The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-02-17


into the doctors eyes as he approached,
with innocent, wondering looks.
II give her the drops alta O'clock" said
the old woman, "and she amt made no fuss
since. 1 wouldn't disturb her, cause there
amt nothin so refreshin' for sick folks as
sleep" ~ I:
"Sleep!" echoed Dr. Tracy, bending to
examine the averted face; my good soul
she's dead!
"Dead!' shrieked the. old woman rush
ing across the foor-''dead! Come away,
child, quick"
The little creature slid to the ground with
composure strangely at variance with he1
age, and stood alternately .eying her COM
panions.
81 hope, doctor, you'll see I don't lose
nothin' by the expense I've been to, whined
Mrs. Hopper. "I'm a lone wilder woman,
and"
"And the biggest happy in the country!'
added DR.. Tracy II knew that when I had
this poor creature brought here when
found her dying by the roadside night be-
fore last; but couldn't very we'll help my
self. Don't be alarmed, Mrs. Hopper; you
shall not he sufferer. But aboutthe little
girl; really don't know what to do"
He hesitated an instant, mechanically
smoothing the tleecy, yellow curls Of the
little girl.
Il suppose" he said, nodding toward the
bed, "she left no money or valuables Of any
kind?"
mot bit of it, sir, for
But the child stepped forward, fragile
bit of thing, but erect and resolute.
what did you do with that little bag
L., ,44 No. Ot1,o c1y Il
~'Bag?" stammered the COMPOUNDED wo-
man.
Eyes you took it off her neck last night
when you thought was asleep
1.-The child is dreaming said Mrs. Hop
per, turning red and white.
''But do not think she u.s." said the doc
tor, quietly and firmly. "Give her the bag
Mrs. Hopper"
II never see no bag, as sure rs I live
and breathe!" asserted the woman; but DR..
Tracys quick eye followed the direction of
her wandering glance. He stepped across
the room, and removed the cushion of the
stool; beneath it lay small, red, leather
bag. drawn up by furnished gilt cord. -:
''That is my bag" said the child, holding
out her small hand.
eyes, but had + not better keep it for
you? And, little one, perhaps shall take
you home with me tonight. It is not we'll
that you should stay i'll the house with
DEATH"
II AM not afraid of DEATH" said the child,
gravely. II saw my uncle Paola die. "
"Who?' demanded DR.. Tracy, turning
suddenly around.
my Uncle Paola.'
And what is your name?"
Bertha Petroni."
DR.. Tracy's heart seemed to stand still
= :@Come here, my child,''' he said, in a
hemulous voice. ''Wlo was this woman
that lies dead here?"
My nurse, Nina"
''And how did she come here?"
A puzzled expression came over the
grave little girl.
III don't know, sir; she came to look for
some one-I don't know who"
How old are you, Bertha?"
- II am 8 years DID," "..
it contained yellow letter, worn through
all the edges, and signed Helen Petroni, -
a slender chain Of gold, and tiny ring set
with turquoises. He closed it again, feel
ing like one who has unexpectedly encoun-
tered some rare, long lost treasure.
= "Come little Bertha, shall take you home
with me, said he rising.
She put her hand in his with q simple
trust that brought the involuntary tears to
his eyes, and then drove away, leaving Mrs.
Hopper muttering and grooming on the
threshold.
"Child, he said, breaking the long, OPP
pressive silence when they were about half
way home, you are an orphan"
Eyes" said little Bertha, simply.
''Do you remember nothing of your
mamma" repeated the child, vaguely.
my nlamma-no; I never had a mammal"
''Wouldn't You like to have one?'''
~''I-don't- know, hesitated Bertha. II
don't know how it would seem to have one."
IT was intensely dark when they drove up
to the doctors house, but the lights shown
like cheerful beacons, and Helen was in the
hall to greet him. $50 + !
ttMy love-" he said, standing on the
threshold, II have brought you little;
daughter to love and cherish-some one to
fill the lost Bertha's place."
As he led the fair haired child forward,
Helen gazed wildly at her for moment,
and then burst into wild, glad cry
. ::Bertha !,my own little Bertha!"
D., The mothers instinct had triumphed
over all those long, long years Of separation;
ana In the Clny embrace CHtt enIOIueQ ler
tiny form poor little Bertha Petroni first
learned .@thow it would SEEM to have
mother.
= ''Wen,' said DR.: Tracy smiling through
a dimness in his sight, IF were an infdel,
I might say fate had done this. AS I am
not, will venture to assert that the hand of
Providence has led us most miraculously
through this long labyrinth of years.
Cleansing Gold Coin.
From the London Telegraph.
Lord Palmerston defined dirt as merely