The Georgetown news., 1856-04-03
Little Children and the Work they Do.

said Miss Trimmer, who with two or three
pattern hats and box of artificial flowers,
was the last one to enter, Notwithstanding
the Inconvenience to which she put her fel-
low passengers.
The village squire-never too amiable-
was returning from court, where he had
been non-suited in case involving about
one-fftieth part of his estate; of course, he
was morose and impatient.
A worn-looking woman was trying to
quiet restless baby by tossing it up where
there was not room to toss bird, because
q simpering school girl on the next seat had
whispered aloud to her very young gallant
| that "babies were a nuisance in a stage
coach, and that she should think any one
would rather stay at home than travel with
one." Poor, unfortunate baby! poor, SEN
sitive, widowed mother! Theirs was no
pleasure trip; they were going, uncertain of
a welcome, to rich relative of the newly
dead the only one ca earth of whom they
could ask for aid. Comfort or pity the
mother did not look for.
ltwas between these and the surly Squire
that Miss Trimmer inserted herself. AT the
cruel remark Of the incipient belle, the wild
oW turned her head to wipe away tear,
when her innocent half-yearling graSped
with her plump hand huge bunch of hon
eysuckles and carnation rinks which dan
gled from the near side Of Miss Trimmer's
bonnet.
''WiE no one take pity on me?' shrieked
the bearer of the flower burden. "WIl no
gentleman shield me from annoyances?"
Eyes, madam, | WILL" answered az old
gentleman who sat in corner, resting his
ohin upon the ivory head of his cane.
The lady was soon safely installed in the
seat farthest removed from the vicious baby
and the old man in her place.
Now this cramped-up child was perfect
democrat. She did not know that she was
poor and fatherless; nor that, when he lived
her father was hard working brick-layer.
She knew nothing of all this, and seemed to
think she had as good right to shout and
crow as any other baby, and to pull flowers
out OF bonnets, too, if she would.
Her first effort was to secure his white
beard, but that was immoyable. She next
reached out her hand for the seals, and last
grasped the cane
"Well, little imp" cried the dear old
man, "if you want to get at my seals, you
had better come little nearer"
So he took the willing club from the
weary mother, and installed her on his own
knee. The poor woman Strengthened her
self and drew long breath, as if relieved
from burden she had not strength to bear.
"Y ou look tired, madam; have you come
far to-day" asked the merciful man.
Give held the baby, sir, thirty-six hours
in the cars, before | got into the coach"
she answered with quivering lip.
Il don't see how any one can take care
of tiresome baby" again whispered the
little Miss.
Somebody held us all once, and took
care of US too, my child" replied the old
| gentleman, whose ears were too keen to
lose her remark. "Children must be taken
care of; they have their work to do, and
they generally do it faithfully" And he
ratified his seals and key again for the happy
child.
The mother cast look of unmingled
gratitude on her benefactor-yes, benefac-
tor he was, though he had never given a
crust nor copper-for kind words are oft
en- better than either. This good man alone,
of all the passengers-sav the unconscious
baby-seemed to be at his ease.
AT length the horses stood still, and all
seemed pleased at the prospect of having
the company thinned. Miss Trimmer look
ed hopefully at the widow and baby, but
they did not move. An anxious, care-worn
gentleman began to unwedge himself pre-
paratory to alighting. Then, in the deep
ening twilight, there bounded from the
dwelling, beside which the coach had halt.
ed, a curly-headed boy of four years.
80, pa, pa" as the paternal head emerg
ed from the coach door, "I've good news fol
you; you can't guess what has happened to
dayv' And clapping his chubby hands and
dancing for JOY, he exclaimed, 80, papa, the
baby'S got TOOTH"
There was sudden revulsion of feeling
in the coach. The passengers all laughed
heartily at the vast Importance of the news
from that little world, home. Miss Trim
mer put her head out of the coach window
and exclaimed, "What darling little fel-
low!" The coachman forgot to crack his
whip for whole minute, as he gazed at the
happy boy The father turned round
smiled, raised his hat and said "good-bye
to his fellow travellers. The surIy Squire
laughed and drew home his feet, which had
all the way been stretched out on the wild
ow's territory, to her great inconvenience
saying, "Beg your pardon, ma'am." Ever
Miss Trimmer was softened, for she opened
the cover of her reticule and gave the Of
Tending baby stick of candy, saying
"Poor little thing, she must have something
to amuse her."
"Well,' cried the laughing school girl
II do love children after all-they are SC
funny | can't help it!''
"Never try to help it, child" said the ba
by's benefactor. "They ought to be loved
for they do great deal for US grown folks
Now don't you see, that rosy boy, with the
news of the great acquisition to his family
r II