Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-05-15
CONTINUED from First Page.

There was luuatic asylum within a
mile of my house. but she had hardly es-
capped from there. looked in her eyes 4;
they were strained and frightened with a
wistful longing look in their dreary
depths, but bore no lurid lights.
''What is it child ?" asked softly
though am not in the habit of allowing
strangers to intrude upon me thus, will
give YOU whatever you wish. What can
do for you2"
4 step in the entry-Rachel Browns,
knew-sent the girl springiny towards me
like hunted deer.
30, hide me hide me-" she laltereC
out; and then her strength gave way ano
she sank fanting TO the floor. baby cry
coming wailingly out from under her close
~ gathered shawl.
There was situation for two old maids
TO be forced into, While Rachel Brown.
who always does the right thing at the
right time. was huShing the baby with one
hand and bathing its pale mothers still
face with the other, | was fumbling hope
lessly among the bottles on my bureau, mp
setting everything could lay my hands
on. ''What in the world shall we do,
Rachel p | asked, helplessly viewing the
situation.
''Do don't see but one thing there is
TO do. and that is to undress this couple of
invalids, and tuck EN- into bed. know
suth in about babies if | am an old maid
| nussed Cap'n Eaton wife with her twins
the spring afore the Cap'n was drowned
in the Specific ocean. and III bet my new
false teeth this little critter ain day ov-
er three weeks old. No doubt some
wretch of relation has turned this poor
child out of doors with her baby in her
arms, and seem you and don happen to
be periectonist, il amt for us to east the
first stone at her.
There is no gainsaving Rachel Brown.
Just then had as fervent admiration for
her as Betsev Trotwood had for Mr.. Dick
when she appealed TO him to know what
disposition she should make of David Cop
perfield and was straightway advised to
wash him.
Rachel always ordered me round. and
always will, dare say. II she should tell
me to go up on top of the house and sit on
the floor of that little room in the cupola
two hours with my eyes shut, | suppose
Shout obey her merely from the force of
habit though when she gets to ignoring
my twenty-nine years Of worldly wisdom
too utterly, | have only to threaten her
that will marry old Dr. Marsh and his
three red-haired children, and everybody
knows he has asked me regularly twice a
week ever since his wife died. But DR..
Marsh is too dire a penalty to pay for the
melancholy satisfaction Of having Mrs. on
nv tombstone.
Well, as | was saving, Just as worthy
Miss Trotwood took Mr. Dicks advice. |
took Rachel Browns Behold the strange
girl then, long ere the twilight fell, robed
in one of my ruiiled cambria nightgownS
that was a world too long for her. and
tucked in bed, where she lay like a broken
lily with the baby on her arm, its two pink
fists pressed against his rosebud of n mouth
and as ! sat by watching them, both lying
there sound asleep, | dropped a few fool
ish tears. thinking how improbable il was
that would ever own II baby with pink
fists and golden rings Of hair all over its
pretty head
1t was deep into the night before the
Young mother awokc. rested and re-
ireshed. her cheeks quite free of the fever
ish scarlet spot Rachel Brown had re-
marked as meaning mischief. ] shall
never forget the gratitude that looked out
vi Hcl 'Nt>. ~ size LAY
content in gazing into. my face.
II knew you were good and gentle
when | looked up and saw You leaning
out of the window this afternoon. Few
women would have taken me in as You
did. You won't let anybody come here
and take my baby away from me. will
you ?" she pleaded like frightened child,
the anxious. excited look coming again
over her face.
"Certainly not, - said Soothingly; 'you
may rest in peace no one shall harm
YOU"
I'D like TO see any body undertake to
do it. anyhow chimcd in Rachel Brown
her head appearing over the foot board
there amt any law in the land that can
take a nussin' baby away from its mother
Now you just lay still. and not fret your
self into fever, nobody ever comes here
but the butcher and milk boy, unless the
SEWN society should happen to yet short
of news, and send out collecttin' items. as
they've been known to do afore to day
But if any one of EN- strike for this house
I'll just commence singing, Tramp.
tramp, tramp, the boys are marchin', like
all the nation, and that will give YOU the
hint to cuddle up the baby and keep her
from cryin', and betrayin' us
Don't you believe any one has power
to force me to give up the child?'' the
girl asked again, too much engrossed
with her own troubles to smile AT Rachel
Brown.
Il am confident there is no such dan
GER said; "a mother is, Of course the
proper guardian of her infant l. it YOUR
husband you fear"
MY husband all no. God knows if he
had lived. baby and had never been
driven TO seek shelter and protection at
the hands of a stranger
Somehow all my vague doubts fled at
the sad, despairing tone. and IA strange
yearning pity grew up in my heart for one
so young, so beautiful. and so utterly
friendless.
Il will be your friend" said gently.
No marin shall reach YOU or your babe
and if You are hiding from any real or
fancied foe, my house shall be your strong
hold as long as You choose
There now | remember you-your
voice has the old clear ring in it," She