Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-10-16

When he had placed tts al: edmfotta-
bly, in the carriage, the Quakefess said to
him, Friend, should be glad tn.khoW
thy name and the place where Ehoti doest
business, If peradventure, I may eyet IT,
pay thy kindness -.
at is nothing. I only did IS was
told. Your thanks are due theladts
'Nay, but tell me thine address,, she
gently persisted. rr.z. + tfft5
He looked at me and not at the Qua
keress, as he said, my name is John
Gordon, and my place is 2t0 F. Street"
When we reached the little cottage
where the mother OF the Quakeress lived,
was so warmly welcomed and 50 hospit-
ably treated, that went in and spent
most Of the day. Even the baby relented
toward me, under the sunny influence of
Ter grandmother, and we became moder-
ate friends. I actually grew to love these
people on an acquaintance Of few hours.
Have I said before that my listeners
already was not precisely as. other men
in MY eyes7 He was very tall, fully six
feet, If not fraction over, with shoulders
broad enough for any burden. He was q
ittl clumsy withal, as if his body had
somewhat outgrown his consciousness of
it; and, like all giants, he was very good
natured; every line in his face showed
that the world wagged to his liking
through life. -
1t was wet, dreary day, and I sup
pose people take cold easily when their
spirits arc low, for 1 went home at right
shivering, and was not permitted to re-
sumo my journey till the end of fort
night, when found Mr.. Gordon on the
platform looking about anxiously.
~ am SO glad to see you, he said, tax
ing my hand cordially. 81 had begun
to think that Quaker baby was too much
for you. And you have been ILL., You are
pale now"
I replied very quietly to his greeting.
He sat down beside me, and took little
parcel from his pocket.
"See," he said, Tour patient has sent
us something to remember her by, and
here is note you may read If you
like"
This is the note:
"F5iend John Gordonr-If were rich
IN this worlds goods, would try to re-
pay thy kindness to me when was in
great need; but will only send thee a
little book to remind thee som etimes of
me. have let sli from my memory tho
surname Of the other friend who was so
good to me and baby. send book to thee
for her. as ccnclu7e that thou knowest
her we'll. ALICE NEWMAN"
ASH turned over the leaves, photo
graph of the baby dropped out. It look
ed like a fat, meaningless lump of clay,
like all baby's pictures.
"Let me write your name in the book"
he said, after pause.
"If you please"
"But don't know it Yet.'
"It is Hester Deane."
"Thank you. If I had known it SOON
er, should have been spared some anx-
iety, as might have learned the reason
OF your staying at home so long,"
We grew very we'll acquainted mental
ly and morally in our long talks. But
Mr.. Gordon left me wholly in the dark
touching his family and circumstances,
and I was too proud to make inquiries
of any one who lived in the same town
with him. He had never said any thing
to me that good husband and the father
of an interesting family might not say to
travelling acquaintance whom he found
agreeable, and I knew that more latitude
in manner is allowed to men than to NO
men.
1t came to pass one day in sum-
mer that Mrs. Newman, our little Quak-
eress, invited US both to take tea with
her. I had a warm reception from Mrs.
Newman and her old mother, both :of
whom thought that they couldn't make
my visit more agreeable than by enticing
the baby to show eff her PAGES.
As tea. time drew on, seemed to be-
come nothing but ears IN listening for
Mr.. Gordon. He came in good time, and
within five minutes the good old lady
had proved to her own satisfaction that
he was the Third cousin to her on her
mothers side. He seemed really to be
pleased with all the world. and praised
the preserves and the baby with about
equal warmth.
''Alice has told me how good thee was
10 the baby, Friend John; peradventure
thee has child at home to make thee
good to all Others
"No," he said, laughing; "the baby
knows better; she bore loud testimony to
my awkwardness all the time held her.
have no children, because my wife may
he child herself for aught can swear
to the contrary"
After tea we went out on the vine-cov-
cred piazza with Mrs. Newman, while
her mother carried the baby to her nest
upstairs. The baby evidently missed her
mother, and she would not be comforted :;
at last she broke out with the familiar
roar, and the little mother left US to our
own devices.
'eThat's blessed baby" said Mr.. Cor
don. Suppose we take little walk up
and down the street until Mrs Newman
comes back"
He drew my hand through his arm and
held it there, while we took silent turn
or two in the dewy darkness. could
not, for my life, think of any thing to
say:
II suppose" said Mr.. Gordon, at last,
chat this world is always 'rk, compar.
ed with heaven; but people Tighten it
very much by loving each other"
He waited minute, and it seemed to
me that the whole world was listening
for his next words.
"Do you think you could trust me for
light enough of that kind to make you
see your way through ife2''
Still could not speak torjoy.
''You are silent I will spare you the
pain of saying no. Let us 60 in"
We had almost reached the gate, and
Mrs. Newman's silvery dress shone dim
ly in the doorway. Mr.. Gordon's band
touched the latch. I laid mine upon it
and whispered, II love you with all my
heart"
II could really find it in my heart to
kiss that terrible infant" Mr. Gordon
said, as we took the late train together.
s'since she was made an instrument of
fate to bring us together.
What Presence of Mind Did for a
~ Soldier.
1t was during the siege of Wagner, and
the Union parallels were but few hun.
Grad wards auav frov,, tho 1;no of -