The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-01-23


it than otherwise" And again came that
strange, quick contortion of lip and brow,
which had already caught the observant
eye of the doctor.
81 have certainly seen that look before,
but where ?'' questioned the doctor, men
tally. II am sure l have seen it. can
not fix it, but know he looks like some
one | have seen before; but when and
where, am sure l can not tell the like
ness evades as much as it puzzles me-"
"Now, then, my young man." he began
again, when he had seated himself in his
own especial firesde chair, and his cigar
was drawing Just as it should do, while his ?
diminutive guest sat perched upon another
chair, dangling his purple drumsticks of
legs, and holding out his little red feet to
the genial warmth" now, then, want to
know something about you; and, in the
first place, what were you.going to do in my
vestibule? Tell me the truth
"Sleep there" said the boy, quietly.
"That was all.'
"Sleep there? What all night, do
you mean?--on those stone steps this bitter
night Why child you might have frozen
to death before morning."
"Oh, no, guess not answered the boy,
calmly there was n mat under me, and it
seemed real cozy. did not feel so very
cold' D..
"But why in the world did you not 60
| home ~
The child looked wonderingly.. at him for
a moment, as if doubtful he had heard the
question rightly; then lifting his facile
brows with quick grimace, answered
gravely 81 did not know the way, SIR"
"Then why did you not ask a policeman
to take you home?" questioned the gentle
man.
policeman are not overfond of boys, as
a general thing and, besides," he said,
with another strange facial contortion, at
couldn't give him my address; | hadn't my
cards about me-"
"Do you mean that you had no home to
go to?"
"Something considerably like it, SIR"
"And where do you sleep generally~
mer, but the nights are getting rather
chilly now" Another grimace and shrug
of the shoulders
"Tell me how you live. Have you no
father9"
"No," said the boy "entirely out of
that alticle never had any on hand that
know Of"
"No mother either?"
The little fellows bright dark eyes were
suddenly filled with tears, and his mocking
voice choked and grew tender, as he falter-
ed out, "I do not know, SIR"
"You do not know9" questioned the
doctor, sternly.
"No, sir; don't know, indeed. Inever
had father, but did have mother and
home once; but have lost them both 70
"Lost them in what wayp Tell me.'
"But can't tell you, sir, for do not
know it myself only know that ! did
have them once, but have got nothing
now."
"That is very strange, certainly" said
the doctor. "Tell me about your mother,
then. What was she like? ?" fe
"0h, mamma? she was quality!' said
the boy, drawing himself up proudly. 81
did not know it then, but / know it now"
/ "And how do you know it ?"
"Oh, because see such woman get out
{ Of the carriage at Stewards door every day,
, and the boys say they are quality folks;'
and as he spoke the boy slipped from his
chair, drew the thick shawl around him
i with one hand, and gathering up its long,
trailing folds gracefully behind him with
the other, with head erect and dignified
/ but gliding steps, he crossed the room in
life-like imitation of the air and manner of
| well-dressed, stylish woman, who "car-
Iied herself delicately," as did Queen
Esther. "But mamma never comes to
Stewards" he said, sadly, as he returned
TO his seat with dropping head and fearful
eyes; 81 have watched for her there for
hours and hours, but-she never comes"
! "Poor little fellow p said tho kindly
! doctor, touched by the real pathos Of the
child's look and voice. "Tell mo all you
5 can remember about your mother and your
home, and possibly may help you to find
them" 'f
/, ayes, sir there was mamma and grand
1 ma, and old Ponto, and the rocking-horse,
| and there was not anybody else that ]
) remember, but the servants" /" ''fi
I ayes, but how came you to leave themg"