Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-02-17

the little waif into her own nest, made
it welcome, and called it her own. But
she would not advise her daughter: she
must act according to the dictates Of
her own conscience. Mrs. Allison was
too old to share much in the care
though she would gladly do what she
could if baby stayed.
The ladies discussed the question at
home, in each others houses, and down
town shopping. Meanwhile baby slept
on, slept as sweetly as if in its own era
die, at its own home, with a loving
mother watching over it. He giveth
His beloved sleep" The Father was
watching with loving eyes over the little
one whom nobody owned staying where
it was so unwelcome.
Mother" said Mrs. Morton, after the
ladies had gone out, what will we do
with it? Do you think it is our duty to
keep this baby ?"
Daughter" she replied, have you
no misgivings about sending itaway? 1t
is one of Christs little ones. Feed My
lambs" she continued, as she left the
room to ask God what they should do
with it.
After Mrs. Allison left the room Mrs.
Morton was left to her own thoughts.
To take a baby was a serious matter.
She had often been asked to adopt a
child, but she had always said that she
never would do it-but this had been
sent in such strange manner. She
began to weigh the fors and agsinsts
about keeping it. The against scale
seemed to 60 down a great deal further
than the other. John would not want
the additional expense of hiring nurse;
if baby stayed she would have to take
care of it herself. This would debar
her from so many pleasures she had
hitherto enjoyed. But is it right to live
only for ourselves? Did not the Master
command us to work in His vineyard?
and if she sent baby away, would He
not say to her, inasmuch as ye did it
not to one of the least Of these ye did
it not to Me?"
Mr.. Morton came home earlier than
usual that night. He found baby still
there. He did not seem much sur
surprised He, too, had been ponder
ing all day whether it was right to send
baby away. At all events, they would
not send it away that night, and when
morning came the decision had been
made. Baby was to stay. They named
her Faith, because they trusted the
Father that He had sent her there for
good, and not for evil.
For days the neighbors in the block
could hear the ceaseless music Of Mrs.
Morton's sewing machine, and If they
had looked in they would have seen
numerous garments Of soft muslin and
warm flannel under process of compile
ton into sundry garments. Some Of
the ladies said Mrs Morton did not
know what piece of work she had un-
dertaken others, that she was SO
foolish to confne herself at home so
much, taking care of somebody else's
baby, whom nobody knew anything
about.
Baby did bring a great deal of care
with it-more than Mr.. and Mrs. Nor
ton had any idea of-but they never
said or felt that they regretted the step
they had taken. There were so many
stitches to take for baby that Mrs. Nor
ton had to take a great many less for
herself, and garments that used to be
trimmed and embellished had to go al
most plain. But what matter? There
are no ruffies and puffs on the white
robes up there. Christ's robe was with
out even a seam. There were many
wakeful nights and wearisome days, but
God sent so much love with the little
one, and so much additional strength,
that what others calle a burden was a
blessing to them. 1t led them heaven
ward, for it made them less selfish, less
worldly, and they had the happiness in
their hearts which comes of working for
the Master.
When the little voice first uttered
Papa.'' Mr.. Morton thought that baby
was very forward, and Mrs. Allison
smiled over the little red and white
stocking shewas knitting, when he asked
if babies as a general thing were so cum
ming and pretty.
Years went on. Faith Morton's baby
hood and childhood passed away. Those
that knew of the circumstances Of her
earthly babyhood had forgotten it, and
those who never heard OF 1t supposed
that she was Mr.. Morton's own child.
She had been the child Of prayer and
religious training. and when girlhood
came. she was a devoted Christian.
Beautiful in person and heart, she was
beloved by all the wide circle of friends
who gathered around her, and not only
by them, but by the many whom she
sought out from the poor, and befrlend-
ed. The wedding day came, and Faith
clad in her bridal robes was more beau
tiful and loving in her fathers and mo-
theirs eyes than ever before. After the
bridal party had passed into the church,
a woman, clad in rusty black, followed
on and stood in the aisle. Those who
saw her weep, wondered why she wept.
What had she to do with the bridal
party? When the guests had left Mr..
Morton's house, and the bride and groom
had gone to their own home, the door
bell rang, and this woman was ushered
into the presence of the lonely father
and mother.
Now that she is gone, can tell you
ALL" she said. "That was my child. [
left it on your doorstep that cold morn
ing long ago. l was a widow with six
children. worked hard from morning
until night, and far into the night often
times, to get them food and clothes.
Sickness was coming upon me, and that
day we were to be carried to the poor
house. That baby was my pet. She
seemed some way better than the rest
What should | do with it? Something
whispered to carry it to you. Nobody
but God knows what it cost me to give
it up. | got up before. daybreak, and
while the children were asleep, and
wrapping my darling up in the only
warm garment | had left, took it and
laid it on your stoop. watched until |
saw it taken in ); then felt you would
keen il. God ONLY knows what YOU kept