Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1865-03-29

the bright needles more deftly, and grand
mother settling herself to her sofa and
tea, began.
at was clear, beautiful night in early
summer, eighteen years ago, as l was sit
ting here with the moonlight streaming
across the floor, thinking sadly of the
husband just laid away under the willows
in the church-yard, ring came from the
door-bell. | thought it some child, the
peal was so gentle and timid, and as l
had given my servant leave to go out for
little while, went myself to see what
was wanted.
"On first opening the door | was lit
tie bewildcred, for there appeared to be
nothing there; but the next moment,
dropping my eyes, | saw the strangest
sight ever witnessed. The moon was at
its full and it's light lay in broad sill
very food all over the earth Near the
door stood tree. and the shadow of this
tree fell upon the steps, the moonlight FL
tered through the green leaves, dancing
and shimmering with light breeze.
There upon the steps, in large basket
lay an infant of perhaps three months
old, its great eyes wide open, and a little
pair of fat, dimpled hands catching at the
Pickering shadow, cooling now and then
in happy Inconsistencies of its strange
and ritiful condition.
Here Father Hueston paused with a
smile of delight on his face, his cup sus-
pended between the table and his lips,
while the other hand was upraised in
wonder.
"a baby, sister A little baby in a
basket on the steps !"
Eyes, indeed, beautiful baby and
grandmother's eyes turned from Father
Hueston's face to Lillian, who sat with
suspended breath, her knitting laying in
her lap, over which her hands were fold
ed, the ball having fallen to her feet un-
needed. Mrs. Moore's eyes grew humid
as she continued
ii stopped over the little thing, and
she turned her face up to me with the
sweetest little baby laugh you ever heard.
My heart futtered like prisoned bird as
| lifted the novel burden and carried il
into my room, where soon had light
aud began to examine my treasure.
"The child was dressed in little white
robe plain and pretty, pinned to the bo
som of which was note written in del
icate but irregular hand. When | hac
succeeded in deciphering its contents,
took up the little Lillian and folded he
to my heart, while tears fell fast over he
sweet face still radiant with smiles
From that night she has always been tt
me the most precious thing on earth"
"And the note, grandmother breath
ed Lillian, with white lips. what die
lit say?"
The old lady rose and unlocked cas-
lket, from which she took tiny foldec
paper. Handing this to Lillian, she sai'
huskily, "Read it aloud, my child"
The girls voice was unsteady, but sh
read in tone of intense interest;
..In the wide world have no friend tt
go to in my bitter extremity. My fathe
has hanished me forever; my mother i
in her grave-sent there, he says, by m.
lingratitude and disobedience. He TO
whom | have brought all this woe upol
myself, last night ended distracted lif
:. with his own rash hand, and 1 am LET
alone with my babe, only three month
old. | am dying, too. When to-mor
rows sun shall rise, my eyes will hav
closed forever, but cannot take my bah
with me where | am going. bring m.
little Lillian to you, pleading for pit.
and love for her at least, for she is limo
cent and pure. How far you share m,
|
fathers feelings towards me cannot know
but in your loneliness and desolation, nov
that one you love has gone. oh let m
pray you to take to your heart this littl
comforter. Such, pray God, she ma.
t be to you But let no one know who's
child she is, at least not until she ha
reached womanhood, when she may hav
, to act for herself. Do not chide or blam
me, Aunt Margaret in your heart Er
your eyes have seen these lines | shal
I L. 4 A. . L. Il,