South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-07-07

croucheG strange, shrunken old figure, as
| like to a mummy as anything alive could
possibly be. At the one window sat = IL
dy-looking girl, busily sewing.
| 81 have come, | said, addressing the GIRL
who looked up with n startled face, 'to find
out something about this boy
%, Granny remembers when he came
here, Don't you, Granny 2 she shrieked in
the old creatures ear. dts about Tin
The woman wants to know. Old Heens
brought him here, didn't lie
yes, muttored the old woman with ma
ny mods, her bright eyes fixed on my face.
''Heeps he did. Stole 'cn, he did. al
way kGowed it,
Who is size His mammy p
| shook my head.
'Iecps is dead now. He was wieked
man. pursued the cid woman: sand he
stole that child. | remember he wasn't
much more than baby then, and there was
an accident out on the i. ROAD dread
full smash up. When Keeps brought that
boy home, he had on pretty clothes, aud
| pretty trinkets, hey, did he; and if Keeps
hadn't had US all under his little finger.
/ there d Il been trouble, there would. But
Keeps is dead now, aud I'm glad Of it. |
am he did sight of dirty work, did
/ Keeps
I My heart beat high. Providence was
doubtless leading me to right the wrongs
of this hell leSs child.
q supposed Keeps christened him Tin
Toodles,' said
yes, Miss, that's what be alters He'd
him, and that's what he's been going by
/ ever since Keeps learned him TO tumble.
and I'll say for linn that he sought sight
10y the boy and when llcopa died, why tho
woman up stairs took him, and he males
all the money she gifts. She's a good heart
cd crirter is Mattio, barring she loves the
/ drink
/ learned what could from this old woman
! twho assures mo that she was ninety-cirht)
4bout the accident, aud telling Tip TO call
at my house on tic following day, return
cd home, full Of speculation Suppose,
and suppose aud supposo-my dreams aud
my waking hours were full of supposing ]
took the boy home with inc at lpst, dress
ed him IN neat new clothes, aud sent him
TO school
For one year he had been with me, pro-
wing himself promising and capable in
more ways than one. lie was, Of course,
backward in his studies, but extremely in
/ tciiigcnt. In fact, day after day I found
/ him developing beautiful character, aud
day after day grew to love him more
/ Old Matte became my pensioncr, every
Saturday she called to see the boy, aud She
never went away cmpty-handed.
Ooc beautiful autumn day (shall | ever
forget tho fragrance and calm Of that day
the wonderful tintiug Of the elm trees,
/ the pale, golden spcudor Of The October
sun , handsome carriage drove UP TO the
door and servant in livery banded in
card, on which ! read
] 'lIon. James Corbet
The name was entirely new to me. New
crthc!ass, | gave my orders to fho servant,
slipped of my workiug-apron, and, as soon
/ as could compose my startled nerves, en-
tered the parl]r. Two persons rose as /
/ came IN lady and n gentleman.
The former was t.il and strikingly beau
uiuI thc man, yet IN the primo Of life,
and handsome, gave mo the impression of
q powerful character. | was quite propar-
cd for what followed.
some months ago. said the gentleman,
Understand you advertised for the roa-
T tVes Ut child supposed 10 be killed By the
terrible accident Of foF,y-uinc.'
bowed, with ilutta~ng hcalt.
Ny sister was on board tho il-fatci
train said the lady, very quietly, but ]
saw her lip trcmble and We hope, We be-
lievc, from the description, that the boy
/ you name was her child, the son Of this
gentleman, my br0thor-in law.
'Caa we sec him p asked Mr. Corbcs.
/ 2. rr.t. d
where hIiie Tip was busiy engaged 10
making b)bs tor magnificent kite which
had that morning bought for him. For
one h'mont | paused, -9rr1wfuIly, 70 lool,
e. the Ee.ura-tLc boy with bis flushed
ohoef. parking eyes, pretty curling looks
and round. whuo t.r1s..
-" ling, -.il J. Jlay
Me looked mp with bright smile.
see what iut Of th.u be exclaimed.
tossing tho papor-byb5 up. I'm most
through
Como with nae, dear, said 'gomoboiy
wants 90 see YOU
Ito spraug % bis feet, and a. that mo-
inehl knew Tue boy was DO longer mine t1
love and cherish. The likeness TO the beau
,Iul woman 30 iho pari0r was striking. I
uhl noN'cd DO FROM the FIRST.
smo,'hci his head a .itlo and lead him
~. in another moment, with strong emo
li'n, The gentleman sai3. chat Is IIe.on's
boy
ana os ! saw tbcm crying over him and
cnuracng him the child sfortieI aud won
uorIlng icii both glad and sorry.
10 ! lost iiulc TIP To5jlcs but perhaps
% is his gain Ny boy comes often 30 sec
me- and sometimes [ 81 To pay him a short