Middletown transcript., 1874-01-03

had to do was to take care of himself.
But he could not help touching with very
tender fingers. the delicate leaves Of ths
flowers aud thinking that his elegant
house had never seen anything half SO
beautiful. atr.a.
..Now who sent them Ha ha! ha |!
You don't expect that l have made con
quest?"
And he made the room ring with his
hearty voice. %
"Adam, are you getting handsome ?
Must be, or no lady (and surely it must
have been lady who sent. these) would
ever think Of sending you basket of
flowers. Halo what is this ?"
The tidy servant opened once more the
door Of he drawing-room, and this time
she had great bundle in her strong arms
"a bundle of patched and faded calico
a pair of ragged shoes where the blue
pinched toes peeped plainly through. and
a pale child face. with a great tangled
curl of its golden hair falling back from
tho little colored handkerchief which
served for hood.
"Mr. Hartford If you please, sir, 1
found this child just now at the door. l
heard voice, like some one trying to
reach the bell, and when I opened the
door this poor thing fell right across the
step. I'm afraid she's dead"
The broad smile on Adams face faded,
and setting aside the basket of growing
flowers, he came forward and looked into
the child's face.
dead! No, I think rot, Katy
Lay her here on the sofa, and bring me
little wine and some warm faunels. She
has tainted.
And for the first time in his life he
opened his heart. Better let me say the
flowers opened it little way, and this
poor, helpless child came before he had
time to close it. At any rate he sat quiet
ly down and took the frigid hand in his
own, and rubbed it -smartly, and when
the wine came he took the spoon and
forced little of the liquid between her
closed teeth. In ten minutes she was
wide awake, her blue eyes taking in the
warm 6re, the rich, bright hued furnish
ing Of the room, and even that mysterious
basket Of flowers on the table. She look cd
at Adam Hartford next, and then at
Katy.
"Where is my neither ?"
"Your mother, how do we know? We
found you on our door step," said the old
man.
"Oh, yes" she looked very thoughtfull
ly for moment. My mamma is very
! sick, in cold room, and was afraid she'd
die. She fell asleep, and I happened to
think of the man who owned our block.
heard the folks down stairs say that he was
awful rich; and do you know I thought
I'd find him. and tell him that mamma
was dying because we didn't have any
thing to eat. l found out ths street where
he lived, and think this Is It, l was
trying to reach thu name on the door,
and"
"What is his name?'
"Adam Hartford" 81.
"What do you want Of Adam Hart.
ford p
II told you my mamma was sick, you
know"
eyes, but he won't care"
| The great tears flashed into her blu,
eyes.
"Oh. don't you think he willf Wha
will do without mammal"
4 "Where is your father p
dead"
;, The old, old story, that began with thl
fall. and-ah. when? Not yet \; not unit
pride and scl6shncss go out togethe
smsthered by the fire and charity Of love
"What would you do if Adam Hartfor,
should wrap you up in a warm shawl, an,
send you home with food, wood, lights
medicine and money to your sick mother?'
BLESS him And mamma and woult
pray for him all the days of our lives !"
Adam touched the bell, and when Kat,
answered it, said ;: :.
Bring me shawl, if you can find one
} and then pack basket with provisions
} Tell Thomas to run around the corner 70
, coach--it is toe stormy to take our hor
ses out-and then put up a basket Of kind
: ling wood. I want you to 60 home wit
, this child and make her comfortable.
you are afraid to 60 alone, take Thoma
along. Don't look at me 80 child; I a.
g Adam Hartford" ,tass
Would you believe me. the blessing OF
0 her lips was drowned in food of tears
. and all she could do was to Law her wa