Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-10-28
THE LITTLE WAIF.


Bronson we're near neighbors, and, as ia
cob was a bachelor and Adele was a wild
ow, and both were about of an age, many
thought it a little surprising they cid not
marry; others thought it would be still
more surprising if they did, as Jacob was
IN their opinion, confirmed bachelor. To
be sure he was yet in the forties, and look
ed younger than many Others of his age,
bat his habits and tastes were those of a
recluse, and the solemn, morose, old house.
death of mis- mother, ten years before, was
calculated TO repress rather than encour
age any attempt at sociability.
He was we'll aware that his neighbor.
the bright. cheerful little widow, was quite
the opposite of that old ogre, and the mo-
ments he had passed in her company be
recalled as pleasant ones, still he would
never put himself out Of the way in the
least to meet her. Once or twice he had
overtaken her in a rain-storm, and offered
her the greater share of his umbrella, and
they had enjoyed a chat, the abrupt ending
of which. as they reached her gate, he
greatly regretted. Indeed, to have contin-
ued walking in the rain all day in such
companionship would have been agreeable
TO him. But he went home and settled
down in the same old routine to which he
had been so long accustomed, and the wild
ow kept along in her own cheerful course,
Delther seeking the favor of the other. He
passed her house daily. and sometimes
to each other the same as other acqnaint
ances, but seldom exchanged word; and
if any one had limited to either that they
would one day become intimately acquaint
ed, the possibility Of such a thing would
have been denied. But in spite of Their
incredullty. such state of affairs was
brought about in the following way: One
day terrible railroad accident occurred
IN the city, caused by the engine Of one
train running into the rear car of another.
and killing and mangling thirty or forty
persons. Jacob happened to be near by at
the time, and made himself very useful in
caring for the unfortunate. In the midst
of all lovely babe was thrust into his
arms, and there 1t chung about his neck
with tenacity that compelled him to
care for it. The train man said that it
belonged to lady and gentleman who
then lay dead at their feet. The sight of
the mangled bodies of the parents and the
helpless little creature hat had seemingly
oonoo fo hin, for protootion amaEopcd hio
sympathy, and he believed it his duty to
do all he could for it.
81 will take it right home, - he said, and
leave it with my hcusekeeper until can
hire some one to come into the house and
take care of it..
So he walked home with the babe in his
arms, rather a curious proceeding for a
bachelor, he thought, and, when he reach
ed the door, his housekeeper met him with
anything but pleasant greeting.
: II shall not take care of that little
brat," she said, "nor could live in the
house with its squalling; so you had bet
ter take it, Mr.. Jacobs, over to Mrs. Bron-
son; she has nothing in particular to do.
Here was dilemma. He could not bear
to see the child suffer. nor for few min
utes did he think money could hire him to
take 1t over to the widow. But he was in
hurry to 60 back to the scene of the
wreck, so he did as he was advised, asking
her to take it in charge until he could find
some one who wanted it, and whom he
would pay literally for caring for it.
Mrs. Bronson assured him she would be
delighted to take it. She had thought
sometime of adopting child, andher only
fear was, in this case, that afttr she be-
came greatly attached to it some one would
claim it.
Mr.. Jacobs was quite pleased to find so
good harbor for the little stranger, still
he did not like the idea of giving it up en-
tirely. He was conscious that he had
conceived something of liking for it IN
the few moments its little arms had chung
80 lovingly about his neck; so he said,
with blush and the faintest attempt at a
laugh, II do not know, Mrs. Bronson as
can quite renounce my claim"
swell, you have really the best right to
it of any one," said MRS Bronson, land
you may claim just as large share as you
choose" Whereupon the child reached
out its little arms to him, with look
which seemed to say, 'And it stall not be
very small share either"
"How old child should you call it p