Nebraska advertiser., 1860-01-12
Whose ChiId is That?

! "Ihdre, do shet up now your everlast-
ia cryin' and moanin'; Pm thankful yoa
are goin' 10 the alms-honse afore night.
so you'll be out Of nay way, for IT'S a lit-
tie too much to have ones neighbors die,
and leave their brats to be taken care of
by folks that happen 10 have six Of their
own" The drivers wife thus delivered
her opinions as she held up a brown mug
for the pint Of milk which was daily de-
posted therein.
She was a coarse, large woman, with a
loud, sharp voice, and. a harrassed, fret
ful face, and this last had some apology
IN her life Of constant care and toll, and
struggling with poverty.
Whose child is that? asked the milk.
man, broad-shouldered, sun-burnt farm
er, as he looked down on the small, pale
face, which had not net It's third birth
day, and down which the pitiful tears we're
slowly washing, as the child moancd for
It's mother.
80, it's Miss Warmers. She lived In
the south chamber, and took in SEWN;
bot las week she went of suddenly. and,
as told John, it's a pity she couldn'ta
carried her y-ung 'un with her, for IL.
moans all day after its nanny, and we
have got more'n we can we'll do 70 put
bread and butter in our own children's
mouths, lettin' alone our ueighbors. - H
"Won't you como to me o. asked the
milkman, and he SAT down his pint nIea-
sure, and held out his great freckled
hands and then the little one rose and
troued up to him, the tears standing slill
for wonder in the sweet, blue eyes.
The small arms climbed about the mans
neck, and the little golden head was laid.
trustingly against his strong breast and
he looked down on the sorrowful little
face, contrasting so strongly with the ro-
bust, coarse features Of the drivers chil-
dren, and many thoughts rose and went
up and down the mans soul in this wise,
"l'm sorry for you, from the bottom ofmy
heart, you poor little puny thing, with
your mother in the grave, and nObodyto
care for you IN the WIDE. wide world
They'll send you 20 the alms-hOuse, and
it's likely they'll hustle you round there,
and abuse you in the worst fashion.
"What if il was one Of our little folks
at home now-I declare the thoughts q
little more than ! can stand, and I've a
good will to take you along with me. It's
true we ant very fOrehanded, and we've
got eight Of our own, and mother'll look
down struck at FIRST, but when she comes
to look at that little sorrcwfuI face o.
yourn, she'll jest say in her soft, quiet
way, Jacob, you did right-the Lord IS
not goin' to forget this either So guess
III take you along, if you're disposed to
90. See here, Mrs Watson, YOU need
n'l trouble yourself to send this young 'un
o the alms-house, I'll take it if you have
no objection"
The drivers wife set down her milk
mug in blank astoDishment ''No, ant
no objections" she answered, san I'm
glad 10 think the child's pervided for;
but it does beat me, to think you're goin'
10 take it.
So the milkman went out Of the door
With those soft arms about his neck, aud
he downy cheek pressed up against his
,rown one, while there wandered I'D and
lOwn bis heart, like a sweet. solemn air,
illing it with Joy and melody, "Inasmuch
IS ye have done it unto the least Of these,
Te have done it unto me. - Eirginia z.
Ternshsad.