New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-01
HALF A MILLION FOX THE BABY.

HALF A MILLION FOR THE BABY.
BY ALICE KINGsBURY COOLEY.
young wife sat ga zing wistfully into
That afternoon q friend had visited her
whom she had known in her school days.
They were married, too, on the same night;
ono for love, the other for-well-mOney.
She had been dressy, chatty and gay, fairly
deluging Ellen with an account Of all the
beautiful things she had, and the parties
and operas she had attended.
"But then you have this dear little
Cupid" she had said, land he makes
amends for the lack Of many things, does
henots"
"Ohl yes; but you see, my darling hus-
band they had been married only little
over year, has to work SO hard, and for
such pittance too, he does not have time
to ran take HE dinner at home, and many
. day do not see him from early morning
till late at night"
"Ohl poor deari and see how hard your
hands are getting; it is too bad' no servant,
no nurse, no pretty dresses; well, you did
not make q very good bargain, after all"
"But love my husband" she had an
swered sweetly; and her friend replied:
mo doubt you do; but then you are 90
tied down by little Cupid here. that you
can 60 nowhere and have TO enjoyment out
side Of your little home; which, by the way,
is cosy enough if it isn't elegant But, after
all, think I would rather have my half
million than your baby"
So che had left her thinking, thinking; and
as her husband did not come home at the
usual hour, she had time enough to make
+ herself very miserable; you know we can
think ourselves into q great deal Of imagin-
airy unhappiness. That is one of the ways
that "Satan finds some mischief still" etc.
BY and by the baby woke, and for once
with jerk that made him cry still louder.
"Cr0ss baby" she said petulantly, and
sat down without trying to amuse or feed
him. SO he cried himself to sleep again, and
she sat thinking, till she felt herself q much
abused, miserable woman.
Rap rap! came at the door, and before
she could open it, in walked an elegant lady.
.'Pve come for the baby" she said.
"What babyf" asked Ellen.
"Why, that" pointing to the baby in her
lap: ibid you not wish, just now, for half
million instead of hims"
"Ohl no, /"
You did. You shall have the money to-
morrow, and Ill take the baby"
II can not indeed I"
"Oh yes, you can; your fine clothes and
parties will soon satisfy you. He will be
we'll taken care OF, and the baby held out
his arms.
"I-I-" but there was something
strange about the lady's eyes that seemed
to compel her, SO she laid the baby in her
arms.
Nov get me his Clothes"
She did so.
"Oh, let me keep shoe and stocking,
and one of his dear little Shirts" she asked,
pitifully.
mot one ~ the lady replied.
just his little stocking, them" she
pleaded. 1--WE kissed his little feet go often.
Only his little stockingw
So the lady flung q shoe, stocking and
shirt into her lap, and was1gOne.
She RAJ to the window to call her back,
for she did not even know her name, or
where she could go to see her baby. But
too late! She sat down again, very, very
miserable, till her thoughts turned to the
promised half million.
Now her dear husband would not have
to work SO hard. She could have him, too,
every evening. Then, what little coy din
ners they would have. Hall was fond of
something nice, but he didn't get it often,
poor fellow. His old mother, dear soul,
shall come and live with us. i can get
along with her, if she is my mOther-inlaw"
So she unused. Then her friends highly
eolored pictures of balls, operas and parties
came into her mind, and she thought she
would enjoy them too.
A quick step aroused her. "Oh, what
will Harry saSp And she turned pale as
she jumped up to give her kiss of welcome
The shoe, stocking and shirt fell to the
Aoor.
..Ah! just put old Club to bed'"
al"
'.Well, wiley; kept you waiting, haven't
IL couldn't help it. They are so busy at the
store I'm hungry, l can tell you. Haven't
had time to eat since breakfast"
So Ellen took the frying pan from the
fender and put it back on the fire for o few
moments, and the saucepan with the pota-
toes, SO they were soon smoking hot on his
plate, and he ate with q will, but she
scarcely tasted anything except half q cup
OF tea.
Whats the matter, Nella Been hungry
90 long that you've lost your appetites Don't
wait go long, pet, another time"
You know, Harry, that-I-don't like to
cot without you; the food doesn't taste near
so good"
How quiet Club sleeps. He doesn't even
move; and he's terrible at that; takes after
you, pet, ehr' And he laughingly pinched
her chin. But she could not smile.
"Why, what's the matter with you to-
night; not ill, are you, Nell y
"Oh, its nothing; i"
just little blue, Ell Because / did |
not come home soOneri You'll get over it |
IN minute or two" |
And he walked to the cradle and put |
back the little lace curtains that she had |
knit. |
mot herei Oh, you've put him in our !
bed. Old rascal, I'll catch your little toes" |
And he moved his hand gently up the bed,
but the cold sheet was all he touched. A |
thrill ran through him. ELLEN. where's
he baby y
"Oh Harry, you know we are go poor,
md you have to work SO to keep US all,
hat II"
"My God you have not killed hima"
"Oh! no, no; but-but-"
What have you done with hint"
"Well, Belle was here and told me what
,eautiful things she hsd--and-"
"But what has that to do with the babyT
az have sold himw
Harry burst out laughing, "Now 2! know
on are playing. Really, you frightened
,e at fret" But she told him the whole
torv and showed him the empty drawer.
hen he asked the lady's name. and where
~kAvv i