Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1874-07-31


law and order.
His blue eyes danced and sparkled
even yet, though they commenced their
shining nearly fifty years ago.
John had married rather late III life,
and had then chosen Il young girl
whose beauty charmed him, but who
never lived to grow beyond her child
ishness: and when she babe him '.good-
bye" he felt so desolate, that had it
not been for the baby-girl that was left
to him, he would have abandoned
home and old associations perhaps for
ever.
It was this baby, now three years
old, that Rachel wanted. She had
long pined after the poor little mother
less thing, and felt that she could love
it up into womanhood, better than the
old childish grandmother. or even the
careful, loving father himself.
"Well, Rachel" answered John, so
moderately that she wanted to shake
him, don't 90 to getting yourspunk up
so. | havn't said You couldn't have
the baby. In fact | think You mighty
kind and good to be willing to wear
yourself out raiSin' it. Yer know
there amt no one else | would trust it
to sooner than You. When shall /
bring it to YER" speaking as if the
Il" were stray kitten he was goinG to
part with.
Rachel. with her characteristic
promptness, replied, "To-day;;" and
so, after Few simple arrangements, it
was decided that 'SuSie," as she call
ed herself. was henceforth to be Ra-
chel's particular care. John reserved
to himself though, all his fatherly
rights.
Susan had always shown a special
fondness for "auntie" Rachel. and was
quite willing to come to such a loving
heart.
All Scranton was reused up. such
a queer thing for Rachel Pickering to
do. What upon earth did she 20 and
adopt John Hines Susie for" And,
swelling with the sense ofinjury. some
where TO somebody, old Mrs. Mtrssle,
putting and blowing, made her appear
ance at Rachel's front door the next
day.
There sat Susie right in the midst
of Rachel's flower garden, her little
apron filled with flowers, and she the
picture Of childish delight
well. child, how DO YOU do: Like
living with Rachel:' yas her first ex-
clamation.
ooh, yes; l like auntie 'Achel. |
her little dirl now
As Rachel appeared at the door just
then, Mrs. Mussle's attention was ii
verted, and as she said good morning.
Mrs. Pickering" she stepped inside
and seated herself with an eXpectant
air.
But as we'll attempt to fathon the
Elensinian mysteries as to extract any
thing she didn't wish to tell from Ra-
chel Pickering.
She responded good morning" to
Mrs. Muscles greeting, and then came
Il pause.
Finally, Mrs. Mussle ventured re-
mark in an interrogatory form.
$50 you've adopted John Hines lit
tie girl, havn't you, Miss Pickering =
"Yes," was the reply.
/ This was rather discouraging, but
she thought she would try again.
Do you intend to change the chiId's
name to Pickering:"
"No," said Rachel.
swell, Miss Pickering | suppose you
will do well by the child, but | ha'nt
time to make much ola visit; | thought
I'd run over and see how You were get
ting on. Good morning. And she
departed wondering to herself what
possessed people to make such d my8-
tarv ont of pothipcr
Rachel never could bare her inmost
feelings to anyone. She loved the lit
tie bright-eyed girl and there was an
unsatisfied longing in her heart until
I she had her under her she!tering wing.
Perhaps too, way down somewhere,
so far down that she would hardly ac-
knowledge it to herself, there lurked
something of the old feeling that held
possession thirty years ago for Susie's
father.
! The days flew rapidly by and all
Scranton had ceased to wonder at Ra-
chefs queer freak. The little golden
head had grown accustomed to nestle
night after night near the great moth
erly heart, and the little childish