The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1873-01-10

ana lie almost thought II StllfeU Il nlIit,
as the sunbeams. full of flickering, dUS-
ty notes, laid long. bright figures upon
it. He opened the shawl, half dreading
to see the wan face by daylight; and oh,
wonder! the great SorroWful eyes were
wide open, and the baby looked in his
face with the mute, appealing patience
Of one used to nothing but utter neg
lect, and making no claim upon amy
loving care.
How soon the fire blazed again upon
the hearth, and how tenderly Toms
clumsy fingers held the cup, with its
draught of strong coffee, to the baby's
mouth. He had a vague impression
that milk WAS the proper food for ba-
bies. But milk he had none; and the
little one showed its appreciation of the
situation by eagerly swallowing the
coffee, and going off into a sleep Il shade
less like death. 1t slept on and on. while
Tom ate his breakfast and took counsel
of his heart IN bring Mistress Me
Bride to look at it, " said Tom, at last.
And 50 he did
The m0therly old body laid it tender
ly on her knee, chafed the thin, paIld
hands, and stretched ont the little
cramped feet to the blaze. while Tom
looked on, wondering and anxious.
So, 50, poor thing, poor lamb.' said
the nurse. Shes beginning to come
round a bit Deed, then, Mister Lar
kin, the croolty of this world is past
belieyin'. The baby's been druggrd
till its brains is all of Il water an 10
think Of layin' the poor innocent on the
track"
Might have been dropped acciden-
tai, " suggested Tom.
Might be- said the nurse, "some
poor drunken creetW'." And she dipped
her finger in the coffee and moistencd
the baby's mouth.
Here's teeth, Mister Larkin,' > said
she, triumphantly-''s 'stummick teeth
and grinders; the baby's goin' on two
year, if she's a day. | wouldn't won
der now, if she pulled through, after
ALL
Tom S face lighted up, as if this were
good news; and then fell again. as he
added: " Her motherll be after her,
most like
Like enough, said the nurse. 'some
poor .creatur' has used her for beggin'
purposes; and she's been dlugged with
gin and what not to keep her from
grOwin'."
Tom looked so angry that she fastened
to add: There's a-many folks does it,
and maybe this one got sick Of the cLld
and left it. Look at that, now, - said
she, as the baby opened her eyes and
fixed them on the dancing flames
she's comm round peart enough. An
what'n you do with her, then, Mister
Larkin?"
Keep her, " said Tom, without any
hesitation.
THE Lord he good to We. Mister Lar
kin. The baby's sure to bring a bless
ing, coming on Christmas. and Sunday
too" And the old nurse bent her gray
head and kissed the little skinny face on +
her knee.
Poor baby. She knew well enough .
what blows meant, aud cold and hun
ger; but in al her little life she had no
experience OF love and tenderness. 50
She lay quiet and unresponsive, only
her eyes seemed to follow the dancing
flames
I'm go and see to my old man, now,
said Mistress Mcbride. Just you lay
her in the warm, and give her time to
come rightly to herself. I'll brew her
some porridge, and fetch it after a
bit
News travelled fast at the crossing;
and by the time Mistress Mcbride start
ed out with her bowl of porridgp all the
neighbOrs knew of the baby at Tom Lar
kin's. I'D take it kindly of you, Mis-
ter Larkin, " said the nurse, if you'd
come over in a friendly way and have
your bit of dinner with us. There's
my old man, bed-ridden, as you may say,