Litchfield enquirer., 1858-10-28
From the Sunday Times. THE MYSTERIOUS BABY,
BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.

We had just taken our seats at the tea table, one evening when flash of lightning and a heavy peal of thunder told us that the storm we had been expecting all day had at last broken over the city with fury which betok- ened it was uo passing shower, and bades us ext pect long and terrible tempest. f No chance of interruption tonight, l thought, as opened the pages of work of my favorite author, and seated myself in my little rocking chair. l was mistaken however, for hardly had perused three sentences, when a ring, hard and imperative, sounded through the house.
 "Who can it possibly be on such night as this ?' l said, running to open the door myself, while Psalter followed me iuto the hall, for the same idea had taken possession of our minds at the same moment-namely that some acci- dent had happened to Toms family, and that he had sent for us. Tom himself stood indeed, ! ing large bundle in his arms, which he extend ell towards me with the laconic observation, Take it." l received the burden, but almost dropped it again, so overcome was l with astonishment, for, if you will believe me, it was nothing more nor less than a young--a very young-baby- | Il do not wonder that you are surprised, Emma," said Tom, in answer to my start, l suppose, for had not spoken. "Just wrap it up in something dry, and I'll tell you all about
 The poor little thing really needed to he taken care of, for it was nearly wet through ly the rain, and it's cunning wet feet were cold as ice and while did the very best in my power for it, Tom narrated the following adventure ::
 You know, 1 suppose" he began, "that have been up to New York for few days, but you do not know that returnrd this morning about five o'clock. Just as l stepped from the cars, 1 noticed woman with a baby in her arms, who was walking in the same direction with myself We had proceeded some dist ance, when she turned suddenly, and began to ejaculate Billy, Billy where is little Billy Have you seen a little boy with a blue jacket and straw hat, following me, sir ? replied in the negative. Oh, dearr she exclaimed, with every appearance of genuine alarm o, dear ! l must have left him on the cars Won't l you be so kind as to hold the baby, sir--i il not be gone two minutes-while 1 run after him? Oh, Billy, Billy " 1 Eever for one mo- ment suspected that the woman was acting, her alarm seemed so perfectly natural so took the baby, and she went atte, Billy
 And stayed, l suppose" interrupted.
 "Yes-she did not come back" replied Tom although I waited for two hours, until | that terrible rain came on, when 1 concluded to bring the child here. 1 declare, could not believe l had been taken in, she was such a respectable looking woman"
 I laughed.
 How could you allow yourself to be i'm I poco1 in cbollo 2:' said John, with an air of sage experience, edi- flying to behold. "I should have seen through the trick at once. I should have said--' Wo- man, your design is too evident--you wish to rid yourself of your offspring but you cannot deceive me"
 "No, you wouldn't, John," I interrupted :; "you would never have even thought of such speech. But, Tom, what do you intend to do with the baby ? And why did you not take 1t home to Jane, in the first place 7"
 Tom looked confused.
 "Well," he said, after pause, "I have 1 heard Jane express some peculiar opinions on such subjects, and, to tell the truth, did not know how she might take it. l cart bear to take the child to the almshouse, and wish you would take charge of it until I can find fla vorable opportunity to break the matter to Jane. Just at present really would not like to attempt it."
 I was very, very foolish, or I never would have given my consent to such thing :; but, somehow, against my own better judgment, acquiesced in the arrangement, and when the storm had in some measure subsided, Tom de- parted, leaving the child in my care
 Such an manageable, itempered baby was never seen before, I do believe It cried and no wonder--all night. was fairly worn out before morning.
 ] After breakfast, 1 examined the baby's clothes which Hepsiba had washed and ironed They were of good quality and well made. Evidently the child had not belonged to very poor people, and had been properly taken care of. l was very much puzzled to account for it's desertior. After dressing and feeding the babe, laid down on my lounge, in hopes of enjoying little rest but scarcely had my head touched the pillow, when Hepsiba inform ed me that I was wanted in the paror." obeyed the summons, and found Tom waiting for me. He was in great trepidation. Jane was coming to spend the afternoon with me, and he begged me very earnestly to keep his secret just little while
 "I will tell her the whole story myself, very soon," he pleaded but l must choose ft- ting opportunity, or she will never credit word of it. Jane gets little out of sorts, you know, now and then so cont tell her at present i; that's good girl"
 l knew that sister-in-law was in the habit of having long sulky fits, during which she laid in wait, as it were, ready to bounce upon any of Toms faults, and punish him for them to the best of her ability, and I understood Toms re- mark.
 But how shall account for the baby ?" inquired
 70, say it has been left in your care-make some excuse for it's presence Women can al-