The Republican journal., 1873-06-26

of the house, meeting both his messengers
in the yard, and receiving information
and bundle.
| Do you know where to find Mr..
! Adams when you get therep" Mr.. Wheeler
| asked, as the two gentlemen stood saying
| a few last words, as the train pulled and
snorted, and took in fresh breath. eyes,
| have his address on my paper. Just
| give me Charlie Wilson'S number. again,
and I'll put it on the same list" and Mr..
Porter funlbled in his pocket for the en-
velope. "What under the sun, moon and
stars IS TO pay now" he muttered, as, to
his utter amazement, he found it empty
Here, I've brought the wrong envelope,
l can't 60 without those addresses Ny
| memoranda is on the same list" Then
| wasn't there q time. Didn't Mr. Porter
tear up the street like mad man, and
dash into the house, look on the mantel-
piece, and hunt in his pockets, and scold
Dick and Fred and Elsie, and rave around
generally, in the midst of which there
came distinct and emphatic voice from
the depot, ''Wh-o- CO. O. 600 !"lsaid the de-
parting train.
There, now said Mr.. Porter, stop
ping his search and folding his arms in a
| sort of comical despair. Now you see
| what you have done! There goes that
| train, and | wouldn't have missed it for
| fifty dollars and all the result of careless
| ness" Fred ventured to make remark
"Who has done it, father?"
" That's just what l should like to
know, and it's what mean to find out
| Now which of YOU children meddled with
| that envelopes"
Il wasn't here" said each OF the three
children in breath
"Oh no. there were none of YOU here,
OF course; You never are, when mischief
is done. No doubt the letter jumped out
OF the envelope and walked off itself
Fred, where were you, s;r,''
81 was down ri the foot of the hill with
| Charles Wheeler, looking at his new kite :;
just this minute got in"
"And. papa" said Elsie, ~ went to
Mr. Wheeler's to see about that package,
you know Don't you know, you met me
ut the gate and told me goodbye 90
Just then dismaved exclamation from
Mrs. Porter arrested attention. In her
haste to get clamp clothes off from ner
Baby Nell, she had set the tumbler back
on the mante, and now as she stood me-
chanically fishing alter the floating paper,
her eye caught one word, and the truth
flashed upon her.
The cul prt stood revealed. 1t was
rather Il damper on Mr.. Porter's enthu-
siasm; he couldn't scold Baby Nell, for
she would have laughed and crowed. and
thought herself having a grand frolic.
He couldn't shut her up in her room, and
tell her to stay there all the forenoon, for
he we'll knew she could do more mischief
shut up in Il room for five minutes that
he could undo in as many hours; so he
turned his anger toward Dick: 'FWhat
Were You about I'd like to know, that you
let the baby do ANYTHING she chooses ?
What are you hired for, pray? If you
are worth no more than that, you'd better
90 home"
"lf you please, sir. Dick began Mrs.
Porter sent me to the store to bring that
bundle from the drawer, and hurried all
the way and Just got back in time"
Then there was no one to look after
the baby" said Mr. Porter, looking re-
proachtully at his wife.
No, OF course he wasn't acre. He is
never where he ought to be- You see
what comes Of heedlessness, young man.
I GU can 60 to you room and stay there
till dinner time;n and then without as
much as a glance at Baby Nell, who Sc
renely sucked the toe of her slipper, and
was the only merry one of the party, Mr..
Porter took his hat, and banged himself
out.
Dinner was rather solemn meal with
Mr.. Porters family that day. The head
OF the house had not recovered his good
hulnor. 1t was a sore disappointment,
and an Inconvenience TO him not to be in
the city at that moment; and Master
Fred, considering himself unjustly treat
ed, ate his potato in solemn not to say
sullen silence. BY the time they came to
the rice pudding, with raisins in it, Mr.
Wheeler burst in unannounced He looked
very pale, and good deal excited
well, sir, he said, 'syou have reason
to give that baby OF yours good many
extra kisses to-day. You haven't heard
the news, | suppose ?"
Haven't heard anything" said Mr..
Porter, shortly, "All | know is, I ought
to be in the city now, and am here
For which, tell you, you have cause
your life. There has been an awful acct
bClL tliC IOFF I-ul ak COlutltu Will LQt
eleven O'Clock express, and there has been
terrible slaughter. | don't know how
many killed-some say hundreds They
have telegraphed up here for surgeons
and nurses and the doctors are all going
down now on the one o'clock.
Then there were EXPLANATIONS of con-
sternation, and terror and thankfulness,
all mingled together. When Mr. Wheeler
hurried away, he left paler faces around
the Porter table, and just as solemn ones,
faces wonderfully subdued.
''What a singular escape ~ Mrs. Porter
murmured, and as Baby Nell gave one of
her sudden springs forward, and signifed
her desire to climb out of her chair to her
fathers shoulder, he took her in his arms,
and laid his hand on her curly head, with
tender moved look in his eyes. "She
little knows what she has done to-day"
he said, softly. Then suddenly looking
towards Fred, he said in voice that was
a little husky, Erred, my boy, pass your
plate, and let father give you some more
pudding" But Fred's appetite was gone,