The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-05-24

WAS sleeping quietly Oh nOtHcl DseA
by's old calico lounge, unconscious
alike of the past OF future periis.
s'Her folks is we'll off, whoever they
be-" said Mother Darby, examining
the little blue silk hood trimmed with
swans down and the embroidered
Thibet cloak.
1.-The woman that gave her to me
was 4 sumner" said Bob, by which
phrase he no doubt intended to eN-
press his appreciation OF her tine
clothes.
Bob lost no time in advertising the
child, but days went on and no answer
appeared. nor did the woman return
to claim her charge. The travelling
bag contained nothing that would at
ford the slightest clue TO the child 5
identity except the single name
Elsie on some of the clothing.
.sWell I'm sorry, but there's moth
ing for it but the poor house, said
Mother Darby.
s.That I'll never do said Bob.
:. Hevdey I reckon there's nobody
to be consulted besides you. Taint
likely | shall undertake to raise her
at nv time of life, and nothing but
my two hands to depend upon, mel
|
Their
but couldn't you let her stay here
if I'd pay her board!'' pleaded Bob.
sYou? said Mother DARBY, laughing
derisively. s'Much as ever you arm
J the salt you eat.
well, if you wont keep her, sup
pose Unjust find place for her some
where else. for she shall never go to
the poor house while i can work for
her
ssMercv sakes, II you are so set
about it. let her stay ard try 1t, SAID
Mother Darby whose heart secretly
| vearned over the child more than she
cared to acknowledge. And so 1t was
settled, though the good widow could
not believe the arrangement would
J be more than temporary.
II dare say as soon Us we begin TO
t get fond of the child we shall have to
7 send her off " said she.
But in this case she was mistaken.
| 1t was true that hitherto Bob had
not been overload of work, and had
, given her some ground for the taunt
/ that he hardly earned the salt he ate.
a But now a great change came over
!. him. He felt that he had an object III
g life; was ready to undertake an honest
Z; job, to work early and late, SO that he
G might keep Elsie with him.
{ Anb when the story got abroad and
t it was seen how thoroughly IN earnest
I he was, much sympathy was manltes
e ted for Bob and .sBob's baby as the
: child came to be called: and many
kind hearted people were ready to alo
s him in his endeavors. So succeeded. as
/ he deserved to do, and nothing more
was ever said about sending Elsie te
e the poorhouse.
% She. meanwhile. continued to grow
and thrive. In fact, she quite outgreN
s. her original wardrobe, which wa
N carefully folded away in Mrs. Darby
" best drawer, and new ana coarse
e clothing had to be provided for he
l. use.
II Nearly year had passed away ant
le people were ceasing to speculate upol
: the mysterious advent of Bob's baby
a. when the affair was revived again b.
the appearance of All advertisement II
ID New York paper headed ''Chil'
Lost" Then followed a description 0
IT the child, Of its clothing, with state
ment OF dates and circumstance
re which seemed to identify Elsie as tn
n, lost one beyond doubt.
t, The address given was Amos Marx
er ham. box. 1929, New York city.
Ell Poor Bob This was a terrible bloN
to him: but he felt that he ought t
Of do all that he could to restore Elsie t
he her parents, SO bel mmediately wrot
SIX a letter in answer to the advertise
ed ment, and having dropped it IN tn
re office returned home with a heay
as heart.
ne s.Mebbe she don't belong to then
after ALL said Bob to himself. IAN
re they've got to prove it before the
he take her away.
er This was the hope to which he clune
IS but it speedily vanished, for only tire
en- days later lady and gentleman stoI
lie ped at Mother Darby's door. 30
he fastened to open it, and sing
lis glance at the lady's face told hi
y. that she was Elsie's mother.
h lis this the place began tn
he gentleman. but with faint shriel
ng the lady darted through the open doc
and caught little Elsie in her arms.
I 20, my darlingi' sobbed she; fo
rs neither time nor change, nor absenc'
Id could deceive the mother heart
he IF further proof was needed 1t ";
found in Elsie's clothing. which,
Ter we have already said, Mother Dart
had carefully preserved. and in cor
an plete harmony Of the evidence on bot
ng sides.
LII The story Mr Markham told w
III this: His wife being an invalid. |
had, bv order OF his physicion, take
gu her to Italy to pass the winter, lea
lof ing Elsie in charge of nurse in who
10. they had confidence. They kept up
constant communication with the W
AL man until their return. when to the
at dismay. they found both nurse al
on child were missing from the house
. which she had lived when they h;
'rs left the country. They could obta
IL no trace Of her. and only recently thu
had received message from the "
u man, through the third person. III
ian she had left the child at some static