The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-08-30

could be done. Harry staid by and
comtorted US. Sleep was not thought of.
We walked the floor, we went listlessly
from room TO room.
sob, if Dot could only cry" said
Harry, with streaming eyes. | looked
at her. Would her heart break?
1t was a dreadful risk, but worth the
chance. | went into Dots bedroom,
and, hunting about there, found little
worn velvet cap, with its shred Of gold
lace and its dilapidated tassel. We had
fancled that the baby looked particu-
larry lovely in it, and had been 10th to
throw it aside.
"Dot, darling, you know you threw
down his coat and his new cap on the
bed when you decided not TO take him.
He must have put them on himself
See here is the old cap, dear.
| put it into her lap. She had been
rocking back and forth, her face in her
hands. She dropped her hands now,
gazed at the poor little chapeau, and great
sobs began TO shake her.
"Oh, my baby, my baby !" she cried,
and rushing torrent OF tears swept
away the icy despair that had controlled
her.
1t was better after this. Dot could
talk, and her sorrow was easier 10 bear
when it could be put INTO words.
Il think Of him wandering into those
vile streets, and the poor on cast chill
dIen crowding around him--he must
seem like an angel 10 them, or little
king-and perhaps one ruder than the
rest tears OFT his cap, and another seizes
his cloak, and he is cold, and the winter
wind blows his hair about, and he wants
mamma, and he gets hungry, and-oh,
Ruthy, how can | bear it2"
Dot cries at the picture, and directly
new combinations arise.
We see him running up and down the
streets, and he grows more and more
heartbroken in his longings and hunger
for his sweet mamma.
Just in the gray of the morning the
bell rang again. 1t had been ringing
at intervals all night, and again and
again our hopes had been kindled only
10 die.
Harry went down. Dot and listened
at the head of the stairs.
"It's nothing, darling" | SAID, with
my arm around her waist.
But Dots quicker ear, or more likely
her mother instinct, OWNED the truth.
She broke from my arms with cry and
ran down. / followed, and there was
the blessed baby in the arms OF strange
young gentleman.
Those arms yielded him instantly.
How he was kissed and cried over
What congratulations, what tumult of
Thanksgiving, what tears, what sobbing
laughter received this unwilling prodi-
gal Was it not all witnessed by the
handsome young stranger? who was no
stranger after all, but an Old friend OF
Harry's, called by him Jack, as familiar.
ly as if he had been his brother.
1t was long, pathetic story, but the
gist of it was that Mr.. Conway had res
cued the baby from the clutches of a
beggar, who undoubtedly meant to use
him as capital in her trade.
:" | tried to find out his name," said
Mr.. Conway. laughing; but all | could
learn was that mamma was dot, and
he was Dots Baby"
Mr.. Conway retired after being, |
hope, properly thanked and refreshed.
1t was breakfast time now, but who
cared for breakfast? We gathered
around the table, however, happy if
not hungry party.
Harry, who is Jack Conway ?" asked
Dot.
:" He is an old comrade Of mine. We
stood shoulder TO shoulder at Antietam
and Gettysburg"
Shoulder to shoulder and he five
feet seven, and you-seven feet five, is
it? ?"
"a capital fellow" proceeded Harry,
not noticing Dots irrelevant Interrupt
ton. SIN a banking concern down.
town"
Mr.. Ascot" remarked Dot, with a
curious look in her eyes, "may | be al.
lowed TO ask why you have never intro
duced this capital fellow to the bosom
of your family 2"
" Never thought of it, | suppose.
Why?"
"Why? why ?" cried Dot. ooh, the
ineffable stupidity of the masculine
mind Because, you precious goosie,
he is the man predestined from the
foundation of the world to be Ruthy's
husband"
"Ah - said Harry, and surveyed me
with a new and critical interest.
" Nonsense, Dot you're crazy !" l
cried.
Not at all. Pm a much abused and
seeress of whom my fam
lily are not worthy. Never blush, dear.
See if my prophecy doesn't come true"
II did-it raally did AL - all oo,,,o