The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-11-05
MISS FITCH.
BY LUCY HELEN GUFRN SEY.
TCtn .ulcd.
or AtrsUt Nh m

CHAPTER III.
Miss Fitch was sitting in her pleasant
parlor window sewing on a childs pink
frock. and the little stranger who had fall
len into her hands two weeks before was
bolSiered up in one corner of the comfort
able old sofa. She was provided with a
doli. picture book and kitten by way of
amusement, but sue seemed to find her
greatest pleasure in looking at Miss Fitch
us she sat in the window.
Captain McGregor had made all due in
quiries. but he had learned very little. The
woman had come fl IN New York with the
child few days before, anC had taken
lodgings at decent little tavern near the
water side. She had no baggage. She had
paid her way, but seemed very silent and
reserved. The women of the house dis
covered that she took opium and believed
that she gave it to the child tie keep her
quiet. The little girl seemed weak and
sickly, and rather afraid of the woman, but
she was very good and never complained.
The landady thought both were Spanish or
Portuguese
This was all the captain could find out,
and this he impaired to Miss Fitch. He
also confided to her some wonderful ready
made garments which he had purchase in
town. saying he felt as if he had kind of
right to do something for the child. Miss
Fitch thanked him, and said the things
were very nice.
What do you call her p asked the cap
tain.
" Katy found washed out mark on
some OF her clothes, out of which l can
make out only Car, so we call her Car
ry, and sec seems TO like the name very
we'll"
tl,at 81 -,
her corner TRANQUILITY contemplating Miss
occupation, when both were disturbed by
the entrance of Ira Horton. Ira had heard
III as ea Ic ha9aHn SHcg @ao ha
folks said Miss Fitch was goin' to adopt
her."
"Not if know it," said Ira to himself
81 amt going to have any such child round
among my Young ones. Mary Anne will
have enough to do with them, and she has
just got to hear reason.
Accordingly, the next morning Mr. Hor-
ton 'cauGht a ride" with neighbor, and
came up to Bridgeton, for the double pur-
pose of making his cousin hear reason anC
taking the afternoon boat to Philadelphia.
Miss Fitch received him as usual with due
politeness and some stiffness
~, thut . thC tLlib, 10 IL ciltt ia IT,
garding the little Garry. "a nice time you
have had of it. You shouldn't have let
yourself be taken in SO, Mary Anne shall
give McGregor piece of my mind"
Miss Fitch did not seem to think this re.
mark called for any answer. She meas
ured one slip of cambria by another, and
remained silent.
"However, there's no great harm done
yet" continued Ira. I'm going to town
this afternoon. and III take her along with
me and hand her over to the proper officers
There's no reason in her being burden on
you or on this town"
" Not in the least" answeredsAliss Fitch
placidlY; 60 don't mean she shall be,
either.
"Well, them knew you'd hear to rea-
son, said Ira, relieved to find his task cas-
Ter than he expected. 'I'll call for her this
afternoon at two o'clock"
g 1t is not worth while for you to take
that trouble" said Miss Fitch, 81 can take
the child TO Philadelphia myself when | am
ready to have her 60"
Now, know what that means, Mary
Anne" said Ira impressively, and rising at
the same time. "You are thinking of fix
ing the young one up with clothes or some
such nonsense. There's no use In that I;
il is only wasting time and money. You
have her ready, and I'll take her off your
hands at two precisely"
At two o'clock precisely Ira Horton drove
up to the door in carriage, and jumping
out entered the house without ceremony.
Miss Fitch was working at the window as
before, and looked up with an expression,
if one may say so, of composed surprise.
swell, where's the child % Ira asked
impatiently, Il thought you'd have her all
ready"
Carry" asked Miss Fitch, nnocently
She is up stairs taking nap; she is
hardly strong enough to sit up all day
Ira started. Why, Mary ANIME, what
do ou mean Didn't tell you I'd call fol
her at two o'clock precisely and take
her back to town 2"
should take her back myself when | wished
her to % 60 AT present have no such
" You don't mean to keep her ~ said Irt
Horton.
"Such is my present intention, Mr.. Hor
ton"
Now, Mary Anne, you won't go and bt
such fool?' said Ira, forgetting his pru
duence in his vexation. adopting chill
dren is flying in the face of Providence
anyhow, and if you must have one, there'
them that has got some claim on you"
Indeed know of no children who
have any claim on me, said MSS Fitch
her delicate color rising little.
>" And you don't know the least thin!
about her. said Ira, pursuing his argu
ment. Like as not she's got Niger bloot
in her ! shouldn't wonder bit"
Miss Fitch made no reply.
SNOW, really, Mary Anne, how il looksl
AI.