The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-04-24

the wagon coming slowly up the hill, Carl
sitting III front holding, something very
carefully on his knees
With an inward wonder as to what this
could be, she dartcd back into the summer
kitchen, and had just removed the ashes
from bed Of glowing Goals, when Carl ell
tered coming in through the front way
''Why, Carl, what has kept you SO latc2"
oh mother !" cried Carl excitcdly,
'1've had such strange adventure! Come
into the front room and see what I've brought
you ~ .-
Wondering not a little, Mrs. Bradley fol-
lowed Carl into the front room. And there,
upon pretty, chintz- covered lounge, lay
beautiful little girl, about four years old,
fast asleep.
Goodness me!' she ejaculated, with
get that2"
''I didn't get her," responded Carl, "she
came to me- l believe the Lord sent her!"
added the boy, dropping his voice, and a
solemn look coming into his eyes, us they
rested upon the sweet picture before him.
And, certainly, there was never Il swccter
picture than that round, dimplcd face, with
tho bright halo of golden curls that cncir-
clcd it.
/ AS Mrs. Bradley gazcd upon the little
stranger, its beauty and hclplcssness appeal
ed strongly to the purcst and sweetness in
stincts Of her nature.
"It is very a very lovely child, Carl.
But don't understand-
'Of course you don't!' laughed Carl,
rubbing his'hand with boyish glcc, rs lie
took another survey of his ncw-found treas
ure. GLOW should you, when | haven't
told you2
''fo go back to the beginning, the first
time saw the little thing she was sitting
on Mrs, Morcland's steps, crying. Mrs
Morcland is the lady who engaged so many
OF our purple plums. l had sold every
thing but them, and when l went up the
steps with tho basket | filled the child's
chubby hands as full us they could hold.
81 was all of fifteen minutes in Mrs.
Morclands. thought should never get
away; she had SO much to say, and it took
her such time to get change and have the
pums measured. l didn't see the little girl
when came out, and supposed she belong
ed to somebody in one of the houses near
by, and that she had gone in. | turned
Charley's head homeward and you know
how he pricks up his ears and trots along
when do that. l had got quite piece out
of town when heard little cry. At first
thought it was along the roadside, and
stopping the wagon, looked around. Not
seeing anything, drove on. Pretty soon I
heard another cry louder and more impa-
tient, and which sounded as if it was lust
back of me. turned my head, and there
the little thing was, sitting among the emp
ty baskets and boxes!
81 was astonishcd enough at first, and
then | saw just how it happened.
"4ou see, the wagon was close to the
steps, and she had clambcred into the back
part, after moro plums, perhaps and being
tired out wandering around, had gone to
sleep"
her right back"
$50 did, mother that's what made me
so late. I drove straight back to Mrs.
Morcland's, and she didn't know anything
about her. l asked the people in some Of
the other houses and they didn't either.
One man told me to take her to the station
But wouldn't do that-sllch little bit of
a baby-so l just brought her home to
YOU"
Here the child awokc and began to cry,
partly from hunger and partly from seeing
the strange faces that bent over her
Those violet eyes, with their griovcd,
wondering look, awokc a strange thrill in
flrs Bradlcy's heart, and claspcd their
owner in her arms, she carried her out to
where Carl's supper was awaiting for him.
Carl would have fed the hungry child
with the substantial food SO grateful and
necessary to him, though he yielded readily
to his mothers suggestion that warm milk
would be better.
While he was out milking, Mrs. Bradley
questioned the child, but could gain no in
formation, save that her name was Dora
and her papa's name ''papa." There was
no name upon the clothing whose elegance
and fincness of texture indicated that she
was the child of wealth, carefully and ten
derly nurtured.
Dora partook eagerly of the nice bread
and milk that were prepared for her, falling
asleep Immediately after, SO that it was
into the little night dress, which Carl could
hardly believe that he had ever worn, even
when his mother told him so, and how
quickly he outgrew it.
He wAsched the process with great inter
est. r r
"You'll keep her, won't you, mother 2"
he said, as he kissed one of the white, dim
ed feet. 'eYou've often said that you
wished you had little girl"
'If no one claims her. We must do all
we can to find out to whom she belongs.
There are hearts that are very sorrowful to-
night, mourning tho loss of their darling"
The next day Mrs. Bradley wrote out
full description of Dora for the daily Ia7-
6inDer, and which she gave to Carl to take
to the village postofIlce.
AS no walked along, thinking of the mort
gage, which threatened to deprive them of
their little home, and wishing that he was a
man, that he might get mans wages, he
saw an elegant barouche approaching drawn
by span of coal-black horses, ,"aose sill
ycr-mounted harness glittered in the sum
light.
1t contained only two persons It's colorcd
driver, and stately-looking, middle-aged
gentleman, who ordered the carriage to
stop, as soon as he saw Carl.
"Boy, can you toll me where the Widow
Bradley lives2"
That Is my mothers name. She lives
In tho third house, On the right hand,
straight ahead. y
The man smiled.