The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-04-12

and the measles, and the nettle rash, and
collaretta infantcide before he was eleven
months And | expect the diseases had
some effect upon his constitution n
l should think SO" replied the baby's
mother.
You look tired DEAR" went on the
old lady d" the baby must be dreadful
heavy. Why don't you let its pa take
him ?" with a reproachful glance at the
savage countenance of Mr.. Corban.
I'm not his pa" grumbled Mr.. Cor
ban, pulling his.hat little farther down
over his eyes.
ooh! You amt Wal, now, that's
curis !" said the old lady. "I should
have thought you wor for sartin. The
baby is the image of you-jest the same
kind of nose /; and its eyes has got the
same expression.
Expression, indeed Mr. Corban was
boiling over He always peculiarly pri-
ded himself on his expression; and here
was this old ogre comparing him to that
dumping faced, hucklebury-eycd baby!
Well" said the old lady slowly, as
though she had reached the conclusions
after some thought, [ s'pose as it's likely
this is poor mortem child, which means
one as is born after the death of its IA
ther and you married its mother soon
after her husband departed this vale of
tears. Well, that's got to be dreadful
common. But my Elijah has been dead
nigh onto nineteen months, and [ amt
begun to think of second partner;-
though Squire Hudson, has been left so
helpless and unfortunate, with them six
children of his, that | don't know. l
hope the Lord will show me my duty,
and give me strength to take in the Squire
for better or for worse, if it's right and
best! don't never want to shrink no
duty, marin. When did your first hus-
band die, marm?"
Parkersburg" screamed the conduc-
tor. "Stop five minutes for refresh
ments Il! Change cars for Wallingford,
Amsterdam and Myrtle Ridge !"
The woman with the baby rose quickly.
A thrill of joy went through Mr.. Cor
BAN He thought she was at her jour-
neys end. He, too, rose with alacrity.
"Can assist you in any way, mad
am ?" he asked.
"Thank you. will just trouble you
to hold the baby while l go and get a
cup Of coffee. breakfasted early and |
need something warm. Be careful and
hold his head high, he is subject to the
Group"
And, before Corban could utter one
word of refusal, she had put the baby in
his arms, and was running off with the
crowd.
Our hero felt himself growing cold
and hot alternately. lie had served two
years with credit in the war, and had
been in score of battles, but through it
all, he had never experienced such a
sinking at the stomach as came over him
now. Most of the passengers left the
cars; and Carbon would have done like
wise, but he feared that he might lose
sight of the baby's mother, and the train
would start without him. So in an agony
of terror, lest something should happen
he stood there in the aisle, hold
ing the baby at arms length, and fixing
his frantic gaze on the door through
which his deliverance would come.
"All aboard" cried the stentorian
voice of new conductor-an the peo-
pie rushed in. But the passengers were
most of them new ones, for there was a
junction at Parkersburg; and worst of
all the baby's mother was not among
them.
The bell ran the cars were moving !;
the door was shut with bang, aud the
train went off. Corban waxed desperate.
Halloa, there!" he shouted to the
conductor. Stop? This train cannot
go on; there's a woman left behind; she
went to get cup of coffee. Stop I
tell you this instant sir !"
What's up?" inquired the conductor.
She's left the baby !"
Your wife ? Oh, never mind, Such
things occur frequently. She'll come in
the next train"
l tell you to stop I shall go crazy.
And. Oh, Lord, what shall 1 do
with the baby? Say, I'll give yon five