The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-03-30

uoTlu, mao Deeu experimenting MS Rhr
dener 10 some horticultural mysteries !;
and the indy, also short, stout, and
Aorid, had been finishing an elaborate
piece OF embroidery destined to cover a
pair of ottomans for the drawing room.
The conversation naturally turned upon
their occupations, aud Miss Matte said
half signing -
"Sister Gracs aud the children are
coming to morrow to pass the day,
Herbert" Little did they guess the
reasons for the proposed visit.
Dear me ! | hope that young scamp
Walter will let my young pear trees
alone He almost ruined the apricols
last year with his peukniIe-the pen
kuife you gave him, Matte"
"IIe's only boy" said Miss Matte,
indulgrnlly
You spoil him." said the gentleman.
"Who gave him shovel this week
with which he dug up Ill my carna
tions 7" retorted the lady
Where the discussion would have
ended it is impossible to say, but at that
moment the door opened, aud the staid
old waiter man, who remembered the
childhood of the brother and sister,
handed in letter. Mr. Ireton read it
with puzzled face.
"DO you remember anybody named
Riliool p he asked his sister.
"RiIfooll Rillooll What a queer
name !"
"lle is going to send me some game.
| thiuk it must be mistake No, here
is my name aud address, as plain as
print. What kind Of game can it be at
this season 7"
"Whcn is it coming?"
This aiteTnoonl There read the
note"
1t would be useless to deny that Miss
Matte was ia quite hutter over the
uote. Live game Perhaps some rare
birds, that would be fresh ornament
10 her ayiary. She was quite deter.
mined Herbert should never kill them,
IT they were golden pheasants, lop eared
rabbits, or any rarltles of that kind
She took her work to the front window
TO watch for the express wagon. but to
her disgust 1t was driven right past the
window. 1t was long past dinner time,
aud was quite dark, before the long ex.
pecIed ring was heard.
IF it i. hamper of game, bring it
in here, Joseph" said Mr.. Ireton, us
the man servant crossed the hall to
open the door.
"a hamper, sure enough, it is," sal !
Joseph, and obcycd orders.
There was no autter of wings, or
moving of tired feet, as the cover of the
hamper was thrown back. Mr. Ireton
started back with cry of positive hor
ror, but Miss Matte knelt down for a
nearer view Of the unexpected present
Never had she seen a prettier sight than
the sleeping Labe upon the soft pillows
that were iu the hamper Its rosy
checks were shaded by hood of soft
white zephyr, aud white cloak covered
carefully the round little limbs. One
dimpled hand had escaped from the
folds Of the CLOAK, and was thrown
across the breast The parted crimson
lips showed two tiny pearls of teeth,
aud the long, dark eyelashes suggested
dark eyes. A little card was pinned
to the cloak, and on this was written
"My name is Sadie Williams"
Isn't she preltJH" whispered Miss
Matte.
Take her away! Put her 10 the
aims house 7" cried the gentleman.
Live game BY Jove, Matte! its the
first of April. Rilfool A p. Rillool!
April Fool! We were a pair cf old
fools not to see through that signature
before. Take the hamper to the aims
house, Joseph"
mo, mol 1t is too late TO night. Let
her stay tonight. Take her to my
room, Joseph"
Joseph obeyed, muttering, as he did
so: "I'll eat my head if this is not one
Of Master Herbcrts or Miss Amelia 3
pranks."
Much to Mr.. Ireton's disgust he was
obliged to retire without his game oil
backgammon.
Miss Matte says she won't be down
again this evening; the baby's crying
was the message sent in answer TO his
summons.
Miss Matte found she had work till
bed time; undressing the foundling,
sorting out the clothing under the pill
lows in the hamper, filling the bottle
also there with warm milk, fee ding the
little one, and hushing it again to sleep
BY the time the sun rose, aud the little
hands had nestled all night in her bos
ON, Miss Matte would have killed every
pet 10 her aviary before she would have
sent Sadie to the almshouse.
IL took longer to overcome her broth
er's prejudices. He hated babies lie
despised girls There would never be
another hours peace 10 the house
Muttic was crasyl He would send for
policeman to take the child away
aud thousand other objections and
threats, to all Of which Miss Matte lis
tened calmly aud washed, dressed, and
fed her new pet with renewed devotion
repaid by it's growing laugh of pleasure
at her caresses, and the clinging CLASP
Of the baby arms.
Eighteen years passed before again
introduce Miss Sadie Williams to my
readers Herbert and Amelia Ireton
are married, aud Walter is ilourishing
young lawyer, with fair share Of prac-
tice
But there is no greater change in all