Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-12-24

a whimper, but looked up and smiled and
a.gooed at the little mother, as much rs to
say, "Well, here am What are you going
to do about it -
shall l take the child to the Station
House p inquired Rich.
Mamma MerrywoathcI shuddered.
''Not tonight, Rich-not to night in this
bitter storm Isn't she sweet See! her
eyes are the same heavenly blue that our Dai-
sy's were. Rich, dear, isn't she like Daisy
and Just about as old AS she was when she
died. Oh, Rich" Mamma Merryweather
gave one sob for the little form over whose
grave this wintry storm was drifting; then
jumping up she laid the tiny stranger in his
unresstng arms, while she warmedsom milk
and broke white bread into Daisy's bowl.
Not bit afraid of moustache or heavy
beard was the little one, nor yet Of the
gloomy eyes above them; but she stretched
up her dimpled hands, and before the good
man thought what trap he was laying for
himself he had lifted her to his shoulder and
her fingers were twisted in his hair, and for
one rapturous moment it seemed that he held
his own once more
Mamma Merryweather came with the bread
and milk and sat upon the arm of the chair,
and between the two the little one was fed.
In the midst of the meal she dropped asleep,
with smile IN her lips and the tiny fingers
of one hand clasped tight around Papa Merry
woather's thumb.
"Kitty, take this schildaway, he said gruffiy
"Where would you put her to sleepS That
basket isn't fit, Rich it is damp"
"l'll go up stairs, if you say so, and get
| Daisys crib
The little mother nodded and smiled. As
soon as be was out Of sight she wiped away a
| few tears that for the world she would not he
! should see.
How tenderly the stranger babe was laid
upon that cot il is not for Inc to tell nor how
| Mamma Merryweather stood beside it in tie
wee bedroom and shed another tear or two,
while Rich, bracing himself III his chair
waited for her to come back. But when, at
| length, she came, she brought with her q
small book and instead Of resuming work on
the neglected little breeches, she drew the
stool close up TO Rich's chair, and began turn
| ing the leaves.
Seeing that somebody must speak first
"Well, Kitty, what is to be done = queriod
the man of the house.
No answer.
"Iwsh the thing hadn't happened There's
only one way out of it that see"
No reply.
II shall have to take that child to the city
authorities"
Still not word from Kitty.
They will put her into the almshouse, OF
some home for foundlings, and she will be
cared for after fashion, / suppose If We
were only rich-well--it would be different
but-Kitty Why don't you speak p
Thus implored, Mamma Merryweather said,
tenderly, LET us keep the baby l want her,
Rich We wanted Daisy-how it broke oul
hearts to part with her, dear :" and then Civ.
ing no space for reply, she read from the lit
tie book:
| 81 IL l,1,,,,l . for,L L.s Gr.t Ior,, cor,
and wrapped him in swadding clothes, and
aud laid him in manger, because hor6 ird'
ne room far them at the inn"
Rich bowed his head upon his hand, and
the little mother added softly:
For the sake Of that heavenly Babe, LEI
US keep the gift he has sent us this blessed
Christmas Eve ,"-BostOn Journal