The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1873-09-26
TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF.

Ir's a shame, - said Mrs. Fogg. rs she
hurried away. after the funeral of Mrs.
Grant. escaping from the poor, desolate
room where two children. almost babes.
were sleeping, unconscious that they were
motherless. Its a shame that nobody1l
take them
"les-a bitter shame,' replied a neigh
Dor, who was also going of as fast n she
could. 80 rs to SHIFT responsibility 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 I'LL She cares
Well, >omebodyM have to answer for
it," said Mrs. Fogg. Asfor me, I've got
young ones enough OF my own"
We lett Mrs. Cole i'm the room. She
has only one child. and her husband is
well-to-do. can't believe she'll have the
heart to turn away from them"
"She's got the heart for anything. But
well See"
Mrs. Cole did turn away from the sleep
ing babes. signing aloud. with q forced
sigh that Others might hear, and give her
credit for a sympathy and concern She did
not feel.
At last all were gone-all but IA man
named Wheaton, and "A poor woman, not
able 10 take care of herself.
What's to become Of these children -
said Wheaton.
Don't know. poor-house. | s'pose,'
answered the oman
"POor-housc."
"Yes. Nobody wants EN-, and there's
no place else for 'em."
Mamma. mammal cried "A plaintive
voice. and "A tlaxen-haired child, not much
over a year old. rose up in bed. and looked
p%iteously about the room. Il want mann
ma"
A great. choking sob came into the mans
throat.
Then the other child awoke. and said.
"Dontcry. sissy. Mammals zone away."
AT this the little one began crying Bit
tcrly.
Il can't stand this. no how said the
man. speakingin a kind OF desperate way
and. going to the bed. he gathered the two
children in his arms. hushing and comfort
ing them with soothing words.
What ON earth have you got there 2"
exclaimed Mrs. Wheaton. as her husband
came striding into the room. where She sat
mending one of his well-worn garments.
Two babies, :" he answered. in a voice
so unusual that Mrs. Wheaton dropped
her work on the floor. and rose up in
amaZcment.
Nnats
Mrs. Coles two babies. I've been over
10 the funeral and | tell you. Jane. it
wasn't in me TO see these little things cart
ed off to the almShouse. There wasn't a
woman To look after them-no. not one.
Every soul sneaked of but Polly Jones.
and shes no account. YOU know. just
look at their dear little faces !" And he
held them in his arms. andlet their tender.
fearful, half-frightened. half-wondering
eyes plead their cause with his wife. and
they did not plead in vain.
Surprised n she was. and with an in
slant protest in her heart. Mrs. Wheaton
could not. in the presence of these moth
erleSS little ones, utter a word of remon-
STRANGE. She took the youngest one from
the arms of her husband. and spoke Ia il
tendcrly. The child sobbed two or three
times, and then laid it, head against her
bosom. There was an influx of motherly
love IN the heart of this woman. who had
never been a mother. the instant her breast
felt the pressure of the baby's head. and
the arm that drew il closer with an invol-
untary impulse was moved by this new
love.
Not many words passed between the
husband and WHEAT least. not then.
though thought was very busy with both
OF them. Mrs. Wheaton's manner toward
the children vas kind wen TO tenderness.
and this manner q their confidence. and
drew from them such looks and ways and
little expressions of satisfaction as touched
her heart. and filled 1t with n loving in
terpst.
Affer nightfall, when supper was over.
and the children asleep. Mr.. and Mrs.
Wheaton sat down together. each showing
. little reserve and embarrassment. Mrs.
Wheaton was the first to speak.
What were you thinking about. John. z"
said she almost sharply. II can't have
these children"
Wheaton did not lift his eyes, nor an
swer. but there was a certain doggpd and
resolute air about him that his wife no
ticed n unusual.
Somebody else must take Them she
said.
The county will do IT," Wheaton re-
piled.
1.-The county !"
Yes. There's room for them at the
almshouse. and nowhere else, that | know
Of. unless they stay here
unless they stay hcrc!' Mrs. Whca-
tons voice rose a little. ats easy enough
to say that-but who's to take care of
thcmg"
It's a great undertaking. | know an
twered the husband. meckly. yet with a J