Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-04-20
BELLA AND BABY.

"WiD you lift your head, Isabel, and
listen TO me? We must see what is TO
be done for you as quickly as possible. !"
The speaker, Caleb Arno, was grave,
csre-worn-looking man of fifty.five. He
had come to New York with his three
sisters to attend the funeral of younger
brother, and Ito inquire into the state
of his affairs" Their rage and astonish-
ment when they learned that, of the
property they had counted on sharing
with his widow, not so much remained as
would furnish a shelter for herself and
child, can hardly be described. Out
ragged as they felt with "Charles," all
united in laying the principal blame of
his ruin on her. Her extravaganza in
dress, her love of society and pleasure
all this was brought up against her, and
her youth and inexperience (for she was
scarcely nineteen) seemed no excuse in
their eyes. Even Caleb, who had his
feelings more under control, could not
help an added shade of severity in his
voice as he addressed her.
Bella raised her head quickly. Poor
thing! She looked too young and tender
to meet such trials And yet the resolu-
tion with which she choked back her
tears showed that the little creature had
considerable spirit after all.
1t is best you should understand the
state of affairs, Bella" Caleb went on.
"Charles has left absolutely nothing be.
hind him-not even the house belongs to
you. Now what are you going to do?
AS you have lost your aunt"
And q nice one she was to bring up
grill" broke in Mrs. Cotton. II don't
believe Bella can so much as hem q
pocket handkerchief And me with my
seven daughters Shaving our lives out on
that miserable farml And the little
money expected in return for all 1 had
done for CHI"
Caleb, and his calmly authoritative voice
acted as sort of stop.cock on Mrs. Cot
tons effervescing wrath, for with one in
dignant gulp of protest she was silent.
"Such talk does no good, +" he went on.
Bella understands our circumstances,
and tLat Sister Wright is the only one
who hasn't family on her hands"
mo familyr' put in Sister Wright"
an acid-looking little woman. "And
we'll for me haven't--it's all Job an !
can do to live now. Many's the time
I've gone to church in calico dress
when those no better'n me were rolling
about in their carriages, dressed up in
silk and feathers. No thought of Sister
Wright thenl But when trouble comes
and there's no one else to turn TO-"
81 don't want to be burden; you
don't understand me if you think So"
nallo -, nl I L..
extravagant and foolish, though l didn't
realize 1t before. But I'm willing to do
anything if can only earn living for
my poor baby" Tears welled up into
her eyes at the thought of her child, but
she brushed them hastily away.
You needn't worry about the baby"
said voice that had been silent till now.
All eyes turned toward Mrs. Buell.
She had had time for reflection during
the last few minutes, and had concluded
that matters might have been much worse
for her. Her husband was wealthy, able
to supply her and her three daughters
with every luxury. Absorbed in these
reflections, she scarcely noticed the con-
versation going on around her, till the
baby's name fell upon her ear. This re-
called to her mind a talk with her hus-
band, and she unfolded her "plan" with
the air of one comforting an unexpected
favor.
=" You needn't worry about Archie,
Bella; l have a beautiful plan for him. l
think the best way l can help you will
be to take the boy off your hands. Rob-
ert will be willing, know. OF course it
will be quite care, but we shan't mind
that if we can only be of service to you.
He shall have every advantage; we won't
make bit of difference between him and
our own children. OF course you could
come to see him now and then"-for
Bella looked petriied. 81 would ask
you to stay with US, but you and Robert
never did get on well together, you
know. And then it would be better for
the child"
-" Give up my babyw cried Bella,
springing from her chair. "Do you
think have heart of stoneP Oh, it's
too muchr' A gush of passionate tears
chOked her voice. "Imay come to see
him now and thenp Oh, how kind you
are, Mrs. Buell. how we'll you understand
a mothers yearning over her child"
Bella" said Caleb, gravely.
She turned and caught his hand, as if
hopeful'of sympathy.
20 Caleb, wasn't it wicked to ask
me to give up my child? I've been a
vain, foolish girl, but l always did
love my baby sol That she should think
of such thing, it hurts me, Caleb"
She wept passinnately, her head upon
his shoulder. Caleb waited till she was
quiet; then he said, in his grave, moder-
ate tones:
Bella, be reasonable. If you really
love your child, you will put his happi-
ness before your own"
!" You want me to do it!" cried Bella.
She would have pulled her hands away,
but he held them firmly in his.
I" BE quiet, and let us talk it over
sensibly"
"Iwas going to say, when Bella in
terrupted me-" said Mrs. Buell., "that
Robert and i would offer her yearly
sum-
THANK you; wouldn't sell my own
flesh and blood for all the money in the
world"
"Let us. bring this to an end, Bella"
said Caleb, decidedly. {" Harriet has
mauo you most reasonable O1er, and II
you persist in declining it we must con.
clude that you wish us to interfere no
further in your affairs. We will give
you half an hour to consider" dropping
her hands.
+" And i don't want five minutes, said
Bella, firmly. She stood quite erect now,
with scarlet cheeks and defiant light in
her large blue eyes. 90 won't give up
Archie, and you can do as you please. ,
F." Think a moment before you turn
your back on the only ones who can
help you" said Caleb's warning voice,
arresting her.
God can help me-" said Bella, pa
thetic tremble in her voice. q He gave
baby to me, not to anybody else, and He
will help me take care of him, I'm sure
She passed from the room without an
other word.
No, ma'am, we cannot give you a
cent more. The watch isn't worth it,"
There was a touch Of insolence in the
jewelers. tone that called up faint