The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-07-24
in the meantime, you could be induced

in the meantime, you could be induced |
to give my children home"
"Oh, dear, no." said Miss Peck. ~
never could get along with pack Of chill
dreh! dare say you could find some
half orphan asylum or place of that sort,
by inquiring a little"
glared so frightfully out of lii Git blue
eyes at the deacon, that he was fain to
beat retreat as soon as possible.
He knocked next at the widow CLAMPS
door. A slipshcd servant-maid opened
it.
lis Mrs. Clapp at home?" he asked.
A head was thrust over the stair rail-
ing and the widows shrill voice cried
out:
SIS that Josiah Grinder, with his
swarm O. young ones! Tell him I am
particular engaged. Do you hear, Bet
particular"
Miss Barbara Bowyer was arranging
trimmed hats and rolls of bright colored
ribbons in her bow window as the dca-
con and his little ones entered the shop.
"Miss Bowyer," said the deacon, "you
were evcra genial and charitable soul.
It is to you that trust to make home
for my mothcrlcss little ones, while en-
deavor to retrieve my fortunes in the far
| West"
| II couldn't thing of such Il thing"
said Miss Barbara, droppinga box of ar
tificial flowers in her CONSERVATION. And
really think, Deacon Grinder, you
haven't any business to expect it Of nc !!
It's all I can do to support myself, let
alone pack of unruly children! 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.
"Wcll:" said Miss Bowycr with toss
of her head, ''you needn't fly into rage
because a neighbor offers you bit of
good advicc!'
But Naomi Poole ran out to the little
garden gate, as the forlo1n deacon went
by.
"Dcacon Grinder" hesitated she, turn
ing rosc-red and white by turns, ''is this
truce"
"A'out my Mariposa investment?
Yes"
"And that you arc going to California;?
II am talking of it" said the deacon.
"Would-could you let me take care OF
the little ones while you arc gomez said
} Noami, tcndcrly drawing little Dolly tc
her side. II am very fond Of children,
and would take the best care of them
/ And you have been SO kind to mother and
; me, Deacon Grinder, that We should fee
it privilege to be able to do something
for you"
. And poor soit-hcartcd little Naom
burst into crying.
There was moisture ON the deacon!
eyelashes. too.
"God bless you, Naomi' aaid he, "Yo,
, are good giri-a very good girl
"Ain't it truc?' said Philcna Peck
, 'Wcll," said Mrs. Mopslcy, lit is, ant
amt. Tic did lose what he invested i,
: them Mariposa mines, but it was only ;
thousand dollars; and the rest of his mon
y ey's all tight and safe in United State
bonds and solid real estate.
!, "Blcss mc!' said Barbara Bowycr.
n "Wcll, l ncvcrr' said the widow Clapp
with discounted countcnancc.
;, "And, wcnton Mrs. Mopsley with cvi
o dent relish in the CONSERVATION she wa
il causing, ''thcy are building a new wing I
v the house, and he is to be married to Mao
Il mi Poole in the fall
c "a child like that!' said Mrs. Clapr
with no experience whatcvcr" sal
It Barbara Bowycr, scornfully.
III only hope he won't repent OF hi
J. bargain" sighed Miss Philcna Peck.
) And Miss Philena's charitable hope
) were fulfilled. The deacon never did re
pent Of his bargain.