The Portland daily press., 1875-03-06

smaller bow to the front. Burns 1eit tntop
of pain stir his heart as he looken at them.
STOPPING down, he put his arms about ragged
little Jack, and raising him to level with
his face. looked steadily at the child. Clear
and blue the baby eyes stared wonderingly at
him. while the small hands hid themselves in
the warm folds of his cloak. Tom danced
with Impotence, and felt his heart beat high
with hopes of some unknown good to come
from this strange proceeding.
Suddenly the little face became quite salts
fed, and nesting close to the strong arms of
his new found friend, little Jack peered down
at his brother.
Goodbye, Tommy! This is the good man
that mamma told us took little children to
heaven, and l am going with him. Don't
YOU member? The man with the red dress
and bright thing on his head" .
''By Jovep said Harry, nearly dropping
the child in his amazement. "What under
the sun does the young one mean What-
ever made you say that, young man
Tommy gave vigorous pull to one OF the
feet hanging down, and told Jack that he
was a baby and no mistake, accompanying
bis remark with nervous little chuckle.
Harry Burns crossed over to the quieter side
of the street, to avoid the curious looks that
were beginning to be cast at MIN, ana setting
the child on his feet, said:
"T,et us see who will be at that cake-shop
first" And. suiting the action to the word,
he started on brisk run. Grasping Jacks
hand in his, Tommy followed, and halfdrag-
ging him, arrived a minute later at the door
of the shop. Into the bakery walked Burns,
followed by the boys, with their eyes quite
round and bright, and staring hard at the
piles of sweet things. A large parcel of
goodies was again selected, and down the
street they started again. This time hat
store was the stopping place; and lifting each
youngster on high stool, Burns commenced
trying on hats. A little Scotch cap put Jack
into state of ecstasy, and a round sealskin
made Tommy feel almost man.
Off again, and in half an hour new shoes,
tppets and gloves had made their old clothes
assume twice the ragged aspect they had be-
fore worm Little did they care for the torn
coats and kDee-worn trowsers. HCggng the
bundle contentedly, Tommy dragged his
brother along after Harry, both of them in a
state of open-mouthed wonder. At last they
drew up at the door of the circus, and after
getting the address of their mother, he
bought two tickets, and saw them march
proudly into the show. Many laughing eyes
were cast at the tiny couple as they sat high
on board bench, munching enormous guam
titles of cake, and uttering long-dIawn
breaths of satisfaction.
Harry laughed softly to himself as he once
more started on his way up town, and
thought of the basket of good things that
should find their way to the good woman in
the morning. Before toy-shop he stood still
a minute, and waited for chance to cross
the crowded street.
Suddenly a sob caught his attention; and
tnrning quickly he saw little girl standing
10y his side on the curb.stone, and struggling
hard to restrain the tears of fright as she
peered anxieusly among the many vehicles
that lined the roadway. Only four or five
years old, her tiny face yet bore marks of ex-
traordinary beauty and selt-composure. The
little teeth were set close in the effort to re-
strain cry, and one hand brushed the swift
falling snow-fakes away from her eyes. A
fur cloak hung loosely around the small fig
ure, and quilted hood of blue silk framed
the scared face. His voice made her start and
look up quickly, as he said:
"Want to go across, little one? Are you
all alone here?"
The voice was full of tears that answered
him. .-..
sob, think am afraid! Mamma got out
of the carriage and went into that store; and
after she was gone a minute, 1 remembered
a dolly wanted, and got out to ask mamma
to get it. went over there to look 10 the cir
Gus, and when / came back l can't find man.
ma or the carriage, and don't know what to
do"
Before she had finished, there was pitiful
quaver in her voice and a determined wink
ing:of the eyelids. The words and accent
proved to him what he had before thought
to be the case, that it was well-cultured and
cared-for child to whom he was speaking.
SIT seems TO me that am to play benefac-
tor to all the younger portion of the city,"
he said, answering the wonder in her eyes
with bright smile, and a close pressure of
the tiny hand he held fast in his own. They
wandered around the streets a long while,
peering into the shops, and following car
riages which the child seemed to recognize,
At last Mabel, who had given him so much
of her name, with more to follow, consented
10 60 home with him, and wait for the morn
ing to find her mother.
Her decision was fastened by his propos-
ing that she should play fairy-godmother,
and distribute good things innumerable to
his household. MabePs eyes danced at the
prospect; and he soon found himself at his
own door, with the child in his arms. By
this time the snow had fallen so fast that her
feet sank deep at every step; and after many
indignant refusals he had snatched her up
and laughingly borne the slaps her wee
hands inflicted.
''What little vixen, to be sure" he ex-
claimed, as he gave the bell rousing pull
and attempted 10 steal kiss from the rosy
mouth. Renewed kicking and baby laugh
ter; and the stately butler opened the door
to stare solemnly at the astonishing spec
tacle.
civilian, send Mrs. Jones to the library,
and in half an hour let all the servants come
to that ROOM"
Shaking his head In mute disapproval Of
the proceedings of the night, William watched
the merry couple scrambling up the stairs,
and turned to give the orders. The hasty
exit of Mrs. Jones, added to Boots" mods
and winks, had reused the curiosity of all the
household; and when she returned, and it
occupied them all to assist in transferring the
bundles from the carriage upstairs, rumor
went mad and all kinds of suggestions we're
offered and more or less believed. Mrs.
Jones looked triumphant, and replied to all
questions with shake of the head, and sup
pressed laughter.
Boots" promenaded up and down the
hall with his feet in the air, and his hands
performing their Office, making hideous faces
at himself, and INDUCING in ear-splltting
shrieks of delight. The entire company were
gathered on the lower stairway, and listened
breathlessly to Mr.. Burns order. Mrs. Jones
went quickly upstairs, and was only seen
once again, when she thIust her head over
the balustrade and called tor the piano cover
to be brought to her. In a fine state of
amaze, rush was made tor the parlor and
scramble for the cover ensued. "Boots" got
between The legs and pulled it off at the back,
and before any one could catch him, had
crawled from among them, and was half way
up to her. Not bit of use was the strategy.
however, for she cooly took the cover and
motioned him down before she opened the
door. Merry laughter and the sound of NOV
ing furniture came at intervals from the
mysterious room, and quite made them sick
with the efforts of imagination in which they
were compelled to indulge.
At last the welcome summons was heard,
and even William forgot his dignity in the
hurried rush up stairs. Round eyed and
silent they filed in, and at Mr.. Burns request
took the seats that were ranged in order at
one side of the room, Before a door,
throne had been erected. and on it was
perched tiny queen, with golden eurls and
blue eyes trimming over with mirth, The
library steps had served for throne, and the
p:ano-cover was flung gracefully over it tc
answer the place of drapery. The silver
handled poker had been turned into wand
by wrapping it in colored paper, and it took
all the strength of her majesty to wave it
properly in the air. The blue merino dress
81 Lob al