The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-11-18

The child turned restessly on the miserable
straw pallet IN a corner of the small, hot
room. 1t was after midnight, and in summer,
but there was fire in the stove, for the woman
at the pine table was ironing by the light of a
glimmering talow candle
There was no breeze, but in at the one win
dow came sitting, poisonous odOrS.
Pale and faint, the mother bent over her
work, and smOothed the dark calico dress as
carefully as if it were the finest muslin and
lace. She had worked from early dawn until
dark at her daily task. button holes at four
cen S dozen. A cupof tea and crust of bread
had been her sustenance. For Dot there was
a bun and an orange.
The dress was finished and hung on the only
chair in the room, with several other small
articles. A hat of coarse white straw, with a
blue ribbon twisted around it, pair of bright
stockings, a tiny handkerchief with bit of
color in the border. All were pttifully cheap
in texture, but dear III patient toll and loving
sacrifice. Dot was going to the country for
two long, blissful weeks, and the mother could
cover the expense of the meager outfit by some
extra deprivation during the child's absence.
eyes had opened. Her golden curls were
tangled by the tossing OF the little head on the
pillow. Her thin, pinched features were
flushed with feverish excl ement-
Mamma, is it mornin'F'
''NO, darling"
The woman blew out the light and threw
herself on the pallet. Tiny fingers crept
eagerly into her palm.
Mamma, tell me more about it," pleaded
Dot
Darling, it is years and years since mamma
saw the country, but it was Just as I've told
you. Wide clean streets, with big trees and
blue sky and flowers"
80, ohn' murmured Dot. "Does you 'spose
they'll give me one flower, mamma. | found
n n a CT Wn M otani
A lady dropped it,"
Eyes, dear, you'll have all the flowers you
want. Don't talk any more tonight"
The sky was already white with the dawn
The mother did not sleep. As the light of
another day OF misery crept into the room, she
raised herself on one elbow and looked long
at her child, restraining an impulse to snatch
it to her heart, then softly rose, and af er
bathing her face and hands and kneeling in
prayer for endurance, took her work and sat
down by the narrow window. A few hours
later she stood amid the hustle of the Grand
Central Depot with Dot clingirg to her dress.
A crowd of wondering, eXpectant children
were being marshalled into line to take their
places on the eastward bound train.
Come, said the kind gentleman in charge,
to Dot.
Dot kissed her mother "good-by," and
laughed even while the tears ran down her
face, as she entered the ranks of the odd pro-
cessiOn.
80, sir" said the mother as she turned
away, take good care of my baby. I've
nothing else in the world
III.
There was an unusual stir in the village of
Lynford. The railway station was thronged
with people, and surrounded by vehicles
awaiting the afternoon train.
Rev. Joseph Alder and the ministers of
sister churches conversed together on the
platform.
"a glorious charity" said the Baptist min.
lister, raising his hat to wipe the perspiraton
from his brow.
81 expect that these poor children will be a
great blessing to our people" said the Meth
odist minister, ''in broadening the sympathes
and warming the hearts of some who have
been oblivious to all interests save their own"
yes replied Rev. Mr.. Alder, 81 have a
practical illustration of that, not a stones
throw from where we are standing.n
The "practical illustrations consisted of
the RoXbury rockaway drawn up amid the 9th
er cOnveYances, with Miss Reliance on the
back seat, in a state of mind in which newly
fedged philanthropy struggled with a terror
of ragamuflins. She had come to the conclusion
that her visi to the parsonage had been made
during an att ack of mental alteration: but the
word OF RoXbury was as immovable as the
historic granite on which Zephaniah Roxbury
stepped from the Mayhower in 1922, and the
last representative of he race would not falter
now, although seized with dire apprehension
whenever her eyes rested on the verbena bed
1t was with grim determination to brave
the worst that she awaited the train hat after
noon, hut when the locomotive aDpeared on
the bridge below the village, the thought of
the dreadful boy who was coming to invade
her peaceful domain nearly overcame her and
her impulse was to order the hired man to
drive home as quickly as possible. She could
appreciate the emotions of a Roman dame at
the approach of he Vandals.
AS the train stopped at the station the
people crowded forward to welcome their
guests Miss RoXbury peerei anXousy from
the rockaway. 1t was not very appalling
sight. group of pale lit children, tired.
dusty and bewildered. Many eyes over1owed
as the train moved on and left these wistful
faces, ninched bv want and misfortune in the
midst of the kindly villagers
Here, Miss RoXbury, is wee lamb for
you" said Mr.. Adj .
Miss ROybury h ID not observed his approach
in the crowd, and gave start of surprise as
he stood before her. As she looked, there was
curious sensation under the left side of her
Grape shawl, aud her cold gray eyes grew misty
The dreadful boy' had changed into a tinv
girl of six years, as frail as q Snowdrop, whose
coarse attire 'uld not mar the loveiness OF
her dark violet eyes and hair of tangled sun
arms o Miss Roxbury, who reached forward
aud took her into the rockaway, the ancient
springs OF which creaked with asto lshment,
'What is your nameln said Miss Roxbury,
feeling strangely awkward, as they drove
along.
DOT" said the child. ''You hasn't kissed
me yet, has youl"
Miss Roxbury bent and kissed the child The
rockaway creaked louder than before. The
touch Of the child's mouth thrilled through
the iron nerves ofthe woman with q sensation
nexpressiby delightful.
Miss RoXbury had imagined her life to be
happy one. She now discovered that she had
mistaken selfish isola ion for happiness. She
was beginning to be happy for the frs time in
fifty wears. Dot was too fred to be very
laxative, but she leaned against Miss Rox-
bury with a look Of quiet wonder and content
in her eyes
as goin' to. stay here !" she asked, as the
rockaway stopped at the Roxbury gate, and
she surveyed the old stone house with wood
bine clamoerlng over its gray walls.
eyes, child -
Dots face grew luminous. A bath, a boun-
tful supper of bread and milk and walk in
the garden kept her joyful un II twilight, but
with bedtime came the longing for her mother
" wants my mamma-my own mamma, -
she said.
Then Miss RoXbury gave full vent to the in
stinct tina can never be utterly DESTROYED in a
woman, Taking the child on her lap she
caresSed the white face and sunny curs in a
restfuL soothing way, and talked so cheerfully
that the shadows fell from the violet eyes, and
| Dot, nesting close, said 81 love YOU"
Miss RoXbury had not only begun to be
! happy; she had begun to live. With the com
| ing of this sweet child Heaven was changing