Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-10-02
The Adopted Child.

A girl spoke to me. / turned and looked
at her. There are women of sixteen and
children of sixteen. This one was a child
She wore the scautiest of cotton dresses,
belted at the waist, pair of leather boots
and a white apron. In her hand she carried
a sun-bonnet, and her hair cropped close
like boys, curled in black rings about her
head. The face was baby's face in sweet
ness aud innocence, the little brown hands
the hands of toll.
"That is Oldtown church, my dear"
said; care you going there ?"
"Yes, sir, to see the wedding. Are you p
| was more fool /, though did not say
so TO this child. The bride for whom the
bells were ringing was TO be mine once
would have been but for the accident which
had crippled me and changed her heart.
She had done nothing treacherously, but
saw the truth and set her free. She took
her freedom gladly, and we were two She
had quite forgotten me- no doubt. believed
then never could forget her.
nodded to the little thing beside me,
trudging over the meadow path with the
tall grass almost to her waist, and looking
at me so wstfully.
"Inever saw wedding she said.
"No?"
"No, sir. Grandfather said | might
come. He didn't care to himself. It's long
walk, too, from the tavern, and he's very old. -
"Does your grandfather keep the tavern p
! asked.
NO, sir wish he did ~ said the child
" He has only his fiddle, and people half the
time don't care for tunes. What can he do
though? Tonight there's a dance, and he's
to play for them. That's why we stopped.
81 will show you a place where you car
see the bride well. 1t is in the gallery
viii you like that"
al don't know" she said al haven't
often been to church. We pray together il
lonely places, grandfather and I. Will yor
be there, sir ?"
ayes"
Z" | know | should like it,
" Come with me, then" ! said.
had meant to hide myself in the gallery
and see my lost love married quite unseen
This companion had not been in my roll a
ALL But liked it, No friend, no relative
not my own sister would have had besid
me; but this elfsh thing was too innocen
to fear. | led the way up the dark ole
stairs, and toward spot quite sheltere,
from general view. Then | sat down, AM
she stood leaning over the balustrade
| MulSDtltu RlkHlttl, ildJTOn
famed themselves and men yawned. Soor
the soft roll of carriages on the gravel patti
was heard, and the bridal party entered.
saw her at last Aletta
"ls that the bride Z" half sobbed tn
girls voice at my side. ais it a real lady
She looks like wax. Oh, how pretty, how
beautiful Look look p
She touched me with her little BROW
| hand and Ionka1 M ma har RI limo
"Did you ever see her before 2" sh
asked. ais she like that in everyda,
clothes Oh, how pretty how prettyl"
Men have no right to weep. put IN,
head down upon the cushion of the pew
and hid my eyes. | felt the child creeI
close beside me.
Soon looked down into the church again
and saw Grant Stanton kiss his bride.
:" Is it all over ?" asked the girl.
"Yes, child" said, all over
"Then must CO." she said. "Thanl
you for being so kind to me, sir. Goodbye.
| went home when the church was quit
empty. 1t had not been as hard to bear a
| had feared, and oddly enough found my
self thinking of that child's little gyps
head and those beautiful long-fringed eyes
! wondered at myself, but it was SO.
:" should like to see the child again
said and as spoke, spied a crowd abou
a tavern door upon the road.
1t was poor place and poor, rough pee
pie made up the group. But it was plainl
no common quarrel or drinking bout whic
had brought them here, for their faces wer
all grave and their voices suppressed.
crossed the road.
"What has happened, friend ?" | asked G
a tinker near by.
"Only blind fiddler dropped dead" h
said. But there's gal there wild about it.
Aud then passed him and went in. A
old man lay upon the floor, and across hi
body girl had flung herself | knew til
gypsy hair and the brown neck, the scar
cotton dress, and the sun-bonnet hung wit
a handful of wild flowers upon the floor an
| bent over her, touching her little despairin
head.
"My child" said, abe is happy now"
And she looked up.
He was all had," she said "all, all
So had | thought when Aletta gave IN
back our betrothal ring. My heart ache
for her. ! said no other word but led he
to an inner room, while two men bore tn
dead man up stairs. She wept wildly, bu
my presence seemed to comfort her.
After while she drew closer to me, an
sitting on a low stool, leaned her for,
head on my knee. Soon my hand rested o
it, and in an hour she had sobbed herse
to sleep.
said few words to the landlady whe
| arose TO leave, and she promised to atten
to my orders, enforced by the contents {
my pocket-book.
1.-The girl shan't go until hear frol
. you, sir" she said. "Indeed, don't kno'
where she would go. She seems friendless
and such a child for her age Than
you, SIR"
And | went on my way again, thinkin
not of Aletta, but of the dead fiddler
grandchild - this sun-browned waif,
simple and ignorant and friendless an
alone.
was young yet--not five and twenty
| bachelor, and likely to be one my life lonj
had no proper home TO take her to, and u
friend to aid me. AT last, in my extremit
thought of Betty-old Betty, who ha
once been my nurse, and who loved me
she might her own son-and in the gloan
| ing | made my way TO her poor home.
| found her trimming her vines in the bit
| battle-ground, and had my usual kiss aero
the garden fence even before the garden ga
| was opened.
1 | W peNh VI louf ouc
| knew 1t was you as soon as | heard son
| one coming. 'Tisn't every young gent
| man would weary himself coming to see a
| old lady like me. Sit down, honey, an
| rest"
| 81 came TO ask favor, Betty"
| "Just name it, Master Bertie.'
] "Will You take boarder Betty 2"
4" Bless me in my two roomsl"
"Only child, Betty"
"a child Master Albertl
told her of the fidder's death and
|, the girl.
have money enough" said, A." but |
female relatives. | can only come TO you.
"You always were kind-hearted from
4 boy," she said. "I'll take the little eli
Il Master Berthe
Then she put both hands on my shoulder
"You haven't fretted, have you ?" 81
asked.
"Fretted Why :" | asked.
s "Nay, why indeed ?" said old Bett
Il Better fish in the sea than ever were caug
yet" Then in a moment more she adde
ave been to see the wedding"
felt my face flush
! Shall bring the girl tomorrow aft
her grandfather's funeral ?" | asked.
"When you please" said Betty. "Bl
Master Albert, what do you mean to do wi
her You are doing all this in hurI
Just think Bit"
81 am going to adopt the child" | sal