South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-06-06

constant tossing up AMI down would
keep him quiet. There were traces or
tears on the mothers face and the room
was in disorder. She evidently was
much surprised at her visiser. but Lau.
ra's easy manner treasured her.
Il am Laura Lamont, your. neighbor.
/ only heard this morning that your ba-
by was sick, and came over to rest You
a little. Let me carry him around a
little while; l am sure your arms must
acne uuir.,
And without waiting fora reply. she
took the baby, who was 50 surprised to
see the lovely face bending over him
that he fogot TO cry. saos
lie is not sick SAID the mother, try
ing har,l TO keep back the tears; he has
frctted like that ever since ne was born
| feel sometimes as il could not bear
it any longer. was awake halt the night
with him; and now it is nearly time TO
get dinner, and my breakfast-table not
cleared, nor bit of work done. be.
lieve he tries to keep awake
why don't you try letting him cryP'
Il have TO, sometimes; but he cries
80 hard, | am afraid he will have
spasm.'
We'll, trust him with me little while
and Laura began walking up and down
tie room, singing low lullaby, while
tue little woman picked up playthings,
brushed the hearth. and made the room
look more cheerful then she went out
to her break fast-table.
a half-hour's singing and walking be.
fore the little one was ready for his era
die; then Laura nodded gOod-by to her
neighbor, who was busily preparing dim
ner. and got in return such look OF
heartfelt thanks, that she went home
with new feeling in her heart.
1T was such ittl lie thing to do and
yet have made somebody happier. |
have been of some use. Poor thing.
should think she would be utterly dis
couragedr
And forthwith there was slight
change in the resolution she had formed
that morning. 1t now read, i will new
er marry n widower, q doctor, or poor
man Then she laughed softly to her.
self rs she thought what Aunt Prue
would say.
The next morning the sun shone, and
Laura, TO everybody's establishment, APP
peared at the hreakfast-table and an
nounced her intention OF surprising her
lazy pony by going for drive. Every
body else was busy, so she started alone.
But just as she was gathering MP the
rcins wistful little face peered through
the fence in the next yard.
i say you've got jolly pony
Would you like TO 90 with me, Char
lie?
My name is Tommy Blake. I'll bet
like to 9oe and susie, too
Wen run and ask mamma.
In q few minutes the happy little ones
were in beside hcr-Susie cinging tim
idly to her skirts; while Tommy stood
boldly up III front, whip il hana ready
TO stir mp the pony.
1t will be such rest for me they are
so full OF mischief said Mrs. Blake, o.
she put them in, and again the thankful
look went down into Lauras heart, and
made the morning very happy one.
IL was one OF those early spring days,
when everything seemed delightful n
ter the long, cold winter. The pony
felt lively, and so did the children.
Tommy in particular, was inclined to be
rather more communicative about home
matters than Laura desired
Papa is cross sometimes when din
ncr isn't ready. and says bad words,
then mama cries. Dinner was ready
yesterday, though, cause YOU helped
WHO'S coming, Tommy said Laura,
anxious TO change the subject.
Hello, that's tho doctor ! know him.
He sewed up my head when fell down
stairs; and he waved his hat at that
gentleman, who was looking with sur
prise at the phHton and its occu-
pants.
Laura fanced his bow was trAe less
cool than usual, and thought angrily,
I'll never take them again. lie thinks
| am following his advice, and | won't
CRAFTY him
He thought There is more in that
girl than l supposed ! really wish she
would cultivate Mrs. Blake the little
woman sadly needs a helping hand
then he straight-way banished the beau
tifui Miss Lamont from his mind. and
commenced planning his new treatise on
diphlhoria.
The lovely spring days followed each
other in rapid succession, and every day.
Loura's pony carried It's happy load out
into the country roads where tic air
was The pure5J. Sometimes the little
mother and the baby wont, & it was sur.
Prising to sec what change came over
them all. The rich color came into
Laura's cheeks, and she no longer COM
planned Of headache or blues
Cheerful companionship aud n little
leisure made Mrs. Blake bright eyed and
interesting, while aunt Prue found some
old fashioned remedy for colo that made
the baby sleep at nights, and Laura help.
Cd her in many little way3 that gave
her time 70 rest and improve herself.
The quiet parties before Easter, where
Laura frequently met Dr.. Thorne, z ave
place TO those OF a livel.cT tendency that
nc seldom frequented; Tor. although o
social man, he had reached that age
whcndancing and Irritation had lost their
charm