The Van Buren press., 1870-11-08
MISCELLANY.
From Putnam's Magazine.
Malvina.

Young Tom Collins, law student, ha,
just come into strange inheritance, LII
sat solitary in his little boarding house
room, trying to realize it.
"If the poor hadn't me-" he said tc
himself, at could go and apply for ad
mission to some institution. If hadn't
it, could-but Lord! that is not the
idea. l must decide what l am to do"
Tom had solemnly promised to care
for the new born baby Of his only sister
who had just died. aztyfIg
He tried to mediate. He had often
before, during his life, made the same at.
tempt, but had never to any extent sue.
ceeded. He did not seem lixe one born
da.fa t0 tqke it. tth'RS igt8So gt8Soa" ~cas eansid
rescue. Tom really in his twenty-five
wears had never felt such an awful sense
of Gloom. His natural hilarity could
only suggest to his mind the rather poor
consolation that he chad at last over
NIGHT to consider on the business.
Here Tom was interrupted by knock
on the door-an occurrence unusal en-
ouoh in the little upper room where nc
had long since ceased regarding even the
hell. null as resort in any extremity. Sc
completely was he acustomed TO pche
let alone. 4.
Before Tom could respond to th'
knock it was followed by a cry OF MN
oIed entreaty and command, such Us
only hungry babies know how to emit
1--WE fetched the poor little dea
around, sir r. remarked woman, whos'
maryellour rotundity of person showe'
to a fine advantage, AS she waved ne'
screaming parole as tAough 1T were IN
cense wherewth to purify Toms bache
lor room.
Good LorJw he calculated.
"You'd ought to cit a cow said th
nurse, still brandishing her charge
There there there! It's got the wln'
this mint, mixin' milk Have you foun'
nurse, sir? And the baby want
clothes
cts got too many clothes now,'
so;d Tom. 81 think that's what II
cryinc about-sec how hot and red IL Is
Poor inexperienced Tom he had oil
Tended Tile
board his only anchor.
She dropped her shrieklng charg
upon Toms bed, and startrd toward IN
door. ,tt,
at .on Won know all about babies
may go" ~, ..do NOT
In tho name of mercy 40 ho'! 'eua'
have the clothes. Why do you say
wanta nurse Are you dot one J as
srrc Won I know nothing, absoiutl
nothing of babies! ! never to my know
ledge touched one" r
Real dispair is impressive. The We
man was Modified. =,
Il am sir" she said. turning coniideI
tally to Tom, "a monthly am WI
ling to stay with you while i can. Bt
sir person in my position is no depe'
pendence. My summons may come an
dav or hour. 1t IS impossible to calc'
late Day and night is all the same t
mo There amt on earth to me a thin
SO inscrutablc as this impossibly of ca
cula,ing when we shall be sent Tor. l
work for you while can, sir, but whe
nv call comes, no earthly thing can kee
me"
Tom took all these remarks IN n
=, liqious point of veiw. From person
Mrs. Primmins' robustness, !hcy amaze
him. lie felt o vague fear les,,a 4
mentlly expressed it, there might he v
bee in the old lady's bonnet.
"Oh cheer up cheer up, Auntie'
said, "you look hale and hearty, fon
overlricd yourself with my poor slste !,
IS II you stay and take charge OF that IL
tie thing for me, III risk yout getting
summons
"Your poor sister found great cons
J. lation in your promise for her child
II remarked Mrs priminins pathel'cai'.
: "Its desperate resort leaving q y
i. by to ayoung man, but in her STRAIT 81
!, was fain to catch at q straw" 80,
o "Can YOU" said Tom. looking gloom
ly at his now silent prize onthe pc
lean you give Inc any advlce' ~