Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-07-24

in the. meantime, you could be induced
to give my children home
"Oh, dear, mol" said Miss Peck. Il
never could get along with a pack of chill
dren! I da1e say you could find some
half, orphan asylum or place of that sort,
by inquiring little" 1922.
Miss Peck sat so very upright, and
glared SO frightfully out of light blue
eyes at. the deacon, that he was fain to
beat a retreat as soon as possible. =
III He knocked next at the widow. Clapp's
door. A slipshod servant-maid opened
it.. -. -. =. Hi =.
lis Mrs. Clapp at home?" he asked.
A head was thrust over the stair rail
ing and the widows shrill voice cried
out:
"Is that Josiah Grinder, with his
swarm o. young ones! Tell him I am
particular engaged. Do you hear, Bet
sey,-particular."
Miss Barbara Bowyer was arranging
trimme ed hats and rolls of bright colored
ribbons in her bow window as the dea-
con and his little ones inferred the shop.
"Miss Bowyer," said the deacon, "you
were ever a genial and charitable soul.
1t is to you that trust to make home
for my motherless little ones, while I en-
deavor to retrieve my fortunes in the far
West"
II couldn't thing of such thing"
said Miss Barbara, dropping box of ar
tifcial flowers in her CONSERVATION. And
l really think, Deacon Grinder, you
haven't any business to expect it of me !!
It's all can do to support myself, let
alone a pack of .unruly children! I dare
say the poor master could do something
or them, Or"
~ thank you," said the deacon, with
dignity" l shall trouble neither you
nor him"
"Well," said Miss Bowyer with toss
OF her head, "you needn't fly into rage
because a neighbor offers you bit Of
good advicew
But Naomi Poole ran out to the little
garden gate, as the forlorn deacon went
by.
"Deacon Grinder" hesitated she, turn
ing rose-red and white by turns, lis this
truce"
"About my Mariposa investment?
Yes''
"And that you are going to Californian
II am talking of it" said the deacon.
"Would-could you let me take care of
the little ones while you are gomez" said
Noami, tenderly drawing little Dolly to
her side. 81 am very fond Of children,
and l would take the best care of them.
And you have been so kind to mother and
me, Deacon Grinder, that we should feel
it privilege to be able to do something
for YOU"
And poor soft-hearted little Naomi
burst into crying.
There was moisture on the deacon's
eyelashes, too.
"God bless you, Naomi !" aaid he, "You
are good girl.a very good girl"
"Ain't it true?" said Philena Peck.
"Well,' said Mrs. Mopsley, lit is, and
amt. He did lose what he invested in
them Mariposa mines, but it was only a
thousand dollars; and the rest of his mon
ey's all tight and safe in United States
bonds and solid real estate.
"Bless mel" said Barbara Bowyer.
'Well, never!' said the widow Clapp,
with discounted countenance
"And," went on Mrs. Mopsley with cvi-
dent relish in the CONSERVATION she was
causing, they are building new wing to
the house, and he is to be married to Mao.
mi Poole in the fall
"A child like that" said Mrs. Clapp>
"With no experience whatever!' said
Barbara Bowyer, scornfully.
II only hope he won't repent of his
BARGAIN" sighed Miss Philena Peck.
And Miss Philena's charitable hopes
were fulfilled. The deacon never did re-
pent of his bargain.