child to care for
and nobody to care for me, and now
I'm 26 years old, and this little thing
is the first one who ever said she
loved me, and you heard her say that
tonight. Aud SO I've kind of made up
my mind that If nobody claims her,
aud | hope they won't, I'll keep her
myself. The old lady that boards me
will look out foor her too, guess. for
the sake Of the cash"
you're 4 queer one, Bradley. Nor
many young fellows would adopt
kid like that. Hear the wind rise! II
tomorrow does not bring whooping
blizzard then I'm no weather prophet,
And If to-day had not been spring
instead of winter this kid would nave
died left as she was. Curse that Belle.
Brown. II you ever come across her. do