Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1906-10-11

away.
"Oh, shut up! Stop your foolish talkr'
grandma commanded fretfully.
Ann Eliza came In from the garden,
both her hands full of dewy roses.
Here, Take these aud fix the parlor
vases" she commanded .Iessica.
Jessica shook her head aud turned
toward the door. Grandma had weak
ened senslbly; she was on the point OF
mumbling out an apology But as
Ann Eliza cried pettlslly, II wish
you'd look at that; told YOU what
would come of setting beggars GA
horseback" her anger famed up hot.
ter than ever.
you do as you're told" she cried.
catching Jessica by the shoulders and
trying to shake her, You say you
want to work for Twin; prove it by
waitin' on Your betters."
Jessica set her teeth hard, broke
from the quavery hold and rushed
away At the steps she stopped,
smiled bitterly aud shook the dust
from her feet over her shoulder she
big gate in an hour; by then | s.llll
know exactly what we can do
Ten minutes later she stood in the
Wakefield yard facing Jimmy, with
her heart beating so il half suffocated
her she had 50 dreaded to tell what
must be told-to ask the help that was
imperative. 1t was not much, only to
~
longings to The poorhouse, Any shelter
would be better than the Cole root.
There was nobody else she could ask.
Jimmy was the ouly friend within
walking distance-moreover. the single
person TO whom she could bring her
self to make such appeal She was,
In n way. bound to make It, She had
promised. when she denied him that
dearer promise, To call on him If she
found herself in need OF him. Now
she was blessing him silently that he
haG not asked anything; had listened
only to what she cared to tell and
said afterward. with little soothing
touch on her hand. You did right to
come to me, Icssy O. course III take
you anywhere you may want to 60"
You. you must only senu us. Black
Billy can take us in the wagon.
Grandma will be so angry if she knows
you helped us escape" Jessica had
answered, but at that Jimmy only
smiled.
Very shortly he made her sit down
on the bench under tie big elm and
went away whstling. 20 reappear, ali
in a whiffet, driving Il spanking pair
which drew Il double seated vehicle
spick and span.
Il think we'd better make the trip
quick one" was all he said in an
swer to Jessy's eXpostula ton.
Almost before she knew it she was
sitting beside him. bowling along the
turnpike at the teams best pace. AS
quickly her mother WAS gathered up,
and, the hand luggage properly be-
slowed. Jimmy amazed Jessy by bid
ding her sit behind, adding. Il want to
talk to mammy-and these horses don't
let me turn my head for any consider
able time"
Jessy began to feel desperately lone
ly-she could not even divert herself
by watching the dazzle of the flying
spokes as the wheels spun round.
Jimmy was driving very fast, and
keeping to the turnpike. 1t must be he
meant to take them through town.
that. no doubt, accounted for his choice
of n rig She knew he hated n shabby
outtit-especially upon Saturdays and
court days 1t might be lie had bust
ness that could not wait-but some
how she felt that he was unkind to
think of anything but her extremity.
Then she sank into Il sort of daze, won
dering duly how it would seem to ind
herself 4 pauper, duly committed. She
had not thought of that before-of
course there were legal forms before
they could claim the last refuge of the
destitute. and would not the authori-
ties get back at grandma? She had Il
dim idea that well TO do folk had to
answer for their near kin.
No doubt that was what Jimmy was
speaking about-he was talking low
and eagerly to mamma. Yes, he was
turning IDt DDTStS lONdlu tut NpNi J.
house square. In wink they drew
up there, and Jimmy, springing down
held out his arms to her. you know
there re-arrangemcnts-w will youtrust
me to make them?" he asked very low.
Jessica could only bow her head;
speech was beyond her. Jimmy looked
ut her, his eyes tender, yet mischievous'
II want to commit you for life to a
poorhouse of which | am keeper lie
whispered Mamma is willing What
do you sayT'
Nothing" Jessica said, but as she
said It she laid her hand in Jimmy's
stroug clasp, and dropped her long
dashed lids to veil a rush of happy
tears.
A CIocI. Run by Man Power.