The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-09-28

iiuess. he caiieu US pTanumd anu 'On-
Gle JOHN" and clung to us with the most |
affectionate caresses.
We tried in vain, from his childish pratt |
tie, to gain some clue to his parentage or re-
latives. 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
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 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 formally adopt
pretty Freddie when he had been little
longer unclaimed in our house, The con-
valesence Of the child requiring fresh air
without too much exercise, I 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 was indoors, and he was very happy
chatting with the good natured Irishman,
and waiting my coming.
1t was cary in November, and mother
had dressed Freddie for the first time in a
jaunty suit of velvet, with dainty velvet
cap over his brown curls, when one morning
l sent him out with Dennis until was ready
to start. Looking out saw him standing
on the pavement, giving Nat, my horse, a
long carrot he had procured in the kitchen,
while Dennis stood near, guarding the curly
head from mischief.
was making my final preparation for de-
parture, when heard piercing scream un-
der my window, and Dennis saying, "By
jabers, she's tainted, the cratherw
While Freddie cried, "Mamma-pretty
mamma |"
ran out hastily to see an odd tableau.
Dennis was supporting in his strong arms a
slender figure in deep mourning, half lean.
ing on the shafts, while Freddie clung to her
skirts, sobbing, "Mamma-mamma"
A few passers-by stood near, making var
ious suggestions, and Nat looked gravely
over Dennis shoulder, as if he could say a
great deal if he had the inclination.
Bring her in, Dennis" said.
"Tll do that same, sur" was the reply, as
Dennis lifted the little figure, like feather
weight, and, crossing the pavement, came
into the surgery. l shut out the curious
people who followed, and Freddie clung fas
to the black dress, never ceasing his loud
cries of "Oh, mamma 1t is my mamma
come home to Freddie. Mamma-pretty
mamma.
The sound rang through the house, reach
ing my mothers ears,as she sat in her room
She came hurrying down the stairs, ant
entered the surgery just as Dennis deposited
his burden in an arm chair. Comprehend
ing the situation at glance, mother tender
ly removed the crepe veil and bonnet, loos
ening a shower of brown curls, found mar
BILE white face, still insensible.
"You see, sur" said Dennis, "Maste
Freddie had just given the horse the last o
the carrot, and was running up and down
when the poor crather threw up her veil
gave one screech, and would have fallen t,
the ground if the shafts and l hadn'
a-cotched her atween US. Do you think
sur, it's his mother.
, At that moment the stranger opened pal
! of large eyes, as brown and soft as Freddie
, own, and murmured, in a faint voice
| "Freddie Did see my boy ?"
Then her eyes sell upon the child, and i
t moment she was on her knees before hir
| clasping him to her heart kissing him, sob
bing over him, till mother broke out crying
: too, and was obliged to assume my "profes
sional expression by sheer force of will.
Come, come" said, gently. "Freddi
t has been very i'll, and cannot bear so niue
| excitement"
, This quieted the mother in an instant, an
3 she rose, still holding the child's hand i
2 her own.
, at is my boy" she said, looking into IN
l face.
"Fredde,"I asked, sis this mamma ?"
"Yes," said the little fellow, decided.
"of course it is. My own pretty mamm
r come from heaven"
She reeled back at the innocent word
and would have fallen had not caught h,
and put her once more in the arm chai
"Come from heaven |" she replied, wit
ashy lips and gaspy breath. "They told n
he was dead, my boy, my Freddie-that
. was run over and killed. The nurse saw hi
y fall under the horses feet"
"But' you see he was not killed, mother
said gentle tone, "but is well and stror
: again"
= And then motioning to me to keep silen
mother told the widow of the child's inj
: ries and recovery, of his winning ways al
y :, our love for him.
= Sand you kept him and nursed him
" she said, kissing mothers hands. 80
what can l ever do for you to prove n
- gratitudef Freddie, my boy, how you mt
= love that kind lady p
= "Yes," assented Freddie, "that's grandr
and this is Uncle john" and was dragg
forward.
81 81 cannot understand it at all" the mot
n said. "Did no one know he was here-r
IA mother-in-law Will you let me tell yor
she added. looking at mother and myst
To how my boy was lost -
,r. you will drink this first" I said,
It. ing her a quieting beverage.
to She obeyed at once, and taking off FIR
dies cap, lifted him to her lap while I
of told her story. When We saw the two
he faces so close together, any lingering do'
nd we might have had of the strangers ella
to. vanished at onse, Even in parent q