The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-12-21

The little whiie-drapsd crib stood A.
WAYS in Miss Grey's room, close BY her
own bed. There Idle Emily lived,
watched and tended By q love that new
or grows weary. But there was always
rivalry between Joanna and her mis-
trcss in the affections Of the child. Miss
Grey could not conceive, Why the little
one should smile on Joanna. Joanna!
was she not ugly? Was she not huge,
and ungainly, and dcformed, and alto
gethcr uncomely TO behold? But little
Emily shouted with delight at sight Of
her. She would watch her across the
room, lying in her crib before she could
sit alone, and her bonny blue eyes
would sparkle with joy II Joanna but
looked At her.
Nicodemus likewise shared the favor
Of the little maid. and seemed to be a
thing Of beauty and JOY forever in her
eyes.
And how the little one grew, 1t
seemed but little while ere the old
house, 80 grim and austere in its former
state. grew musical with laughter and
patter Of little feet, and sunny with a
winsome presence Of white robes and
golden curls and rosy cheeks.
Christmas was kept a Emily's birth
day. On the first of these anniversa-
ries Peter Brook brought up from the
village pretty little baby
carriage He and Joanna, at
daggers' points usually, had united
their funds and bought the thing Al an
auction. Nicodemus was harnessed in,
aud Miss Emily the day being mild
took that day her first airing in il, max
Ing the tour Of the grounds around the
house, with Miss Theodore, Joanna, and
Peter following in procession behind.
Afterward Nicodemus and the carriage
with its pretty occupant, often accom-
panied Joanna on her marketing expe-
ditions to the village, where every one
soon knew .sthe little Grey" 1t was
when returning from one Of these expe-
ditions. in the dusk Of an autumn even
ing, when little Emily was nearly two
years old, that they encountered =
stranger Just outside the village-a sum
burned, wayworn woman, dressed in
faded black, and on foot. She was hur-
rying BY, as il wishing to escape obser-
walton. when glance at the occupant
Of the little carriage seemed TO root her
to the spot
.sGood evening, ma 'am," said Joan
ma, civilly, seeing her stop, and suppos-
ing that She might wish to inquire for
some shelter for the night
Her salutation was returned in a
slightly broken accent, but the stranger
making no further speech, Joanna
hurried on with her char &c,
leaving her standing on the road They
reached home, where Miss Grey, giving
Joanna a reprimand for keeping Emily
out so late, took the child, gave her her
supper Of bread and milk in her own
room, and put her to bed
1t was now quite dark but Nicodemus,
who generally lay around loose at all
times and seasons, came ambling into
the kitchen, saying,
Oars oman at de gate"
AT the gatesr repeated Joanna, who
! guarded gates and doors at night, rs
though the place was . fortress in the
midst Of an enemy's country.
, AT de big gate" answered Nicode-
! mus.
Joanna went to see. The full moon
had Just risen over the tall eastward
hills, and BY its light she saw, standing
by the gate, the same strengthening
: woman whom she had met near the vii
J lage.
J s.what do you wantsr she asked,
sharply.
: II want TO stay in a house all night =
"Then, why don't you 60 to the vii
lage?r
:. They won't take mel have nc
money!
Joanna surveyed the forlorn figure in
perplexed silence.
Cant you give me a corner where
can rest 5- asked the stranger piteous-
". II will not trouble you for any
! thing. except floor to sleep on"
Y MY mistress never lodges stran'
gers" said Joanna, :. but come into thu
kitchen-I'li see what can do.''
4 By the exercise Of some diplomacy IL
behalf Of the tramp as Miss Gre,
4 STYLED the traveller, Joanna succeeded
!, in gaining permission for her to sleeT
a on a pallet in the kitchen.
y "Give her some supper, JOANNA
G added the mistress. ssNo doubt she \
4 half starved"
q And Joanna went back to the kitchen
leaving her knitting peacefully by thu
= small bed where the child slept.
/ After the 'stramp- had had her sup
e per, and Joanna had prepared her be-
e on the floor, she stood up BY the fire
: and, looking Joanna in the face with be
4 large, black ewes, said suddenly:
< Whose child 4 i yop had vii
u your
/ my MISTRESS child"
= " Not her own child?''
,e MOI and Joanna shut her lip
tightly, rs il to prevent the escape .
Ie further information.