South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-06-30

"Mother," said Mrs. Morton. after the
ladies had gone out. "what shall we do
with it? Do you think that il is our
duty to keep this baby?"
"My daughter" she replied. ..haye
you no misgivings about sending it n
way9 1t is one OF Christ's little ones,
Feed my lambs. she continued as she
left the room TO ask God what she should
do with it.
After Mrs. Allison left the room Mrs.
Morton was left to her own thoughts.
TO take n baby was serious matter
She had often been asked TO adoot n
child. but she had always said that she
never would do it-but this had been
sent in such a strange manner. She be.
| gan TO weigh the fors and againsts about
Keeping 1T The against scale seemed
to go down great deal further than the
other. John would not like the addi.
tional expense of hiring a nurse ; il ba.
| by stayed, she would have to take care
of it herself This would debar her of
so many pleasures she had enjoyed Blu,
is it right to live only for oursclvcs?-
Did not the Master command us to work
in His vineyard? and if she sent baby
away, would lie not say to her, "Inas-
much rs We did it not To one of the least
of these. We did it not to me-
! Mr.. Morton came home earlier than
usual that night. lie found baby still
there. He did not seem much surpris.
ed; he, too. had been pom lering all day
whether it was right to send baby away.
AT a! events they would rot send i.
away that night, and when morning
came the decision had been made. BABY
was TO stay. They named her Faith,
because they trusted tho father that He
had sent her for good and not for evil
For days the neighbors in the block
could hear the ceaseless music of Mrs.
( Morton's sewing machine. and if they
had looked they would have seen nu.
! merous garments OF soft muslin and
warm flannel under process of compile.
ton into sundry little garments Some
of the ladies said Mrs. Morton did not
know what piece of nonsense she had
undertaken others that she was so fool.
ish to confine herself ut home so much
taking care of somebody else's baby
whom nobody knew anything about.
baby did bring great deal of care
with it, more than Mr.. or Mrs. Morton
/ had any idea OF. but they never said or
felt that they regretted the steps they
had taken. There were so many stitch.
es to take for baby that Mira. Morton
had to take great many less for herself.
and garments that used 20 be trimmed
and embcllishei, had TO go almost plain :;
but what matter. There are no ruifies
and pntis on the white robes up there.
! Christ's were without even seam
There were many wakeful nights and
wearisome days, but God sent so much
additional strength, that others callel a
! burden was IL Blessing to them. 1t led
them heavenward for it made them less
selfish, less worldly. and they had the
happiness in their hearts which comes
Of working for their Master.
When the little voice first uttered
papa" Mr.. Morton thought that baby
J was very forward, and Mrs. Allison
smiled over the little red and white
stocking she was knitting, when he ask
Ell If babies as a general thing were so
cunning and pretty.
Years went on. Faith Morton baby.
! hood and childhood passed away. Those
! that knew of the circumstances of her
/ early babyhood had forgotten it, and
/ those who had never heard of it. sup.
! posed that she was Mr.. Morton's own
child. She had been the child of PRAYER
and religious training, and when girl.
| hood came she was n devoted christian.
4 Beautiful in person and heart. she was
beloved by all the wide circle Of friends
who gathered around her an! not only
by them, but 10y the many she sought
out from the poor, and befriended The
wedding day came, and Faith clad i'm
her bridal robes, was more beautiful and
! loving in her fathers and mother eyes
than ever before. After the bridal par.
" had passed into the church, n woman.
clad in rusty black. followed on and
stood in the aisle. Those who saw her
weep. wondered why she wcpt What
had she to do with the bridal party?-
When the guests had left Mr.. Morton
house and the bride and groom had gone
TO their own home, the door.bell rang.
and this woman was ushcred into the
presence Of the lonely father & mother ::
"Now that she is gone, can tell YOU
all she said. That was my child. I
left il Oh your doorstep that cold morn.
ing long ago / was widow with six
children. worked hard from moruiny
mil night. and far into the night often.
times. 10 get them food AMI clothes
Sickness was coming upon me. and that
day we were to he carried To the poor.
house. That baby was his pct. She
seemed someway better than the rest.
What should do with it? Something
whispered TO carry it TO you. Nobody
but God knows what it cost me to give
II MP. got up before daybrcak. and
while the children we're asleep, and wrap.
ping my darling up in thc only warm
garment ! had left, took 10 and laid il
on your stoop. ! watched until I saw
u taken in. and then felt you would
keep IL. God only knows what YOU kept
that child from but you will have your
reward when you 90 home to your Ia.
theirs house. have often been here TO
look upon my child, but shall nevor