Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-03-18

advise her daughter; she must act accord
ing to the dictates of here conscience.
Mrs. Allison was too old to share much
in the care, though she would gladly do
what she could if the 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 cradle,
watching over it. "Hc giveth His beloved
Sleep" The Father was watching with
loving eyes over the little one whom no.
body owned, staying where it was so un-
welcome.
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 it away p tits
one of Christ's 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 thoughts. To take
baby was a serious matter. She had
often been asked to adopt child. but she
had always said that she never would do
it-but this had been sent in such a
strange manner. She began to weigh the
fors and againsts about keeping it. The
against scale seemed to go down q great
deal farther 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 hith.
erto enjoyed. But is it right to live only
for ourselves? Did not the Master com.
mand 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 surprised
he too had been pondering 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 completion into sundry
little garments. Some of the ladies said
Mrs. Morton did not know what piece Of
work she had undertaken; others that she
was so foolish to confne herself at home
so much taking care of somebody ese's
baby, whom nobody knew anything about.
Baby did bring great deal of care with
it, more than Mr.. and Mrs. Morton had any
idea off, but they never said or felt that
they regretted the step they had taken.
There were so many stitches to take for
that Mrs. Morton had to take great many
less for herself, and garments that used to
be trimmed and embellished. had to 90 al.
most plain-but what matter? There arc
no rutiles and puffs on the white robe up
there. Christ's robe was without even
seam. There were many wakeful nights |
and wearisome days, but God sent 50 much |
love with the little one, and SO much ad-
ditional strength, that what others called
a burden was blessing to them. 1t led
them heavenward, for it made them less
selfish, less worthy, and they had the hap.
pincss in their hearts which comes of work.
ing for the Master.
When the little voice first uttered Pa
pa" Mr.. Morton thought that baby was
very forward, and Mrs. Allison smiled over
the little red and white stockings she was
knitting, when no asked if babies rs a gen.
eral thing were so cunning and pretty.
Years went on. Faith Morton's baby.
hood aud childhood passed away. Those
that knew Of the circumstances of her
earthly babyhood had forgotten it, and
those who had never heard Of it, 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
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 door and be.
friended. The wedding-day came, and
Faith clad in her bridal robes, was more
beautiful and loving in her fathers and
mothers eyes than ever before. After the
bridal party had passed into the church,
woman, clad in rusty black, followed on
aud 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 bad left Mr.. Morton's house, and the
bride and groom had gone to their home, the
door. bell rang, and this woman was ushered
into the presence Of the lonely father and
mother.
"Now then she is gone, can tell you
ALL" she said. "That was my child, I!
left it on your doorstep that cold morning
long ago. Iwasa widow with six children
| worked hard from morning till night and
far into the night ofteutimes, to get them
food and clothes Sickness was coming
upon me, and that day We were to be carried
to the poorhouse. That baby was nv net.