Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-03-30
Mrs. Williams New-Year's Gift.

making the fire that was burning in
the large old-fashioned kitchen seem
doubly grateful, around which were
gathered Farmer Williams, his wife
and four children.
The weather bronzed face of the
farmer has care-worn, discontented
look. He is one of those who make
haste to be rich, and though he is sur
rounded with many blessings, and
every reasonable want is supplied,
as the close of the old year finds no
surplus in his purse, his heart, instead |
of being lifted up with gratitude, is
filled with repinings.
His gentle, meek-browed wife is
sitting beside him. Her countenance
wea. look of chastened sorrow, and
tears glisten in her eyes as they wan
der to corner of the room where
stands vacant cradle, from which |
smiled, a week ago, the rosy checked
bright eyed boy, upon whose little
grave, tonight, the snow is drifting
heavily.
The long silence was broken by a
heavy knock at the door.
Farmer Williams opened it, reveal
ing a respectable, middle-aged colored
man, who held carefully in his hand
covered basket
Does Mrs. Williams live here 2 he
asked.
She does
The lady who buried a child yes
terday?
Yes
We'll, here is New-Year's present
for her.
Thrusting the basket into the farm
er's hands, he turned and walked
quickly down the road, where could
be dimly seen the outlines of a cover
ed sleigh, from which came the faint
sound of stihed sobs.
Bewildered and astonished, Far
mer Williams carried the basket into
the kitchen and set it upon the table.
As he did so he was startled by
plaintive cry; and upon opening it,
there lay a lovely boy, apparently
about three months old.
Farmer Williams sprang to the
door, but the sleigh and its occupants
were nowhere to be seen.
In the mean time Mrs. Williams
and the children gathered around the
basket with exclamations of surprise
and pleasure. AS the babe saw the
sweet gentle face that bent over it, it
suddenly stopped crying, and, smiling,
stretched out its little hands to her.
The heart of the bereaved mother
yearned towards it, and taking it up
her bosom. Just then her husband
came back from his fruitless search.
4 declare, it's an impositionr he
exclaimed, stamping the snow off his
boots. But won't submit to it. I'll
take it over to the town farm the
very first thing in the morning
d can't bear the idea of it going
there, Jhon,' said his wife. Just see
: what sweet babe it is !
4 don't see but it looks like other
babies, returned John, gruffly, doing
: his best to steel his heart against the
little stranger, in which he only part
ly succeeded, for, rough as was the
farmers way, he had a kindly nature,
if one could only reach it. ANY way,
the authorities will have to take care
: of it; we can't. We've got more
mouths to fill now, than we can find
bread for
Mrs. Williams lip quivered as her
thoughts reverted to the little grave
t in the churchyard. All, to her heart
was one too few!
Dear John, she said, pleadingly
'it seems as if God had sent this babe
to take the place of our own little
Willie, whom he has taken to himself
Let me keep it. 1t will not fail to
bring blessing, you may be sure
Farmer Williams countenance re-
1 laxed as he looked into those fearful
eyes.
We'll, well, Mary he said, in a
softened voice, I'll think about it
If we do, You and the Children may
have to 90 without good many things
for these are hard times, and likely tc
t be harder So you had better weigh
i the matter well before deciding.
Mrs. Williams did so; and the re
suit was that her 'New.Year's Gift
C became fixture of Red Stone Farm
house. He grew up merry, winsomt
boy, twining even around the farmer
:. rugged nature, and taking in the hear
of his adopted mother the place of he
l. lost darling, loved and cherished b,
her with equal tenderness. Man,
:. sacrifices did she make, many toilsom'
hours did she spend, in order tina
l. her husband might not feel the ex
pense of his maintenance too heavi y
t, And well did his growing inteiligenc
It and beauty, and the ardent affection
he evinced for her, repay her for it all
!, There was nothing about him tha
could give the slightest clue to hi
e parentagc. Simply bit of white pa
per pinned to his frock, on whic
2, were these words, evidently write
by woman, in graceful but I'LL
', steady hand:
u ARTHUR.
Born AUGUST 22D, 1851.
/ WAS A STRANGER, AND YE TOOK ME IN
if Farmer Williams made some inqu
ries in the neighborhood, and learne
d that lady with an infant, accompar
led by servant, had been stoppin
It for week past at the village tavern
% that she was very beautiful but pal
}, and sad, and kept her room most o
the time. But they had disappeare
as suddenly as they came.
IS 1t is just ten years from the tim
H.. Nro Williams recaiyed hnr New