The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-08-17

old msn lay upon the hoos and scros his
body q gid had flung herself knew tis
gipsy hair and tho brown neck, tho scsnt
cotton dress andihe sun-bounet, Aung with
handful Of wild flowers upon the door;
and bent over her, touching her little dcs.
pairing head.
aMy child" NJ said, 4he Is happier than
we arc"
And she looked up.
"He was all had, she said (; call, ALI"
So had ! thought whom Aletta savo me
back our bc,rotbal ring. Ny hear sehed
for her. said no other word, but led
her to an inner room, while two mon boro
the dead man up stairs. She wept wildly,
but my presence soemoi to comfort her.
After . while she drcw closer to mo, and,
sitting on low stool, leaned her forehead
on my knee. Soon my hand rested on it,
and in an hour she had sobbed herself to
sleep.
lsaid few words to tho landlady when
arose to leave; and she promised to at.
tend to my ORDERS enforced by the contents
Of my pocket hook. .i
"Ths girl shan't 60 until hear from You,
Sir" shcsaid. "lndeed. don't know where
she would 60. She seems friendlcss, and
such child for her age. Thank you sir!''
And went on my way again, thinking
not Of Aletta, but Of the dead 6ddler's
grnndchild. This sun.browncd waif %
simple and 50 ignorant, 30 friendless and
alone. sid
lwas young yet-not fye-and.twenty- =
bachelor, and likely to be ono my life
long. had no proper home 10 take her to,
and no friend TO aid me. At last, In my ex.
trcmity, I thought Of i'euy-old Betty, who
bad once been my nurse, and who loved
mo as she might her own son-and in the
cleaning made my. way to her poor home.
found her trimming her vines in tho bit Of
garden. ground, and had my usual kiss
across tho fence even before the gate was
opened. r, .r.. r ....
"l'ye been thinking Of you" she said.
n knew i, was you as soon as I heard some
one coming. Tisn't every young gentle.
msn would weary himself to see an old
body like mo. Sit down, honey, and rest. I"
al come to ask favor, Betty" said.
"Just name il, Master Hcrtie."
"Will you take boartier, Bettyi''
"Blcss me! In my two roomsl"
"OnIy child, Betty" .. ~
"A child !-Master Albert" M .-
l told her Of tho fddler's death, and of
the, girl. 90, iI .h.. lg.9
shave money enough" . said, ''but no
female relatives. can only como to you. I"
"You always wcre kind.hcarted from a
boy" she said. all take the little girl,
Muster Bertie."
Then she put both hands on my should
ers.
"You haven't frottod, have your" she
asked.
"l'rctted'" asked. "Why3"
"Nay, why indeed ?" said old Betty.
a!,etter fish In the sea than ever were
caught yet" Then in moment moro she
nlded:-'lye been to see the wedding"
] felt my fice flush. "Shull bring the
girl Tomorrow after her grandfather's fun.
cral ?" I asked.
"When You please" said Betty. @But,
Master Albert. whit do you mean to do
with her7 You are doing all this In hur.
ry. Just think bi,.'
u mean to adopt the child" said. ut
will make me happy to have young thing
to care for"
Betty laughed. "You'll have young
things Of your own, please God, some day" +"
she said. awl,y, a, your age life Is before
you."
u shall never marry, Betty" said.
She caught my fingers in close clasp
with horny working hand.
49,. -. 49, p.,;. - ,I...,I s,.a
n.. n.y. :. [ ~. 90, -. :, , .,;I M 49,. A.,
e.. .-;.c - -. ~, -. :" -. ,..
...,.,. 80. ,,,...d r,,,., ,n :. ,.u 81
.,s s ,s;,s ,ss,. ,...,S,. :. ~, ~ -, =, ,S";.
s...', ~ -. ,.., ~. -, 80. ,..s.
go. ~ - mn" ~ ., "" ~ - -, ~ ~.
| -. 49, IN, ~,
,c.d, q, .nx,h;n, ,h., viii ,h..r Won,
Master Berie. I ou,b, TO NV Master
Albert always now I suppose bu, The old
times do come back so!'
,,.o ,., ,..,;,. ,v., h., ,,,. ,,oL;,,