Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-11-28

coming to my mother, and left tn
ladies alone. When 1 returned, afte
some five minutes absence, / wa
truck by the change in their faces
The younger one was pale as ashes, an,
the elder one had a set, hard look of de
termination, as If nerved by some sud
den resolution.
L led the way to nv mothers bed
room, where Freddie was i'm profoun,
slumber. The younger lady shranl
back in the shadow of the bed curtains
but the mother advanced and bent owe
the child.
Ihere was moment of profoun,
silence; then in hard voice, the oil,
lady said: II am very sorry to have pu
you to so much trouble, DR.. Morrill,
This is not the child we LOST
\ heavy fall startled us, and | turned
to see the young stranger senseless or
the fioor. Her mother spoke quickly
1.-The disappointment is too much 70,
her. We so hoped to find my grand.
son.
did not reply. The delirious raw
lngs of the child were still ringing in
my ears as he pleaded with the harsh
grandmother and aunt. | did not be-
iieve the old lady's statement. but, hav-
ing no proof TO the contrary, WAS forced
TO accept it.
Long after my visitors had departed
the beautiful blonde still trembling and
white, mother and | talked of their
strange conduct.
''It is evident they wish to denv the
child" ! said.
Il am glad of it, mother replied.
I'VE will keep him John. He shall
have grandma TO love. not one to
fear"
So the summer and early autumn
wore away, and Freddie was dear to us
as If he had claim of kinship. His rare
beauty, his precocious intellect and his
loving heart had completed the fascina-
ton commenced by our pity for his
suffering, weakness and loneliness. He
called us ''Grandma' and "Uncle
john" and clung to US with the most
affectionate caresses.
We tried in vain, from his childish
prattle, TO gain some clue to his parent
age or relatives. He told us his papa
had gone ''far, far off," and mamma
had 'gone TO papa" SO We concluded
he was an orphan. and / often heard
mother telling him of the beautiful
heaven where his parents waited for
their little boy.
OF his grandmother and Aunt Lucy
he spoke with shrinking fear, and
seemed TO have an equal dread of Susan.
whom we Judged to be the nurse
Susan was talking to a tall man, he
told us, who boxed his ears and told
him to go home, when, trying to escape
he ran under the horses hoofs and was
hurt.
Being blessed with ample means, |
mother and | had quite decided to for
mally adopt pretty Freddie when he |
had been little longer unclaimed in
our house. The convalescence of the |
child requiring fresh air without too
much exercise, made habit of taking |
him with me in my daily drive to visit
my patients.
Dennis, my coachman, was very fond |
Of Freddie, and very careful; SO l was
not afraid to leave my little charge with
him while l was indoors, and he was
very happy chatting with the good
latured Irishman, and waiting my
coming.
Ii was early in November. and
mother had dressed Freddie for the
irst time in a jaunty suit of velvet,
with dainty velvet cap over his brown
urls. when one morning / sent him
tut with Dennis until | was ready to
tart. Looking out. saw him stand
ng on the pavement, giving Nat, my
lorse, long carrot he had procured in
he kitchen, while Dennis stood near,
guarding the curly head from any mis-
hief.
was making my final preparation
or departure, when / heard a piercing
cream under my window, and Dennis
aying, "By jabers, she's tainted, the
While Freddie cried, "Mamma-
'retty mammal
/ ran out hastily, TO see an odd tab
eau. Dennis was supporting in his
trong arms slender figure in deep F,
lourning, half leaning on the shafts,
'hile Freddie clung to her skirts, sob ,
ing, "Mamma-mamma." I;
A few passers-by stood near making ,
arious suggestions, and Nat looked
ravely over Dennis's shoulder, as if
e could say great deal if he had the
lclination.
"Bring her in, Dennis said.
sI'll do that same, sur" was the re-
ly. as Dennis lifted the little figure,
Ike feather-weight, and, crossing the
avement, came Tito the surgery. l
nut out the curious people who fol-
WED, and Freddie clung fast TO the
lack dress, never ceasing his loud
ries of '.Oh, mamma, 1t is my mamma
,me home to Freddie. Mamma-pretty
tc
The sound rang through the house,
aching my mothers ears, as she sat
| her room She came hurrying down :
le stairs, and entered the surgery just .
Dennis deposited his burden in an "
IN chair. Comprehending the situa- q
on at glance, mother tenderly re- n
owed the crepe veil and bonnet, loosen Il
e a shower of brown curls round .
arble-white face, still insensible.
.sYou see, sur" said Dennis, ''Master y
reddie had just given the horse the
st of the carrot, and was running up te
I'd down, when the poor crather threw IL
, her veil, gave one screech and would "
I'VE fallen to the ground, if the shafts IL
ID hadn't a-cotched her atween us. Il
0 YOU think, sur, it's his mother! g
AT that moment the stranger opened n