South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-06-28
Won Through Fife & water.
BY THOMAS 8. COLLIER.
Well, 1 never!

Z GU uer ormS, anu SaZeu W0nQerln2ly 0t
tho mite Of humanity standing before
her.
With face whose natural color could
not be seen through the dirt that cover.
ed 1t. but out Of which shone two clear
eyes or darkest, deepest blue, with q
hatless head; in whose mass or tangled
hair, the sun made gatherings Of fich;
red gold; with feet devoid OF shoes
and garments SO torn and ragged, that
they seemed 70 be kept together by
some wonderful power Of cohe sion, the
wife Of Farmer Borlan was justified in
being surprised a, the apparition which
greeted her as she ope ned her Kitchen
door in response to timid rap thereon.
Well, and who arc you? she asked
after n survey Of several minutes.
which the clear blue eyes met with I'm.
shrinking trust.
(; Dorpt.
What? Is that your namep
Yes. Dorpt Van Verdan.
! What funny name. And what I'D
you want2
I'm hungry.
! Come in; then, for it is too bad for
any one to he hungry. and such fine
crops to be harvested, and Mrs Bor-
Ian picked up. the tiny form and car
ried it TO her sink room, where she
administered bountifnl rubbing Of
soap and water to the soiled face and
hands.
/! Then she brushed the tangles out OF
the sunny hair, and after this was done
placed we'll filled plate OF food before
her new acquaintance.
She waited, however, until the child's
/ hunger was satisfied. and 1t was not
Until she had removed the plate that he
showed away with sigh of satisfac ton.
! that she said Where did you come
! from?
o, I've walked ever and ever so
far.
Have you no father or mother2
: No; lost them:
| lIow7 Are they dead?
; No; but / lost them in big wood
that We were riding through.
Where was this woOdr
i don't know but have walked lots
since left it.
Do you know where you used to
live?
o, yes, in New York. Father was
going West.
Doyou know to what part Of the west9
To Iowa:
! Well, you are i'm Indiana now.
Then The farmers wife sat down and
looked at the Bright faced child before
hef and her woman soul began To cling
TO his happy look and deep; truthful
eyes. She bad lost tlie one sweet flow
er OF her motherhood. and none had come
to take its place. Maybe this little
stranger had been sent to fill the
void.
How long is it since you were lostY
she asked. her heart growing glad with
q whispered hope.
Lots of days ago.
And where have you slept and eat
since then2
q, I've slept in straw and hay heaps,
and people have given me dinners every
day.
The Lord cares for his lambs, MUIR
INJURED the farmers wife and then she
took tin horn from n shelf, and go-
ing to the door blew o long blast that
reached Farmer Borlan's cara and caus.
ed him to stop his moving and fasten
uiS Ichib W Vic icuCc Tic
meadow in which he was at work.
What's up now, wonder, he NUT
tered, as Inc strobe away towards the
house. He was stout, jovial faced
man, and when he came near his wife,
who was still standing in the door,
said in n merry voice Well Mary, which
chicken is sick now
There is no chicken sick, John: Int
here is n stray lamb, and she stood aside
TO let him see the child, who was still
seated In the chair where she had plac-
cd bin.
Hello where did he come from?
Quickly and feelingly she told the
story rs the child had narrated IL. and
when she finished turned her eyes in
which the shadow Of tears was glisten-
ing, to her husband, and said. What are
we TO do with him. John2
The bronzed face bent down lovingly
toward her, and taking her hands in bis
the man asked. What would YOU like
TO do, Mary?
| should like to keep him that is IL
no one claims him.
His bearded lips drew nearer TO hers
and be said:
Then keep him my darling, and n
kiss closed the words, which were re.
wnrded by tender and clinging en-
brace
Titus II vas that Dorpt Van Verdan
took his place as an inmate Of Farmer
Borlan's home for no ono ever came 10
claim him, and soon his sunny face and
merry laugh were grown so dear TO the
! farmer and bis wife, that il would haze
been a great loss TO them, had he been
taken away.
I Dorpt had been part OF the family
: for over two years, and had grown q
stout, aud happy youngster OF seven.
or Whereabouts, when little girl baby
came TO be bis companion, aud glad
den the hearts OF the farmer and his
wife
d Thora varo rnorry f;,no, - H. III