The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-05-13


ones refined face. I'll tell you what
I'll do, Fielding / have no children of
my own, and this child has captured me
entirely by his sweet face and winning
ways. If you will sign paper resign
ing all claim to him in the future, and
promising never to try to see him again,
III adopt him, educate him, and leave
him comfortably we'll off. Come, now,
that's an offer you won't get every
day."
Martha Flelding's face grew pale at
this proposition. What part with her
pet lamb ? Sell her child for goldY
Then ambition whispered:
"Was not this golden opportunity
for her boy wealth, luxury, the best
of clothes, carriage to ride in, and no
work to soil his pretty hands. If she
made this sacrifice, would he not re-
ward her for it all when he grew up to
be rich, honored man ?''
No good angel whispered in her ear
that he might live to be ashamed of his
humble mother her faith in him was
infinite.
She was ignorant, worshiped what
gold could buy, and would have cut out
her heart if her idol could have been ben
Gifted thereby.
There was one terrible struggle with
her mother-love, then the tempter tri-
umphed, and she gave her son, whose
soul should have been her most prec-
ious responsibility, into the hands of a
worldly minded, coarse woman, who
belived that money was the open sesame
to even the gate itself.
appreciate the honor done us,
ma'am," in husky voice; "but it is
hard, the terms you make If l could
only see my darling once or twice a
year,
Impossible, my good woman ~ with
decided, ugly shake of the head; "im-
possible. You must give him up entire
ly, or not at all. I'll have no vulgar re-
latives claiming my pet. He shall be
all Landersdale, and nothing coarse
must come near to spoil his future Ver-
non Landersdale. will have Bishop
Stafford christen him at once. How do
you like the name, my dear p''
Isaac was only eight years old, but he
was sharp enough to comprehend the
lady's meaning.
6 love you already, ma'am, and, if
ma will let me, I'll go and live with
you."
THAT is precious lamb. Come now,
Fielding, be sensible.''
Well" with one last struggle be-
tween love and expediency, &c take him,
ma'am." Then, with a burst of tears,
SEQ now. know it is for my dar-
ling's good ; but, If you don't take him
right off, l can never part with him."
"We mustn't have a scene, Fielding.
Kiss your boy, and then we will go at
once. Twill get my lawyer to draw up
the papers, and come here tomorrow
and, if you decide to take ii quietly,
may give you little something too.-
OF course you must give up all idea of
washing for me for, though I'd like
to help you bit, it might cause the
servants to make scurrilous remarks
about Vernon's BIRTH"
The mother clasped her son in her
arms for the last time, and pressed burn
ing kisses upon his lips; but his eyes
were dry as he slipped from her caresses
with peevish cry.
John stood by while this scene was
transpiring, scarcely realizing what had
happened. AS Ike was about to leave,
he ran forward and caught his brothers.
hand.
Goodbye, Ike. Don't hold grudge,
do youS L don't; and 1 think it's bull
ly you are going to live in a big house,
and have swell time -
Mrs. Landersdale paused at the head
of the creaking stairs and looked at
John through pair of gold eyeglasses
she sometimes affected when she desired
to appear particularly awful.
"And who is this vulgar little rough,
may ask 2"
"Oh, this is John, my youngest,
ma'am. A good enough boy, but he'll
pick up gutter talk, you know
There settled upon Mrs. Landersdale's
features an expression which betokened
her extreme annoyance.
i" Dear, dear coarse brother to fol-
low my pet through the world, and spoil
his prospects. But he shan't do it no,