The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-03-13
Polly Pembroke's Baby.

in the CITY"
Polly Pembroke was a farmers daugh-
ter, who had came down to New York
to buy the material for the first silk
dress she had ever owned-a real deep
blue, to he trimmed with velvet of q
darker shsde
And Pollys golden head was dizzy
with the thunder OF omnibus wheels,
and the rattle and rush of eloyated rail
ways, and the succession Of brilliant
things in the shop windows and Polly
sat holding on 10 her parcels in the
great echoing depot, and wondering why
everybody was in such a hurry.
For the express train was just going
out, and Polly and Miss Jones, the vii
lage dress maker, who had come with
her to help select the important dress,
were obliged to wait fifteen minutes for
the way train, which condcScended to
stop at "Whip-poorWill Glen" wher.
Polly lived.
She was pretty little primrose of a
maiden, with large, wistful brown eyes,
lovely yellow hair, and cheeks as pink as
daisy, while Miss Jones, who set be-
side her, was straight and stiff, and up
right and wrinkled as became "a single
woman of sixty.
And lust as Polly was wondering if
there was no end to the stream of hui
mainly flowing through the wide open
depot gate, tall, handsome gentleman,
with a dark complexion and deep Span
ish ewes. came in with little babe in his
arms.
"Stcwardess,' said he to a respectable
looking quadroon, with a scarlet silk
handkerchief twisted picturesquely
around her head, who was busting the
window sash, II am going out on the
Chicago Express, and | have forgotten a
message which must be telegraphed to
my place of business at once; will you
be good enough to take this child min
ute, until"
But the stewardess hastily brew back
and said:
''No. sab; eff you please, I've heard O
many cases where spectacle women was
left wild strange children on their hands
list dis-a-way."
Instinctively, Polly Pembroke held
out her arms.
LET me take the baby. sir" said she,
coloring all over with petty eagerness,
IN hold it for you. Children are
always good with me.
The stranger dotted his hat court
eously.
II am infinitely obliged to you," he
said, land I'll trouble youno longer than
| can help"
Polly, Polly are you going mad g.
whispered Miss Jones, pulling the sleeve
of the girls dress.
But Polly paid no heed to her.
Suppose that gentleman shouldn t
come back - cried Miss Jones, elevating
both hands.
"He will" said Polly, gently rocking
the little miteon her knees. "Oh, look,
Miss Jones Isn't it pretty l declare,
it's laughing"
"Prettyl' groaned Miss Jones, rolling
her white-blue eyes skyward. "Polly
Pembroke, / do believe you've taken
leave of your senses. There is the bell
the gates are closed.'
What of itl' said Polly.
''1ne Chicago Express has gone ~
well, said Polly, "what of that ?"
Child don't you comprehend Your
line gentleman was going in the Chicago
Express" cried Miss jones'
II suppose he has missed the train"
said Polly quietly.
"Not he !" shifted Miss Jones. "He
has skunk quietly in by another way, and
Is laughing IN his sleeve at you and your
folly TINS sery moment
Nonsense /" said Polly
But she looked little disturbed, new
erthel"SS, and glanced rather anxiously
at the door through which the tall gen
tIeman with the Spanish eyes had disap-
peAred.
"CoIne,@ said Miss Jones, jumping up
briskly, and gathering her parcels in her
hand. There's the bell for our train.
"but | cant 20 and leave the child"
said Polly.
"Humph r snorted Miss Jones care
you going 20 stay here all night with
itT'
But what shall do :" said Polly, be-
ginning 20 be little bewildered and
frightened. Perhaps, Miss Jones, we
had f.e,tev wait until tha pox% train