Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-03-18
What Will they Do with the
Baby?
BY MRS. s. +. PERRY.

"A baDy Lett on our doorstep, too
Who dared do such thing as to leave a
baby here!' These were the exclamations
Of Mrs. John Morton, one cold morning,
as the servant girl bounced into the dining
room with bundle in her arms, and made
the announcement that baby had been
left on the stoop OF all the bundles that
had ever been left at John Morton's house,
this was the most unlocked for and most
unwelcome.
You see, ma'am," said Bridget, &c
went out to get the morning paper an to
sweep off the stoop and sees this bundle
lying on the mat. went to lift it in my
arms, and it moved, and says to myself,
What can this be ? and when l opened
the shawl, I sees baby"
What will you do with it ?" said Mrs.
Morton.
"Scud it to the police station at once"
replied her husband. Here Michael"
he continued, take this child to the station,
and tell them it was left on our stoop"
Let me look at it first" said Mrs. AL
lison, Mrs. Mortons mother, as she arose
from the breakfast table and approached
the childless couple, who were already
bending over the little waif. AS the old
shawl was thrown off from the babe, like
Moses in the bulrushes, "Behold it
wept."
at is hungry" said Mrs. Allison.
How thin its little arms aud hands arc.
1t looks as if it was nearly starved. Let
us feed it before we send it away"
Bridget had been child's nurse; she
had already prepared some food, and was
bringing it to the dining. g.room. II ran
through the yard, ma'am, aud got Mrs.
Worthingtons baby's bottle, and she is
coming right over to see" The baby
took its nourishment eagerly, and then fell
asleep.
Its garments arc very clean, although
quite poor" said Mrs. Allison, as she be.
gan to examine the little ones wraypings.
Yes, and we don't know anything
about the blood" said Mr.. Morton. l
think a great deal of the blood One
wants to known what sort and quality he
takes across his threshold"
"As to this Sort" replied Mrs. Allison
in a low tone Of voice, sit is one of those
whom Christ took into His arms and bless.
cd, Notwithstanding the rebuke of His
disciples; and as to the quality, 'Of such
is the Kingdom of heaven ,"
Well" said Mr.. Morton, you women
must do what you think best The car is
coming and must go down town. Michael
can take it anywhere you conclude to send
it. There is !" Home for the Friendless," ;"
an orphan asylum, and half dozen other
charitable institutions, where they take
such things"
AS Mr.. Morton passed out of the door
he encountered number of ladies' in their
morning wrappers rushing in to get a
glimpse of the wonderful arrival. The
gentleman jumped on to the platform of
the car with only hurried good morn
ing" lest he should be overwhelmed with
such questions as :" What will you do with
it I" {" Who on earth put it there ?" etc
etc.
"Well, really" exclaimed Mrs. Mon
taguc, as she went into the dining room
"you arc in trouble enough. I'm so glad
it wasn't left at our house," and the pretty
little woman shrugged her shoulders as
she bent over the little sleeper now lying
on the sofa. "I wouldn't keep it min
ute; the longer you keep it the harder it
will be to get rid Of it."
"What will you do with it?" asked
Mrs. Turner Of any who might choose to
answer so difficult question. "Mrs.
Morton couldn't take care of it, because
she isn't used to children"
go no, indeed" said bustling Mrs.
Worthington, "Ive had four children
and l know what it is to take care of them.
To be sure I've always had a nurse for
each child, and never slept with one a
night. You know my nervous system
would not admit of my having the care of
them. l love them dearly, but my nerves
are took weak to have them with me much
of the time but l see that they have good
nurses, aud l can't help the rest"
"Yes," said Mrs. Hartwell, who hadn't
any children, and hoped she never would
have, "you have been married ten years,
Mrs. Morton, and are such nice house
keeper, aud so precise in your living that
baby would turn everything topscy tur-
vey, and you would have to work across
the grain all the rest Of your life. Inever
could take other peoples children"
"What will they do with it, Mrs. ALI
son ?" asked another lady who had stood
by silent, and always concurred in every
body's opinion. The mother of thirty
years ago was this good old lady. She had
brought up six children in the days when
mothers we're old.fashioued she never
had a nurse for one of them. Her own
hands made all their little garments, aud
her nerves were firm euoug b to bear all
their childhood grievances, and to adjust
all their young hearts troubles aud differ
ences. She had heard this conversation,
and the good, warm, motherly heart felt
troubled.
What could she answer? If it had been
years ago she would have taken the little
| waif into her own nest, made it welcome,