Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-04-16
.eWhy Carl what has kent vou SO late1'

| NOnuerlffr not 4 llttie, Mrs. DfauleN lOi-
lowed Carl into the front room. And there,
upon pretty, chintz- covered lounge, lay a
beautiful little girl, about four years old,
fast asleep.
Goodness mel" she calculated. with
uplifted eyes and hands, ''where did you
get that ~
81 didn't get her." responded Carl, ''she
came to me. believe the Lord sent her -
added the boy, dropping his voice, and a
solemn look coming into his eyes, as they
rested upon the sweet picture before him.
| And, certainly, there was never a sweeter
picture than that round, dimpled face, with
the bright halo of golden curls that encir-
cled it,
As Mrs. Bradley gazed upon the little
stranger, its beauty and helplessness appeal
ed strongly to the purest and sweetness in
stincts of her nature.
at is very very lovely child, Carl.
But don't understand"
''Of course YOU don't ~ laughed Cah,
rubbing his hand with boyish glee, as he
took another survey of his new found treas
ure. .'flow should you, when | haven't
told youi
''To go back to the beginning, the first
time | saw the little thing she was sitting
on Mrs. Moreland's steps, crying. Mrs.
Moreland is the lady who engaged so many
of our purple plums. | had sold every
thing but them, and when | went up the
steps with the basket | filled the child's
chubby hands as full as they could hold.
Il was all of fifteen minutes in Mrs.
Moreland's. | thought | should never get
away she had so much to say, and it took
her such time to get change and have the
plums measured. didn't see the little girl
when | came out, and supposed she belong
ed to somebody in one of the houses near
by, and that she had gone in. l turned
Charey's head homeward; and YOU know
how he pricks up his ears and trots along
when | do that. ! had got quite piece out
of town when heard a little cry. AT first
| thought it was along the roadside, and
stopping the wagon, looked around Not
seeing anything, drove on. Pretty soon |
heard another cry louder and more impa-
tient, and which sounded as if it was just
back of me. | turned my head, and there
the little thing was, sitting among the emp
ty baskets and boxes,
Il was astonished enough at first, and
then saw just how it happened.
''IOu see, the wagon was close TO the
steps, and she had clambered into the back
part, after more plums, perhaps, and being
tired out wandering around, had gone to
sleep"
''But, Carl, you ought to have carried
her right back. =
$50 did, mother; that's what made me
50 late. | drove straight hack to Mrs.
Moreland's, and she didn't know anything
about her. asked the people in some OF
the other houses and they didn't either.
One man told me TO take her to the station.
But | wouldn't do that-such little bit of
a baby-so | Just brought her home TO
you"
partly from hunger and partly from seeing
the strange faces that bent over her.
Those violet ewes, with their grieved,
wondering look, awoke strange thrill in
Mrs. Bradley's heart, and claspcd their
owner in her arms, she carried her out TO
where Carls supper was awaiting for him.
Carl would have fed the hungry child
with the substantial food so grateful and
necessary TO him, though he yielded readily
to his mothers suggestion that warm milk
would be better.
While he was out milking, Mrs Bradley
questioned the child, but could gain no in
formation. save that her name was Dora
and her papa's name ''papa." There was
no name upon the clothing, whose elegance
and fineness of texture indicated that she
was the child of wealth, carefully and ten
derly nurtured.
Dora partook eagerly of the nice bread
and milk that were prepared for her, falling
asleep Immediately after, so that it Was
with some difficulty that she was inducted
into the little night dress, which Carl could
hardly believe that he had ever worn, even
when his mother told him so, and how
quickly he outgrew ii.
He watched the process with great inter-
est.
you'll keep her, won't YOU, mother =
he said, as he kissed one of the white, dim
pied feet ''You've often said that you
wished you had little girl"
'.If no one claims her. We must do all
we can to find out to whom she belongs.
There are hearts that are very sorrowful to-
night, mourning the loss of their darling.
The next day Mrs. Bradley wrote out a
full description of Dora for the daily Hdr-
binger. and which she gave to Carl To take
to the village postoffice.
As he walked along, thinking of the mort
gage, which threatened TO deprive them OF
their little home, and wishing that he was
man, that he might get a mans wages, he
saw an elegant barouche approaching drawn
by span of coal-black horses, whose sill
yer mounted harness glittered in the sun
light.
1t contained only two persons 4: it s colored
driver, and a stately-looking, middle-aged
gentleman, who ordered the carriage to
stop, as soon as he saw Carl.
s'Boy, can you tell me where the Widow
Bradley lives!"
THAT is nv mothers name. She lives
in the third house, ON the right hand,
straight ahead. "
The man smiled.
81 am Judge Haviland. You must be
Carl Bradley, who found and took such
kind care of my little Dora. | am impatient
to see her-jump in and tell my man where
to STOP"
There was something more than curiosity
in the keen eyes that surveyed Carl as he
obeyed.
.sWas not your mothers maiden name
Wynne-Helen Wynne"
''Yes, sir"
81 used to know her when she was girl,
and very beautiful girl she was, too.
ssMy mother is very beautiful now"
| 81 don't doubt it, smiled the judge.
sAnd you are her sonl Dear! dear! how
time does fly, to be sure.
Mrs. Bradley was sitting upon the vine
covered porch, with Dora in her arms, who
had fallen fast asleep, and did not see the
two until they were close upon her.
Strange and tenderemotions stirred Judge
Havland's heart as he saw that fair, sweet
woman, the never-forgotten love OF his
youth, holding his motherless child to her
lbosom.
at is Judge Haviland, mother" said
Carl, in response to that startled inquiring
look.
..Helen-Mrs Bradley, how shall thank
you for your kindness to my little daugh-
teri hope you have not found her trou-
lblesome ~ he added, as the suddenly
awakened child sprang eagerly to his arms.
/ \ hat 10 To,