The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-10-29
ssANNA'S FONDLIN,."

stANNA'S FONDLIN,."
Il THINK I'll leave her asleep here
it is so cool and pleasant, and I'll hear
her if she cries. She's sure to sleep
two hours, she always does-dear little
rosebud! There never was baby like
her!' So baby's carriage was left on
the front piazza with baby lying fast
asleep in it.
Young Mrs. Hall stood moment at
the door before going to her room, and
congratulated herself at being nearly
settled, for they had just moved to
the village. 81 will rest for fifteen
minutes. and then dress for papa, and
come down here to sit by baby till she
wakes
Two hours later the young mother
woke with start from the sound sleep
into which she had fallen. "My babyr'
was her first thought, ''but she must
be asleep, or I would have heard her."
Not a moment was lost, for though she
would not acknowledge it to herself.
Mrs. Hall was very uneasy. Down she
ran, saying, to reassure herself. ''What
a nervous little woman l am! One
would think this was my first baby
instead of my third" AS she stepped
out on the piazza it felt empty and
deserted. and-where was the carriage?
She ran around to the kitchen
Bridget had heard her darling and
taken her, carriage and all "Give me
the baby. Bridget" she called, "rm
ready for her. -
"The baby, mum! Shure, I've niver
heard a sound of her but wanst this
afternoon! She was crying pretty hard,
but my hands was in the dough, and
I heard you wheel her on the front
piazza, and then she was quite quiet"
Mrs. Hall sank down on the steps.
80, Bridget, it was not me! Baby is
gone!''
ooh. shure you're fuling, mum!
Who'd take the baby?''
The poor mother could only burst
into tears; then with feeling that
something must be done, she sent
Bridget on one side and she went the
other, to ask the neighbors if they had
seen any one taking the baby of. But
every one had been sitting with closed
blinds or sleeping, and not one had
heard or seen the darling. Poor little
mother! 1t seemed impossible to meet
her husband and the two boys, who
were coming home that night after q
long visit at grandmamma's.
How the time went by Mrs. Hall never
knew, till John and the boys came and
heard the dreadful tidings.
depend upon it, you'll get her
back" said John, hoping no one would
be so foolish as to mention Charlie Ross
just then. IF she were older it would
be different, but she'll cry and raise q
row, and they'll bring her back. I'll
have posters all over the village before
nine O'clock, and wen find her before
morning."
Up and down the street all were talk
ing on the same subject. "Those new
people, you know, that have moved into
the Kirby cottage. They've lost their
babyr'
''Why, shocking! How did, it
happene''
"Left it on the front piazza!'
"Well! Who ever thought" etc.,
etc.
The Halls might have lived for years
in the village with hardly friend, for
it was noted as place where strangers
were treated in anything but a cordial
manner. but her sorrow and agony drew
out every ones tenderness, and each
tried to comfort and help find the little
one. But-what comfort could one
give?
81 would so much rather she had
died., moaned the poor mother.
"Don say that, Nellie" said her
husband. 81 can't feel quite desper-
ate. She's such cunning little morsel
somebody that was baby-hungry has
kept her awhile; but Wen get her back,
please God, safe and sound"
CHAPTER II.
eff only we had baby-dolls amt
any good. they're such make-believesr'
and Ella dragged her beloved Susy Ann
by one arm through the dust as if she
despised her.
'.And we could wheel baby in q
carriage Pshaw! there's plenty of ba-
bies that haven't any mothers. Ma
might get one of EN-"