The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-11-08
WooDsFIELD MONROE COUNTY OHIO NOVEMBER 8. 1865.


child Resembles its father strongly. Is
it boy or girl?' s,ss;
s"Deuced if ], know or carelp growled
Weed. rsr, 81 s.. .ss.e,E q, -aa.ss 4
"Why, what man! But, my dear sir,
it is SO extremely dissgreeable for, a gem
tleman to travel with the care of child,
that really my heart 81 mpathizes 50 deep
ly with you that I-ah me! we women |
have to pay SO much regard to appearan |
lces! And I would not oyerstep the strict-
est bounds of modesty.'n e 7ssSs
| Weed caught at what was implied by
her manner more than by her words. The |
idea was ecstatic. I4De
"My dear madamp' he exclaimed, "if1
you would be so kind as to take care of
the little wretch-I mean darling-I shall
| be your debtor for life, and will pay you
any sum you may name"
"You are very good. Twill see what
can be done. But you must of course
understand that in obliging you I shall
endanger my reputation. :" Atta y
/ s'I am man of honor; you can depend
on me,o said Weed promptly.
i The lady took him at his word, and
lslipping into the seat beside him, she took
the baby on her knee. The baby recog-
I nized the care of woman, probably, for
I aftersa few digs at her bonnet strings, and
| a couple of kicks at her stomach, he sub.
! sided and fell into profound sleep.
! The time passed, and the train flew on.
The woman who had so kindly relieved
!, Weed of his charge smelled of onions,
!. and he was sure she took snuff, but he
was ready to excuse all such little failings
} in consideration of what she was doing
for him. asyi,,.
But as they rode along he thought she
grew more affectionate in her manner
2 Either the seat was contracting or the Ia
sldy was moving closer to him and the tho t
Twas horrible viewed in any light. He
shrank into the corner, and she followed
e him. baby and all. ,..,s =
aMay I not know your name, my dear
sir?" asked she softly. =.
: "Certainly. James Weed, Of Winford.
"And mine is Celestina Bean, of Axtel.
eyes m - 10
: aMy dear James, Il cannot feel suf1i-
ciently grateful that fate has thus thrown
n us together. / am believeri in fate, and
s have been SO lonely these many year.
i-Iwithout thee. g 80 s5igiaiass {
!, "What! Whatln cried Weed, edgint
q away from her. % aa hf7fu asi@ q
III aDo not be so coy, my dear James.
W am here taking care of your baby, and o
le course people think am your wife,
ln eGeod Lordp' cried Weed in conster
= nation. "My wife! You'd better say m.
le mother! you're old enough. ssj
IS aWretch!' exclaimed Miss Bean in
to tragical voice, etake back those words.-
to Recant them, or I will forsake you, bab..
y and all. "gsq IL r: bsfs.t5ciss 81 if3
II "ForsaEe me, then; I'd rather turn ba
by-jumper the remainder of my life, ,tha
= to have anybody imagine for momer
- - such vinegar =yisaged old woman for m
"a - wife. s ~ ;s...ss
~ Miss Beans anger was thing sublime
ho She rose majestically ly-brandishing alo'
~ ~ the baby,
ng aJames Weed" cried she, ayou ha,
ruined my character. l have tended yot
n II baby half day, and you must marry n
III at the first stopping place.. Refuse an
., I will bring it before the courts. "a m
M "a eMarry youi I'd !, die, frst,"a erie
ne n.l James, bounding up and srringing entir
az =, ly ever the back of the seat into the Ia
nu of an old lady with poodle dog ar
~, NJ bandbox, both Of which he nearly demo
~ ished, and made for the door 49,
"Let me outln he cried to the condu
he tor, eshe's after me, and the baby too. i
he Jump off if you. don't let me out. J" s7is.
he The conductor was man of muscles al
%. he soon settled matters satisfactorily
: himself He shut Weed up in the salo'
vas under the lively impression that he "
no insane, and Miss Bean and the baby
He took to New York. & .srsnsY6fa ss
ed. And in the next train came the near
oss distracted mother Of the juyeniler-tl
rid cup of tea had been SO hot that .befo
she could cool it sufficiently to.drink t
tor train had left. o 2si.i6 81, asi 81.
md She sought out James; wept, apolog
ed; was grateful, and being a widow tn
its struck bargain, and James is now I
80 obedient step father of the Discarded
Ily, by. s saas oogad ieo3a