The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-03-04
WHOLE NO. 49,.

Poor Millie she never could think who
gave her her funny name, until Granny
Dow told her. LID
1t seems that the miller, IN going into
the mill early one morning, found baby
in one of the hoppers Of the mill, which
might have been ground up with the corn,
but for the miller's timely appearance So
wrapping it up in an old blanket, he carried
it home to his wife, who fed it with milk,
and kept over night And that's how Mil
lie got her name. -
The miller was poor, and had six chill
dren OF his own to support, so the little
waif was sent to the nearest poor-house.
Not but what I'd like to keep her." said
the miller's wife; 'fshe has such a sweet
face, and looks so like q high-born child.
But if people viii leave their babies to the
mercy of the world, they must expect EN-
to be taken to the poorhouse" And to the
poorhoUse little MiLlie went, and was there
brought up until she was ten years of age.
The last family where Mile went to
''work for her board and clothes was
wealthy and had two beautiful little girls,
named Nelly and Maud, dressed always in
taste and tashion-s strange contrast to
poor Miles faded calico dress.
But any stranger coming suddenly upon
the three children would say Mill had
the sweetest face of them all-with her
fair complexion, bright blue eyes, and
curling, nut-brown hair = and there was
certain natural grace about her, in spite Of
her scanty clothing and pale face.
st. Valentines day dawRed bright and
beautiful over the hills, and, although the
ground was covered with snow. it seemed
to make no difference to the postman, who
laden with Valentines of every sort, was
vending his way from house to house,
making glad many hearts amongthe young
people.
Three times already that morning had.
he rang the bell, each time with Valentine
for Nelly and Maud; and poor MilIie who
was washing dishes in. the kitchen, could
peep out OF the window and see the post
man asceRd the steps of the houses oppo-
site, with Valentines for Many Brown and
Hattie Smith.
30 how wish could get one" sigh
ed Mile, as she wiped the last. breakfast
cup, s'Nelly and Maud's are so beautiful,
with their lovely gold aud silver angels
and bright flowers think heaven must
look something like them. / should think
Willie Dow might send me one, when /
found his ball for bim-or Johnny Pratt,
when bound up his finger that he squeez-
ed in the gate" ...---, H...f -,
Just then vigorous ring came to the
door. - lr--- t'"-
"A Valentine for you. Milie, ;" cried
Maud, running down stairs. ''WhO could
send you one p t -5i-
Poor Miles heart was in futter.
''Who could, indeed ?" But there it was,
large as life: Miss Millie Hopper" She
tore open then envelope, Nelly and Maud
looking over her shoulder in wonder.
But 10 instead of real Valentine. it
proved to be a long letter which Mile,
(who had never been 70 school) could not
read; but Maud read it for her, and it ran
thus:
'MY DgAR CHILD have found yOu at last
Long have your mother and m0urned our
only darling Twelve years ago you were
stolen by band of gipsies, and we thought
you lost n Us forever; but Y, sterday we heard
the mdler's story--hOy the gipsies had stolen
from him bag of corn and left a baby in its
place-and then we knew 1t must be our dear
babyl You have been paOr all your days,
nearly; but your parents are rich, and you
shall never want again, dear (not Mile, butt
Rosie
Tomorrow We shall come and take you to
your new hOmel .
"PIERRE and MADELINE FREoHT."
Poor little MIllie was nearly crazy with
Joy To have a father and mother all to
herself, and home-a nice home, with
plenty to eat and wear-was more than she
could realize; but the next day, sure enough,
a carriage drove up to the house, and, after
much questioning and caressing, Mile was
taken on board a steamer bound to Europe,
IN the southern part of which her beauti-
ful home was situated. q -,-
So ST. Valentines day proved to ''Millie
Hopper" Rosie Frecht-a joy
ful and fortunate one. .-.s-..---