Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-12-23
Selett storp.
From Arthur's Magazine
TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF.

ITS shame :" said Mrs. Fogg rs she
hurried away, after the funeral OF Mrs
Grant. escaping from the poor, desoIatec
room where two children, almost babes
were sleeping. unconscious that they were
motherless. Its shame that nobody'l
take them"
"Yes-a bitter shame !" replied a neigh
Dor. who was also getting of as fast rs she
could. so as to shit responsibility on some
other shoulders.
There's Mrs. Grove; she might take
them as well as not. But they'll 60 to
the poor-housc, tor all she cares"
We'll somebody'll have to answer for
it. said Mrs Fogy. As Tor me-. I've got
young ones enough of my own"
I'VE lefl Mrs Cole in the room. She
has only one child. and her huband Is
w2ll.to-do. can't believe she'll have the
hear, 10 turn away from them"
shes got the heart for anything
But well gee
Mrs. Cole did turn away from the sleep
ing babes. signing aloud, with forced
sigh that others might hear, and give her
credit fora sympathy that she did not feel
At last all were gone-all but man
named Wheaton. and a poor woman. not
able 10 take care of herself.
What's to become of these children 2
said Wheaton.
Don't know. Poor.housc, | s'pose,
ans Nered the woman.
"Poor.housn
YES. Nobody wants 'em and there's
no place else Tor EN-"
Mamma mamma {" cried a plaintive 4
voice. and a haxen-haired child, not much
over year old, rose up in bed and look
ed piteously about the room. Il want
mamma
A great choking sob came into the
man throat.
Then the other child awoke and said
Don't cry, Sissy. Mammals gone away
At this the little one began crying bitter
ly.
Il can't stand this nohow," said the
man speaking in a kind OF desperate
way and going to the bed, he gathered
the two children in his arms, hushing and
comforting them with soothing words.
What on earth have YOU got there ?
exclaimed Mrs. Wheaton as her husband
came striding into the room where she
sat mending one of his welI,worn gar
ments.
Two babies ~ he answered, in a voice
so unusual that Mrs Wheaton dropped
her work on the floor and rose up in
amaZemeut.
What ?"
"Mrs. Coles two babies. I've been
over to the funeral, and l tell you. Jane,
it wasn't in me TO see these little things
carted off to the almshouse. There was
not a woman 10 look after them-no not
one. Every soul sneaked off but Polly
Jones, and she's of no account. you know.
Just look at their dear little faces" And
he held them up in his arms. and let THEN
tender. fearful. haf-frightened halfwon-
dering eyes plead their cause with his
vile, and they did not plead in vain.
Surprised as she was, and with an in
stant protest in her heart, Mrs. Wheaton
could not, in the presence OF these moth
erless little ones, utter word of remon-
STRANGE. She took the youngest one from
the arms of her husband and spoke TO ii
teuderly. The child sobbed two or three
times. and then laid its head against her
bosom. There was an influx of mother
love into the heart OF this woman, who
hld never been mother. the instant her
bosom felt the pressure OF baby's head,
and the arm that drew it closer with an
involuntary impulse was moved by this
new love.
Not many words passed between the
husband and wife-at least not then,
though thought was very busy with both
of them. Mrs. Wheaton's manner to-
ward the children was kind even to ten
derDess, and this manner won their conli-
dence. aud drew from them such looks,
and ways. and little expressions of salts
faction, as touched her heart and filled 1t
with loving interest.
After night-fal when supper was over,
and the children asleep, Mr.. and Mrs.
Wheaton sat down together, each show.
ing little reserve and embarrassment.