Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-04-20

|
the street was put off, but only for a
time.
my wedding ring-that will have to
go next" thought the poor child. And
Meni"
A look of despairing anguish came
into her eyes. and she clasped tho little
hand she held more firmly.
" 1t would kill meW she murmured in
a husky voice.
"Do lone, mamma, do lone" cried
Archie. She released his hand, and he
trotted on before her. Though scarcely
eighteen months old, he 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
boyl No wonder Robert Buell. coveted
him, and would have been proud to call
him his son.
"Bulli Bullr' cried the little fellow,
pausing before shop window, wherein
were displayed ohildren's toys and few
jars of candy.
" No, dear, not to day"
"Bulll BullW repeated Archie, impe-
riously, and his mother yielded, as usual.
Mr.. Bull, little round-faced English
man, came in smiling from an adjoining
kitchen. He was glad to see the pretty
lady, who had come into his store like q
benefcent fairy some months ago. Archie,
too-his nurse had taken him there once,
and from that time the child would never
let her 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. Arno," sym
pathetic gentleness softening his voice
as he noticed her care. worn look. You
are quite stranger. And how's curly
headSn laughing down at the child
Give him chocolate mouse, Mr..
Bull" said Bella, laying penny on the
counter. "And how's Aunt Nancy to-
day."
"Ob, much the same as usual. Wouldn't
you like to go in and see her, ma'amY-
it would do her good"
And me, too," thought Bella, who
felt comforted somehow since she entered
the little store. Yes, indeed, she said,
aloud, as she followed the old man.
Archie trotted after, nibbling at the
mouse.
In the 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 bright
ened at the sight of Bella, for the latter's
good nature and sociable ways had made
heras great a favorite with the old couple
as her little boy.
"Dear Mrs. Arno, how glad am to
see you! And the darling baby, toor
pressing a warm kiss on the uplifted
mouth, with its impromptu mustache of
chocolate and cream. Erasing her salute
in the manner peculiar to childhood, he
followed his particular friend, Uncle
Joe," into the store.
"Are you well, Mrs. Arno? You don't
look so," said the old woman, after they
had talked few moments.
The tender sympathy in her voice fairly
overcame poor Bella. She struggled a
moment; then, hiding her face on the bed,
she broke into n 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.
It's too bad of me to trouble you, "
she said; " but you spoke so kindly. No
body has spoken to me so since"
" Poor childn replied the old woman;
"tell me your troubles. It'll ease your
heart, perhaps"
Thus encouraged, Bella took heart
and went through her story. not without
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 art-broken. And
so you thought the Lord had forsaken
you? All, you'll know Him better when
you've lived as long as me, poor childv
Yes, aunty, was wrong; but l felt
so discouraged. l thought had so many
friends; but when the time of trouble
came"
Bella's voice faltered The old woman
lay silent, stroking the hand she held in
hers.
And you want us to advise your" she
said at last.
Yes, thought you might hear of
something l could do. don't sew nicely.
I'm very sorry about that. But if there's
anything else"
Poor dear lady! To think of your
having to work for living Why, yon
look as if breath would blow you over
now"
"Oh, I'm stronger than you think. ]
can work, " said Bella, earnestly.
The old woman reflected.
1--WE a plan in my mind" she said,
looking up. II wish l could think of
something better for you; but
Would you mind asking my husband to
step here moment, Mrs. Arno, please9 ?"
What the "plan" was will be shown
hereafter.
Yes, sir, l call it the firm of Bella
& Baby, and I'd like to put it on the
sign. There's a blessin' follered us ever
since they come into the house."
Mr.. Bull, or "Uncle JOe," as he is
generally called, leans forward in his
chair, his eyes fixed affectionately on
Bella. 1t is three years since we saw
her last, but she looks little changed, ex-
cept that the bloom has returned to her
cheek.
The blessing came because you and
Aunt Nancy were so good to us, Uncle
Joe" she says, looking up from her work
Something glistens in her blue eyes,
and the young man watching her from
an opposite corner feels more in love
than ever. He is Frank Darrow, an old
friend of Bella's who has visited here so
often he seems like one of the family.
"And so you were in Europe at the
time of Bella's troubleY" said the old
man, musingly. He is never weary of
talking about Archie and his mother, and
one of his hearers at least finds the repe-
tition of the theme an unending delight
But Bella seems rather uneasy.
Did you ever think she'd turn out
such little business woman, Mr.. Dar-
rOW2 WhU the store iaa nroanarad 90 IL