Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-01
A Baby y!-What will They do with 1t!

\ lady = W hat VIII lhcl 10 WIN IL
ny MRS s. 7. PERRY
"a baby! Left on our doorstep, too
Who dared do such a thing as to leave baby |
hero :" These were the cxclamatious Of Mrs. !
John Norton one cold morning, as the servant /
girl bounced into the dining-room with a
bundle iu her arms, aud made the announce
mont that a baby had been left on the stoop.
OF all the bundles that had ever boen left at
John Mortons house. this was the most un-
looked for and most unwocomc.
" You see, ma'am," said Bridget, " went
out to get the morning paper and to sweep off
the stoop aud sees this bundle lying on tho
mat. went to lin it in my arms, and it
moved, and says to myself, What can this
be and when ! opened the shawl, | sees a
baby
What will we do with it," said Mrs.
Morton.
Send it to the police station at once, re-
piled her husband Here, Michael" he con-
tinuod, take this child to the station and tell
them it was left on our stoop"
" Let me look at it first, said Mrs. Allison,
Mrs Mortons mother, as she arose from the
I breakfast table and approached the childess
couple, who were already bending over the
little waf As the old shawl was thrown off
/ from the babe, like Moses in the bulrushes,
" Behold it wept"
1T is hungry" said Mrs Allison. "liow
thin its little arms and hands are. 1t looks
as if il was nearly starved. Let US feed it
before we send it away"
Bridget had been chid's nurse she had
already prepared some food, and was bring
ing it to the dining-room. ran through
the yard, ma am, and got Mrs. Worthiugtons s
babys bottle, aud she is coming right over to
see" The baby took its hourishment eager
ly, aud then fell asleep.
" Its garments are very clean, although
, quite poor" said Mrs. Allison, as she began
to examine the little ones wrappings.
Yes, and we don't know anything about
the blood" said Mr.. Morton. | think a
great deal OF the blood One wants to know
: what sort and quality he takes across his
? threshold.n
Il" As to the sort" replied Mrs Allison in
+ low tone of voice. it is one Of those
r whom Christ took into His arms and blessed
a Notwithstanding tho rcbukes of His disciples
c and as to the quality, -" OF such is the king
dom of heaven"
Well, said Mr.. Morton, "you womeI
must do what you think best. The car il
coming and | must 20 down town Mchae
d, can take it any where you coeclude to seu'
:. it, There is " Home for the Friendless,
a an orphan asylum, and a half dozen othe
charitable institutions where they take sue
IF. things"
i As Mr. Morton passed out Of the door h
Al encountered number Of ladies in their morn
j ing wrappers rushing in to get glimpse q
m the wonderful arrival. The gentleman JUMP
n ed on to the platform of the ear with only
d hurried good morning" lest he should b
j. overwhelmed with such questions as "WhG
will you do with it?n 4" who on earth pit
If it there ," &c, &c.
,d "Wel, really" exclaimed Mrs. Moutagu
re as she went into the dining-room, you are
~ trouble enough. I'm so glad it wasn't left
r. our house." and the pretty little woma
IN shrugged her shoulders as she bent over Il
Is. little sleeper now lying on the sofa. "
q. wouldn't keep it minute; the longer yc
Of keep it the harder it will be to get rid of it
il "What will they do with it !" asked Nj
"a Turner Of any one who might choose to answ
cd so difficult question. Mrs. Morton couldr
At take care Of it because she isn't used to ch
in dren'
n. 81 o no, indeed said bustling Mrs. Wort
ly ington I've had four children and | knC
"a. what it is to take care of then TO be su
,es I've always had nurse for each child, a
nd never slept with one night You know Il
nervous system would not admit of my hav
the care of them love them dearly, b
my nerves are too weak to have them wi
me much Of the time; but | see that tn
have good nurses, and | can't help the res
W W. Yes" said Mrs. Hartwell, who hadn't a
"a, children, and hoped she never would ha
at "you have been married ten years, Mrs NJ
ton, and are such nice housekecpcr, and
precise ia your living that baby would tr
everything topsy turvey, and you wouldhave
work across the grain all the rest of your Ii
ID" never could take other peoples children
What will they do with it, Mrs. Alisol
'uH asked another lady who had stood by sile
guy and always concurred in everybody's opini
''u The mother of thirty years ago was this &
old lady. She had brought up six children
ur, the days when mothers were old.fashion'
=, iSu she never had nurse for one Of them.
VIZ own hands made all their little garments, 1
.eu y. her nerves were firm enough to bear all tn
-" childhood grievances, and to adjust
-, 10 their young hearts troubles and differenc
'ue She had heard this conversation, and her go
,o., warm, mothcrly heart felt troubled.
uI' Ut, What could she answer2 If it had b.
''u years ago she would have taken the little "
i'u into her own nest, made it welcome, aud cal
sr oL' it her own. But she would not advise.
ioA daughter she must act according to
"F- dictates Of her own conscience Mrs. ALI
ecu was too old to share much in the care, thol
r' she would gladly do what she could if b
stayed.
The ladies discussed the question at no
in each others houses, and down town sh
aud ping. Meanwhile baby slept on, slept
art, sweetly as il in its own cradle, at its
and home, with loving mother watching over
the " He giveth His beloved sleep" The Fa:
md was watching with loving eyes over the Ii
all one whom nobody owned, staying wher'
call was so unwelcome
ing Mother" said Mrs. Morton, after
sps ladies had gone out, "what will we do v
oh, it2 Do you think it is our duty to keep
ere baby"
and Daughter" she replied, "haye you
ear misgivings about sending it away2 1t is
Of Of Christ's little ones. Feed My lam
the she continued as she left the room to ask
Yer what they should do with it,
IDS, After Mrs. Allison left the room Mrs. N
row ton was left to her own thoughts. TO tax
Ills, baby was a serious matter She had OF
of been asked to adopt child, but sho
the always said that she never would do it,
rest this had been sent to her in a strange mani
no She began to weigh the lors and again
me, about keeping it, The against scale seen
10 90 down rreat deal further than the 9th