Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-02-17
A BABY !-WHAT WILL THEY DO
WITH 1T

A BABY ?-WHAT WILL THEY DO
WITH 1T
A baby? Left on our doorstep, too
Who dared do such thing as to leave
a baby here - Those were the excla-
nations af Mrs. John Morton, one cold
morning, as the servant girl bounced
into the dining-room with a 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 un-
welcome.
You see, ma'a am said Bridget, 9 !
went out to get the morning paper and
to sweep off the stoop, and l 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 | opened the shawl, | sees a
baby"
"What will you do with it?" says
Mrs. Morton.
"Send it to the police station at
once," replied her husband. " Here,
Michael" he continued; "tal<e this
child to the station, and tell themit was
left on our stoop."
"Let me look at it first said Mrs.
Allison, Mrr Morton's mother, as she
arose from the breakfast table and ap-
preached the childless couple, who
were already bending over the waif. AS
the old shawl was thrown off from the
babe, like Moses in the bulrushes, " Be
hold it wept."
"It is hungry" said Mrs. Allison
"How thin it's little arms and hands
are. 1t looks as if it was nearly starved
Let us feed it before we send it away"
Bridget had been a child's nurse; she
had already prepared some food, and
was bringing it to the dining-room. 4"
ran through the yard, ma'am, and got
Mrs. Worthington's baby's bottle, and
she's coming right over to see." The
baby took its nourishment eagerly, and
then fell asleep.
It's garments are very clean, though
quite poor" said Mrs. Allison, as she
began to examine the little ones wrap
pings.
Yes, and we don't know anything
about the blood" said Mr.. Morton. Z"
think a great deal of the blood. One
wants to know what sort and quality he
takes across his threshold"
:" AS to the sort" replied Mrs. ALI
son, in low tone of voice, {" it is one OF
those whom Christ took into His arms
and blessed notwithstanding the re,
Dukes of His Disciples; and as to the
quality, 'Of such is the kingdom OF
heaven.'
"Well," said Mr.. Morton, "you wo-
men must do what you think best. The
car is coming and must go down town
Michael can take it any where you con-
clude to send it, There is Home for
the Friendless, an orphan asylum, and
half dozen other charitable lnstltu'
tions where they take such things
AS Mr.. Morton passed out Of the door
he encountered a number OF ladies IN
their morning wrappers rushing IN to
Get a glimpse of the wonderful arrival.
The gentleman jumped on to the plat.
form of the car with only a hurried
"good morning" lest he should be over.
whelmed with such questions as "What
will he do with it ?" Who on earth put
| it there ?" etc.
We'll, really" exclaimed Mrs. Mon
tague, as she went into the dining room,
"vou are in trouble enough. I'm Sc
| glad it wasn't left at our house." and
the pretty little woman shrugged he1
shoulders as she bent over the little
sleeper now lying on the sofa.
wouldn't keep it minute; the Longer
YOU keep it the harder it will be to get
rid of it.
"What will they do with it = asked
Mrs. Turner of any one who might
choose to answer so difficult a question
Mrs. Morton couldn't take care of il
because she isn't used to children
80 no, indeed" said bustling Mrs
Worthington. Give had four children
and | know what it is to take care o1
them. To be sure I've always had q
nurse for each child. You know my ner
vous system would not admit of my
having the care of them. | love them
dearly. but my nerves are too weak tc
have them with me much of the time
but | see that they have good nurses
and 1 can't help the rest
eyes," said Mrs. Hartwell, who
hadn't any children, and hoped she
never would have, "you have beer
married ten years, Mrs. Morgan, ano
are such a nice housekeeper, and SC
precise in your living that baby would
turn everything topsy turvy, and yor
would have to work across the grain al
the rest of your life. Inever could take
other peoples children"
What will they do with it, Mrs
Allison? p asked another lady who hac
stood by silent, and always concurrec
in everybody's opinion. The mother o
thirty years ago was this good old lady
She had brought up six children in the
davs when mothers were old-fashioned
she never had nurse for one of them
Her own hands had made all their gar
ments, and her nerves were firm enough
to bear all their childhood grievances
and to adjust all their young hearts
+,o,bloc and differences She haC