Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-02-21

ri 'sty got the better OF her, and she stoop-
ed and threw aside the blanket that envel
oped the rosy bundle. and gazed curiouslv
at the dainty embroidery that covered the
Infants robes. Up came a tiny hand-a
small fist full of fingers came out and
grasped one OF hers, and a bird-like note
eurgled from the perfect mouth. She
drew back half frightened; the little one
opened its blue eyes wider. seeking hers
with wondering, wounded look. an.
burst into a low, grieved cry.
Joanna came back with her wrsppinys
on. The little ones piteous cry went to
her heart.
Poor baby.'' she murmured. STOPPING
down and rocking the basket gently to and
fro.
There was something motheriy in the
very touch of her hand upon the basket.
and 10 the strangely softened tone Of her
voice that awoke a fierce Jealousy In ber
comnanion's breast. She almost pushed
her aside, as though she could not bear the
sight.
What do you know of children j Joanns7 2"
she said: give IL to me."
Then she took up the basket and ALL and
marched into her own room. Joanna go
ing back 10 her kitchen and TO her cooking,
heard her telling Nlcodetnus TO put more
wood on the fire. Presently she came into
the kitchen. got some milk from the cup
board aud warmed It In cup on the stove
saving never word; and amer little
Nicodcmus brought the cup back from the
room. empty.
When Miss Grey was called to breakfast,
she came out looking as serene a. could
be. She left Nicodemus in the room with
the baby during her absence.
During the morning Joanna contrived an
errand in'o the sitting room, and found
her mistress busily working on a small gar
nent of delicate texture. while the infant
lay >oundly sleeping in its strange cradle
the basket.
Joanna said Mas Grey Il have
named this child Emily Grey. after my
mother
It's girl. then." said Joanna.
Certainly. Did yon suppose ! wanted
10 raise mp a boy to break my heart In my
I old age?''
/ No ma'am."
Bring me 4 Bible. and pen aud ink"
I Joanna lited the heavy, richly-bound
volume from It's cushion on the table. and
carried il 70 her. then brought pen aud ink
from a small writinc-desk by the window.
Ms Grey turned to the Family Record,
and under the head Of Births" wrote on
4 the clean page in fair. clcrkly hand
Emily Grey. Dec 25ih. Is
All that morning, while the bells called
! the people Ia worship in the little white
church under the Aill. and the choir sang
the Christmas anthems, Miss Theodore sat
and wrought patiently on a slip for little
Emily. Peter Brook came over TO eat his
Christmas dinner as usnal-thc only Christ
ma hospitality she ever dispensed and
receiving orders to bring up a neat crib
from the village.
so she's going to keep the little one"
observed be 10 Joanna. Curious Great
ures these women are
Its a blessed mercy there are women
IN the world retorted Josnus II dare
say you'd have sent il TO the poor house or
the 'sylum."
That's the place for EN-" returned
Peter
Get out. you hard-hearted brute. It's
NV opinion that baby came straight from
heaven. | can't believe anv human being
brought II here, and me never to know IT,"
.fis.H-. .-sv' that shows. how nanrh YOU
In naming the child. Miss Theodore tot
ally ignored the fact that certain articles OF
IT, wardrobe-which was Of the finest ma
trrIai-were marked with the letters IL
w" What these letters signified was no
concern OF hers. app arenty.
The little. white draped crib stood al
WAYS in Miss Grey's room. close by her own
bed. There little Emily lived. watched
and tended By love that never grew
weary.
Aud how the little one grew, IL seemed
I but . very little while ere the old house so
/ grim and austere in It's former state, grew
musical with laughter and pstter Of little
{ feet and sunny with n winsome presence
I OF white robes and golden curls and rosy
checks.
/ Christmas was kept as Emilv's birthday.
f On the first Of these anniversaries, Peter
Booos brought up from the village pretty
+ little baby carriage. lie and Joanna. at
I dagger points usually. had united their
. funds and bought the thing at an auction.
Nicodemus was harnessed in, and Miss
/ Emily-,he weather being mild-.ook thst
day her first airing In il, making the tour
7 OF the grounds around the house. with
/ Mis-, Theodore. Joanna and Peter follow
] ing In procession behind. Aiterward Me
Odemus aud the carriage with lis pretty oc
cupant, often accompanied Joanna on her
/ marketing expeditions TO the village, where
/ every one soon knew "the little Grey" IL
was when returning from one Of these ex-
I peditions, in the dusk OF an autumn eve
4 ming, when little Emily was nearly two
years old, that they encountered a stranger
| Just outside the yillsge-a sunburned
wayworn woman. dressed in faded black.
/ aud on foot. She was hurrylng by, IS II
wishing TO escape observation. when
/ glance at the occupant of the little carriage
} seemed TO rsot her TO the spot.
Good evening. ma'am," said Joanna,
civilv. seeing her stop. and supposing
that she might wish to inquire for some
/ shelter for the night.
Her salutation was returned In slightly
broken accent. but the stranger. making
| no further speech, Joanna hurried on with
her charge, leaving her standing on the
/ Nfsa
! Grey. giving Joanna reprimand for keep
ing 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
came into the kitchen saying.
"Dar's oman at de gate"
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 village.
"What do you wantT' she asked sharp
ly.
II want to stay in house all night"
''rhen, why don't you go 10 the villageT
They won't take me-Ihave no money"
Joanna surveyed the forlorn figure in
perplexed silence.
Cant you give me a corner where
can rest?'' asked the stranger. piteously.
81 will not trouble you for anything, ex.
cept floor to sleep on"
MY mistress never lodges strangers"
said Joanna, "but come into the kitchen
I'll zee what ! can do"
By the exercise of some diplomacy 10
behalf of the tramp" as Miss Grey styled
the traveller. Joanna succeeded In gaining
permission for her to sleep on pallet IN
the kitchen.
Give her some supper. Joanna" added
the mistress. ''NO doubt she is half
starved
After the tramp had had her supper.
and Joanna had prepared her bed on the
floor, she stood up by the fire, and looking
Joanna in the face with her large. black
eyes. said suddenly:
Whose child is it you had with your
MY mistress child"
Not her own childT'
No" and Joanna shut her lips tightly,
as If to prevent the escape Of further infor-
|