The Van Buren press., 1870-11-08

| Aoh i0i'en''y PA"y y" 'S' "S"s v" "S'
maditations
"I have it," cried Mrs. Primmins,
Malviny's gotto take it!' sp
BLESS yeur dear SOUL" responded
Tom, " Malviney's the very one! What
a talent you have got for managing.
auntic, dear"
Thrre was Tom his very self He had
hit on exactly the right compliment to
lpay the old nurse. He was actually
floating through life on this instinct he
had for saying the most pleasant thing
TO everybody. Mrs. Primmns Of all
things desired the reputation. Of a
grand mannuverer, as it was, Of course,
the one of all others that she did not
deserve.
"Yes,' she cried, ehuckling," can
manage. Let me alone. And first thing
in the morning I'll go there with you.
Now" said she, seizing her chadge,
who was beginning to squirm, "now I'll
SEQ what's to be got out Of your land
lady" .,.v ~ b.r
Winking violently with first one eye
and then the other, she inserted her
head in the doorway. q" ''4" 'd
"If I'm summoned" she said, "it's
above all else. If Im called, must 60,
day or night. Ys8 .s bL "a
Certainly" said Tom, much puzzled,
but you won't be, Aunty."
As the young man walked abroad to
get his dinner, he felt impressed with an
almost mysterious awe of the old nurse.
"To think of living always with death
grinning one in the face like that" he
mustered to himself
In the night Toms dream OF peace
was again expelled. 'F '.9
Another knock on his door.
Am under ban ?" growled Tom
"what is the matter now"
"Tm called" said the voice OF Mrs.
Primmins "my summons has come!"
"Oh, the devil ?" cried Tom, lost to
all sense Of the Importance cenciliating
the nurse, " Go to bed Hold on till NOR.
ming, won't your"
In the morning, Tom, who, happy
fellow, always slept soundest under a
sense of depression, did not make his
appearance until 8 O'Clock. He found
that Mrs. Primmins had actually disap.
peared for parts unknown. In the arms
of his hitheto stern landlady he found
his charge nesting. A new light-that
Of love-was beaming in that solemn
sJars eiagiu qya .-thot woman Thought
He looked at his little responsibility
with feeling of awe, almost suspicion
of witchcraft Itis customary to shake
the head and wonder at the amazing
Providence that sometimes remove
mother and throws q young infant upon
the charity of Others! Why not also
consider reverently the innate instinct
of motherhood that rises in every female
heart ut the sight of baby 80 pereav'
ed?
"I have undertaken" said the land.
lady, giving Tom smile such as ne had
never dreamed could rest on her features
81 have undertaken to 60 with you III
search of Mrs. Prtmmins' niece, Malvi'
NY"
Several hours later Tom Collins sprang
from light wagon in which he hau
driven to the door Of pretty cottage.
awe will make one last by inqulrlng
here" he said to the landady who held
the baby.
With his usual impctuosity he pushed
directly through into the little rear
kitchen.
There, he forgot his crrand, forgot
everything except what he saw Ayouhg
Girl, plump, heat, and rosy, stood, with
round arms barred, before table She
was assduously caressing with her white
hands; little humps of dough into shape
Then she placed them in rows in oig
black pan. For moment she ala not
see Tom. He, unreasoning, tmpulslve
fellow, forgot his errand--forgot every
thing, in short, and began cnvylng those
Jumps of dough. He felt instincuveiy
that he, too, possessed great capacity
for being nodded by some such hands as
those. ... .rH :.
Suddenly she turned. Such dimplng
smile! Such u rosy emparrassment!
Tom, great black. haired. jetty eyed giant
that he was, thought this little plump
blonde an angle. Thought! Why heI
was sure Of it!
After while he came partially to his
senses and said:
"Tm looking for one Malvina Bar.
ker," .... a..
"And this is me-" said the rosy lips.
"Then I've broughtyou baby he
said abruptly. 49,.
A good deal of astonishment can be
put into pair of bright blue eyes with
out spelling them--and so there was,
Fortunately at this poiut, the landlady
appearcd, and so moment later, did
Malvina's mother. called up from the
cellar by the voices.
Negotiations were soon completed
Tom again in his little room, found 1t
the loneliest, deartiest place he had ever
looked upon. Is. i
A couple Of days later he concluded
that It would be mhuman to 60 and look
after his little charge. In m Incredibly
short space Of time he was slezed with
the same impression again, Then he
went to take to the baby, who had not
vet learned that the moon is more distant
than the doc knob, box OF geogrnphi.
cal blocks. Then he went to inquire if it
needed pocket money; and hc told Nal
yina that he know she was not kept
awake nights with it, because her eyes
were so bright.
This time Malvina's mother told Tom