The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-02-26
Trot.
"Hopedale !"

"dopedale
opened my sleepy eyes as the con-
ductor's voice rang through the cars, and
taking my carpet bag, sprang out upon
the platform OF the little station NV
brief holiday was over, and. with shrug,
| prepared for my short walk through
the morning air, looking forward to the
good fire and the delicious cup of coffee
| was sure Mrs. Watson was Keeping for
me
1t was very rare event for me 60
leave the little village whose name heads
this story. My father had been the only
resident physician there from the time
L was boisterous schoolboy up to the
hour when, iu his professional rounds, he
! fell dead with heart disease 10 the main
street, leaving me, his heretofore assist
ant, sole heir to his name, property and
practice. Ten years before they had car
| ried my dear mother to- the little church
yard and installed Mrs. Watson house
keeper in her place. The villagers were
willing the young should doctor take his
fathers place BESIDE their sick beds, and
so for five years l had filled his duties
In all these FIVE years | had taken no
holiday; so when an invitation came
from an old college friend and since cores
pondent, Clement Payne, to spend Christ
mas with him, at his fathers place, on
the Hudson, was sorely tempted to ac-
cept, and finally concluded to do SO. 1t
was literally Christmas l spent, leaving
home at midnight on the 24th, and my
friends house exactly twenty four hours
later 1t had been pleasant break in
the monotony of my life, and as l stood
at sunrise on the Hope iale station plat
form, 1 was sure my recreation would
bring me new vigor for NY daily duties.
As turned to descend the steps lead
ing to the road, some impulse, nay, a
Providence, led me to look in at the win
dow of the room, by courtesy, Ladies
room" of the station. 1t was cold and
desolate. No fire was lighted, and there
was no furniture; unless the hard wood
en- benches against the walls could be SO
denominated But curled up on one Of
these benches, sleeping soundly, lay a
strange child. His dress of rich, fur
trimmed velvet, the warm fur cap, rich
CATERS and ,aittens, spoke Of wealth aud
care, and the pale face, round which
clustered short curls Of sunny brown,
was round with health and wonderfully
beautiful.
He was no Hopedale child; knew
them all My professional instinct made
MY heart thrill with sudden shock, as
caught sight Of the pale face, for well [
knew the danger of sleeping in the bitter
winter air How long had he been there
Was he already dead were the ques-
tions | asked myself as | strobe across
L. i 4 NJ
breath came from the white lips, no throb
at the wrists only a faint futtering un-
der my fingers as | pressed them over
the baby heart. Mantling him warmly
in my heavy cloak, tore down the steps,
aud raced along the road homeward at IA
pace that would have considerably amazed
my patients, had any of them been awake
a. that early hour.
Allowing Mrs. Watson no time for
amazement, | pressed her into my ser
vice, and, in what she called "a jiffy,
we had the little form undressed, in my
bed and underg inga vigorous treatment.
1t was so long before we were success
full that nv heart almost failed me ; but
at last the faint throbs grew stronger
color came to the pale lips and cheeks,
and pair of large brown eyes appeared
unoer the heavily fringed lids L had
watched so anxiously.
Only look of sleepy inquiry was Wis
ible as he stared a moment at me; then
obeying my order to drink the warm food
Mrs. Watson held to his lips, my little
patient closed his eyes again and turned
over to finish his nap. He was safe now,
knew so leaving him to Mrs. " atsou's S
care, who by this time knew as much
about him as | did, / went to sleep my
self, to be ready for the days duties
1t was nearly nine o'clock when my
housekeeper reused me to say breakfast
was ready, and the child awake
Very wide awake | found him the
glorious brown eyes staring round my
room, taking in every detail OF It's ar:
rangement.
"Who are you? How did get here:
Am nearly at Australia Who's that
man in the picture z" were the questions
poured rapidly forth, before had time tf
frame an inquiry.
81 want to get up. Who's got my
clothes z" came next ssWho put me tt
bed without any night gown.
Not sign of fear or word OF home
sickness. 1 was puzzled.
"What is your name 2" asked, sit
ting down beside hun.
"Trot / want to get up
"You shall get up in minute, bn'
first tell me your name, and how yot
/ came to be asleep in the station
"My names Trot; and the plagueJ
: ears started off without me when | got
out. 1t was dark night, and L couio
not catch them, so went into the room
aud went to sleep till they came again
Was your mother in the train-in th'
! car ?"
"No; nobody but just me. | am go
ing to Australia"
.Going to Australia 2"
eyes: Ellen's there They have
roses there at Christmas, and we wanted
some for our tree.
s.But, my child, you did not leave
, home alone 2"
/, Eyes did I amt afraid am go
cnn