South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-12-05
The Child of Adoption.

down in the kitchen; Silvia, who took
in dressmaking III a quiet way, was
working on old Mrs. Walters new
black silk dress; and the mother was
making up her household accounts,
wrinkllng Ter brows, and nibbling the
handle OF her pen, as il any amount or
calculation could possibly make two
and two come to any number besides
four
oh; dear sighed Agnes, as she came
up Stairs aud fluag Herself lia,less,y
into The faded clIintz easy chair. with
the broken rocker and the dilapidated
springs, Il know the apple pie is going
t. be too small. Six apples aren't en-
ough for family like ours. But We
never do have large pattern of any
thing
I'm afraid; said Mrs: Muir; sadly.
we're not going TO be able To pay our
coal bill this month, girls
Let IL run until next said Silvia,
with her mouth full OF pins.
The man won't trust US for another
hai!,ton, said the mother, piteousy.
Try another place then.
Mrs. Muir shook her head.
That's only temporary, Silvia said
she. we can't 90 on 80 forever. And
I'm very much afraid wc.e running be-
hind with our payments generally
What's that?' as the diugy little bound
girl, who represented the whole do
nestle establishment Of the Muirs,
handed In a yellow envelope, with her
sooty finger and thumb, carefully envel-
opcd in the extreme corner OF her
2iugham apron. Another bill? And
j without cent lett to pay it.
1T isn't n bill, mamma said the
kecn-cyeI Silva. It's telegram
A telegrnE?' echoed tie nervous
little widow. beginning TO tremble al
over. Who on earth wouli send me n
telegram? It's somo mistake. I'm
| SIRE it's mist AXE
No, IL isn't, mamma, said Agnes.
tearing open the envelope. 1t is di-
rected plainly enough TO Mrs. Daniel
Muir; and Uucie MacJigGer's coming
home !
Uncle MacJigger?' cried Mrs Muir,
helplessly.
Uncle MacJigger?' echoed Silvia,
her voice pitched To Il semi-tone higher
with his adopted Child added Ag-
mes. And we're TO expect him to.
night. There " with The air Or Il prb-
phetess. h"e'o that applc-pie wouldn't
be large enough
| i didn' know he had an adop'c ell
child, Silvia said, with look of be-
"ildcrment in her innocent blue eyes.
Mamma, said Agnes, breathlessly.
what is lac ke?'
Child, how should know said Mrs.
! Muir. Il never saw him IN my lifc?'
Isn't he your uncle?
lie IL no relation in the world said
Mrs. Muir. Your grandpa adopted
/ him, after ! was married. | have al.
ways heard that he was n very respect
able sort of person; bu, that's all
| know about him
Adoption seems TO run in the rami
ly. sad Agnes, d;yy. But lie is
rich, isn't he?'
Very rich. believe
And why has lie never done any
thing for us?' demanded Silvia, al
most ferccly.
My dear expostulatcd Mrs. Muir.
1T can hardly he expected that he
should provide for usn
But, think it can. said Silvia a hor.
rid, snutfy. yellow.laced Old IN ser, who
/ has spent his lifetime in boarding up
/ gold !! What else has lie to Do with
money! said Agnes.
Children chllrenr cried Mrs
Muir; now you are getting unreal
/ sonable.'
Il say, Silvia said Agnes, with mcr
~ mischief twinlilne in her eyes, lets
I a. Ill 4
us =
Perhaps he isn't old enough
oh. he will be- nodded Agnes.
Perhaps he's n girl
oh lie wont be = declared the Young
er sister.
'Now you arc talking nonsense : sai2
Silvia with deep sigh We must
leave of ;his sort Of thing, and get the
room ready with crib for the child
and plenty Of coal and ltindlings ready
in case Uncle MacJigger should want
fire. I'm told that the California CHI
mate Is deal warmer than ours.
And that brings us back TO the coal
bill again. said Mrs. Muir despond-
emily.
oh. never mind the coal bill = cried
n
/ ton, mamma, that Uncle NncJipper's
visit is going TO he an era in our lives.
/ And, folding up the brcqdlhs Of Mira.
Walters new silk dress. size put on her
| things and went out 70 buy tic articles
necessary for dinner Gt 70 set before
] the distinguished guesl-elett.
When she came back with checks red.
der than any carnation, and eyes spark
ling VII her walk, there was a tall
handsome Young gentleman, with = Va.
Use IN Que hard and travelling shawl
flung over the otLer arm. ringing away
patiently at the door-bell
It's the adopted .cmld,' Silvia pro.
nounced in her secret mind. ~ she bur.
ried up the steps. AND, Oh ISM he
handsomCY
i beg your pardon, said the stranger
courteously, but think this bell-wire
must he out OF order. I've been ringing
here some time, and
tWhv Of rourao itta ont oc 49,