The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1877-06-14

light in her large blue eyes. "I won't
give up Archie, and you can't do as you
please"
Think a moment before you turn
your back on the ones who can help
you" said Caleb's warning voice, arrest
ing her.
God can help me-" said Bella, pa
thetic tremble in her voice. He gave
the baby to me, not to nybOdy else, and
He will help me take care Cf him, I'm
sure"
She passed from the room without
another word.
" No, ma'am, we can't give you cent
more. The watch isn't worth it
There was a touch of insolence in the
jewelers. tone that called up a faint flush
into the pale face regarding him. Bella
for it was she-stood hesitating a mo-
ment.
well, you may have it on your own
terms, then, though Pm sure it's worth
more" she said, with a sigh.
You're in no danger of being taken
advantage of in this store, ma'am," said
Mr.. Marble, sharply, as he counted
eighty dollars into her hand.
Bella went out of the store, her heart
heavy as lead. The day when she and
Archie would be turned homeless into
the street was put off, but only for a
time.
My wedding ring-that will have to
go next, thought the poor child. 9 And
then!'I
a look of despairing anguish came into
her eyes, and she clasped the little hand
she held more firmly.
" 1t would kill me :" she murmured,
in husky voice.
DO lone, mamma, do 'Ione?" cried
Archie. She released his hand, and he
trotted on before her Though scarcely
eighteen months old, ne was so large of
his age he seemed like a child of two
years. His bronze hair curled tightly
over his head, he had his fathers ample
forehead and splendid black eyes A
princely boy! No wonder Robert Buell.
coveted him, and would have been proud
to call him son.
"BuH! Bull" cried the little fellow,
pausing before a shop window, wherein
we're displayed children's toys and few
jars of candy.
"No, dear, not to-day"
Bull! Bull" repeated Archie, i'm
Periously, and his mother yielded, as
usual.
man, came in smiling from an adjoining
kitchen. He was glad to see the pretty
lady, who had come into his store like a
beneficient fairy some months ago
Archie, tOO-his nurse had taken him
there once, and from that time the child
would never lether pass the door without
going in. The old man learned to watch
for him, and his round face would dimple
with pleasure at the sight of the boy.
A pleasant day, Mrs. ATnO," a sym
pathetic gentleness sOftening his voice as
he noticed her care-wCrn looks. You
are quite a stranger. And how's curly
head ?" laughing down at the child.
Give him a chocolate mouse, Mr..
Bull" said Bella, laying a penny on the
counter. And how IS Aunt Nancy to-
day.?
Wouldn't you like to go in and gee her,
ma am it would do her good"
And me, toO," thought Bella, who
felt cOmfOrted somehow since she entered
the little store. 90 Yes, indeed" she
said, aloud, as she followed the old man.
Archie trOtted after, nibbIing at his
mouse.
In a chamber adjoining the kitchen
lay the old woman prOpped up by pill
lows. She would never walk another
step, but her hands were busy knitting
stockings from morning till night, and the
sale of these added considerable to their
household store. Her sweet pale face
was framed in silvery hair; there was an
air of refinement about her that her
husband lacked. Her eyes frightened
at the sight of Bella, for the latter's good
nature and sOCiable ways had made her
as great favOrite with the old couple as
her little boy.
''Dear Mrs. Arno, how glad l am to
see you And the darling baby too 5"
pressing a warm kiss on the uplifted
mouth, with its imprOmptU mUstache of
chocolate and cream. ErasIng her salut te
in the manner peculiar to childhood, he
followed his particular friend, " Uncle
JOe," into the store.
care you well, Mrs. Arno? You don't
look So" said the old lady, after they
had talked a few moments.
The tender sympathy in her voice
fairly OVercame poor Bella. She strug-
gled moment; then hiding her face
on the bed, she broke into a passion OF
tears.
"Poor child, what is it?" asked the
old woman, laying her hand on the bowed
head.
That gentle. motherly touch made
Bella's tears flow the faster. 1t was
some minutes before she could look up.
cts too bad of me to trouble you"
she said, but she spoke so kindly. No
body has spoken to me so since"
Poor child repeated the old wO-
man "tell me your troubles. It'll ease
your heart, perhaps"
Thus encouraged, Bella took heart
and went through her story, not with
out many tears. The old woman cried
with her.
"That they should want to take your
baby from yOu-that darling baby! /
don't wonder you felt heart-broken.
And so you thought the Lord had for
saken you An, you'll know Him better
when you've lived as long as me, poor
child -
& Yes, aunty, was wrong but / felt
so discouraged. / thought I had SO
many friends ; out when the time OF
| trouble came"
Bella's voice faltered. The old woman
lay silent, stroking the hand she held in
| hers.
she said at last.
3" Yes, I thought you might hear ot
something I could do. don't sew nicely
Pm very sorry about that. But if there.
anything else"
" Poor dear lady To think of youI
having to work for living! Why, you
look as if breath would blow you ovel
now"
" Oh, I'm stronger than you think
can work" said Bella earnestly.
The old woman reflected.
GIVE a plan in my mind" =" she said
looking up. wish I could think o
something better for you ; but-would
you mind asking my husband to stel
here a moment, Mrs. ArnO, please ?2
What the "plan was will be show