Litchfield enquirer., 1871-04-06
TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF.
A SENsIBDE STORY.

"It's shame" said Mrs. Fogg, as she hurried away after the funeral of Mrs. l Grant, escaping from the poor, desolate room where two children, almost babes, l were sleeping, unconscious that they were ! motherless. Its shame that nobody'l] take them'
 "Yes, bitter shame ?"' replied neigh. DOT, who was also getting off as fast as she could, so as to shift the responsibility up- on some other shoulders. "There's Mrs. Grove she might take them as well as not. But they'll go to the poor house, for all she cares" We'll, somebody'il have to answer for it. said Mrs. Fogg. ''As for me. I've got young ones enough of my own." "We left Mrs. Cole in the room. She has only one child, and her husband is well-to-do. cant believe she'll have the heart to turn away from them.'
 Mrs. Cole did turn away from the sleep. ing babes. signing aloud with forced sigh that others might hear, and give her credit for sympathy and concern she did not feel. @
 At last all were gone-all but man na- med Wheaton, and poor woman, not able to take care of herself.
 "What's to become of these children ?" said Wheaton.
 Don't know. Poor-h house, sapposs,' D answered the woman.
 "Poor-house P
 Yes nobody wants 'em, and there's no place else for 'em.'
 Mamma mamma ?" cried plaintive voice, and faxen-haired child, not much over year old, rose up in the bed and looked piteously about the room. II want mamma"
 A great, choking sob came into the mans throat.
 Then the other child awoke and said. Don't cry, sissy. Mammals gone away. ,"
 At this the little one began crying bit terly.
 Il can't stand this nohow," said the man, speaking in kind of desperate way; and, going to the bed, he gathered the two children in his arms, flushing and comfort ing them with soothing words.
 "What on earth have you got there ?' exclaimed Mrs. Wheaton, as her husband came striding into the room where she sat mending one of her well-worn garments.
 "Two babies r he answered, in voice SO unusual that Mrs. Wheaton dropped her work on the floor and rose in amazement.
 "What ?"
 Mrs. Grants two babies. I've been over to the funeral, and tell you, Jane, it wasn't in me to see them little things carted off to the alms-house. There wasn't woman to look after them-no not one. Every soul sneaked off but Polly Jones, and she's of no account, you know. Just look at their dear little faces ?" and he held them up in his arms, and let their tender, fearful, half-frightened, half-won- dering eyes plead their cause with his wife, and they did not plead in vain.
 Surprised as she was, and with an in. stant protest in her heart, Mrs. Wheaton could not, in the presence of these mother. less little ones, utter 8 word of remon- strance. She took the youngest one from the arms of her husband and spoke to it tenderly. The child sobbed two or three times and t4en laid It's head against her bosom. There was an influx of mother love into the heart of this woman, who had never been mother, the instant her breast felt the pressure of the baby's head, and the arm that drew it closer with an in- voluntary impulse was moved by this new love.
 Not many words passed between the husband and wife-at least not then. though thought was very busy with both of them. Mrs. Wheaton's manner toward the children was kind even to tenderness, and this manner won their confidence and drew from them such looks. and ways, and little expressions of satisfac- ton, as touched her heart and filled it with 8 loving interest. After nightfall, when supper was over. and the children were asleep. Mir. and Mrs. Wheaton sat down to. gether, each showing pile of reserve and embarrassment Mrs. Wheaton was the first to speak.
 "What were you thinking about, John ?" she said, almost sharply. ii can't have these children
 Wheaton did not lift his eyes, nor an. swer, but there was certain dogged and resolute air about him that his wife noti- ced as unusual.
 s' Somebody else must take them," she said.
 !" The county will do it, Wheaton re- piled.
 The county ?"
 "Yes. There's room for them at the alms-house, and nowhere else that know of, unless they stay here.
 "Unless they stay here ]" Mrs. Whea- toms voice rose little. :. It's easy to say that; but who is to take care of them ?''
 "It's great undertaking. know,'' an. swered the husband, meekly, yet with new quality in his voice that did not es- cape the quick ear of his wife, "and the burden must fall on you