The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-12-08
MISCELLANY.
AN ADOPTED CHILD.

AN h0O[4 III CdiLD.
-
Mr.. John Falconer was walking slowly
towards his pretty little cottage one after
noon in Autumn. He Was the head gardener
OF Warren Hall, a beautiful estate, situated a
few miles from the picturesque village Of
Waverdale.l A tall, fine, upright man of
forty,five, with a, pleasant face and honest,
gray eyes, John Falconer was favorite at
the Hall.
He had known It's owner, Mr.. Lionel War
rem, from a boy. The young heir had been
very fond Of John, making him his compan-
ion, and treating him almost as all equal. -
When they both grew up to be fine, hand
some men, however, the intimacy dropped.
Young Lionel, on the death of his father,
took possession of the estate, and when John
applied to him for the post ofunder. gardener,
he was Immediately appointed to It,
A few years passed away. Mr.. Warren,
who had gone abroad, returned, bringing with
him little son to gladden. his home. He had
siffssff fesBIa|ian lady whAsa. a n shortly
longer able to SGai sight Of that bSrrig1i
his young wife, Mr.. Warren, now a grave,
sad man, came back to his home.
Z More years passed away, and little Regi-
nald was now nine years of age.
Though John Falconer was now head
gardener, and lived in pretty cottage on the
estate, he was still unmarried.
So on this bright afternoon he was walking
homeward after his days work. He had
turned the corner Of the quiet lane which led
to the house, when he nearly stumbled over a
tiny child, who stood crying in tho middle Of
the road.
She was about five years Of age. A slender
little thing, with beautiful dark eyes and
raven ourls, clad in a tattered calico frock.
"Who are you. little one ?" asked John.
"Pm Eyy Gray" she replied, in sweet
voice.
9 Where do you live, dear?"
The tears rolled down her pale cheeks.
al don't live anywhere. Mothers dead. -
She died a long time ago, and auntie took me-
We lived in London, but aunte came here to
sell things. She's gone away to day, and she
beat me and left me here. Oh, what shall I
dop"
The poor little thing sobbed SO bitterly that
Johns benevolent heart was touched as he
looked at the lovely, tear-stained face. He
took the tiny hand in his, and led her towards
his home.
Where are you taking me?" asked the
child.
.To my house, Evy. Here it is"
Evy gazed in awe at the ivy colored cottage,
with it's strip Of bright garden and pretty.
green porch.
She hardly dared to walk over the clean
floor of the cosy kitchen, where the fire was
burning brightly, and where rosy servant
girl was toasting mullins for her masters tea.
Susan looked at the child with wondering
eyes. and was still more astonished when John
babe her wash the little thing, and make her
presentabIe.
Evy looked like another child after her
bath. Her cheeks grew rosy, her eyes bright,
while her long hair fell in curls over her
shoulders. John wrapped a shawl around
her, and placed her in chair by the fire,
with bowl Of bread and milk on her lap
Then Susan, who always went home at night,
was dismissed. and the two were left alone.
How the child enjoyed her nice supper, and
her cosy seat by the fire The little tongue
chartered necessarily, until at last she fell
asleep in her chair.
John Falconer gazed at the pretty face of
the sleeping child, until the tears stood III bis;
then be said
"My poor birdie You have no homo or
friends, my pretty one. but will be your
friend, and, as long as live, my home shall
be yours"
And John Falconer kept his word. No
one claimed little Evy, SO he adopted her as
his own child He sent her to an excellent
school, and worked hard to gain money for
her sake.
Master Reggie, from the hall, took a great
fancy to Eveline, and they became great
friends. Mr.. Warren encouraged the inti-
macy, because it pleased his idolized son and
Evy was always welcome at the hall. Sc
time went on. Reggie grew to be a handsome
youth Of twenty ono, and Evy beautiful