The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-02-24

later she stood amid the hustle OF the
Grand Central Depot with Dot cling
ing to her dress A crowd Of wonder
ing, 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 bye"
and laughed even while the tears
ran down her face, rs she entered the
ranks of the odd procession.
20, sirr' said the mother rs she
turned away, take good care of my
baby, I've nothing else in the
world"
There was an unusual stir in the
village of Lynford. The railway
station was tlronged with people and
surrounded by vehicles awaiting the
afternoon train.
Rev. Joseph Alder aDd the minis
| ters of sister churches conversed to-
gether on the platform.
"A glorious charityr' said the Bap-
tlst minister, raising his hat to wipe
the perspiration from his brow.
II expect that these poor children
will be a great blessing to our peo-
ple," said the Methodist minister, "in
broadening the sympathies and
warming the hearts OF some who
have been oblivious to all interests
save their own
"Yes," said Rev. Mr. Alder, Il have
a practical illustration Of that, not a
stones throw from where / am stand
ing"
The practical illustration" con
sisted of the Roxbury rockaway
drawn up amid the other convey
ances, with Miss Reliance on q back
seat in state Of mind in which
newly -Aedged philanthropy struggles
with a terror Of ragamuffins. She
had come to the conclusion that her
visit to the parsonage had been made
during an attack of mental alteration;
but the word of Roxbnry was as I'M
movable as the historic granite on
which Zephaniah Roxbury stepped
from the MayAower in 1920, and the
last representative OF the race wonld
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 that afternoon, but when the |
locomotive appeared on the bridge
below the village, the thought OF the !
dreadful boy who was coming to in
wade her peaceful DOMAIN nearly over
came her, and her impulse was to or
der the hired man to drive home as
quickly as possible. She could ap-
preciate the emotions OF a Roman
dame at the approach OF the Nandals.
tire AS ,,e"r.r eup sraln ~. ~a.a to wei
come their guests Miss Roxbury
peered anxiously from the rockaway. |
It was not veryappalling sight. A
group of pale little children, tired,
dusty and beuildered. Many eyes
overhowed as The train moved OH and !
left these wiaful faces, pinched by
want and misbrtune, in the midst OF |
the kindly villagers.
Here, Mss Roxbury, is wee
lamb for yoa," said Mr.. Adler.
Miss Rosbnry had not observed his
approach il the crowd, and gave a
start of surprise as he stood before !
her. Asshe looked there was curl
GUS senMtion under the left side OF
her crapa shawl, and her cold grey
eyes grew misty.
The dreadful boy" had changed |
into 4 tiny girl OF six years, as
fralas a snow drop, whose coarse at
tiroeould not mar the loveliness of her
daH. violet eyes and hair of tangled !
supbeams. The little creature
stretched ont her arms to Miss Rox
brry, who reached forward and took |
hr into the rockaway, the ancient
springs Of which creaked with aston
lshment.
What is your name," said Miss
Roxbury, feeling strangely awkward,
as they drove along.
Dot" said the child. You hasn't |
kissed me yet, has you"
Miss Roxbury bent and kissed the
child. The rockaway creaked louder
than before The touch OF the childs
mouth thrilled through the iron
nerves of the woman with sensation
nexpressibly delightful.
Miss Roxbury had imagined her
life to be happy one. She now dis
covered that she had mistaken selfish
isolation for happiness. She was
beginning to be happy for the first
time in fifty years. Dot was too tired
to be very talkative, but she leaned
against Miss Roxbury with look of
quiet wonder and content in her
eyes.
''Is I going to stay herew she ask
ell, as the rockaway stopped at the
Roxbury gate, and she surveyed the
old stone house with the woodbine
clambering over its gray walls.
ayes, child"
Dots face grew luminous. A bath,
a bountiful supper of bread and milk
ahd walk in the garden kept her joy
ful until twilight, but with bedtime
came the longing for her mother.
IL wants my mamma-my own
mamma" she said.
Then Miss Roxbury gave vent to
the instinct that can never be utter
ly destroyed in woman. Taking
the child in her lap she caressed the
white face and sunny curls in rest
ful, soothing way, and talked so
cheerfully that the shadows fell from
the violet eyes, and Dot, nesting
close. said. ~ love yOu."
Miss Roxbury had not only begun
to be happy; she had begun to live.
With the coming OF this sweet child