The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-08-23
Adopting Grandpa.

An old man-not ragged, but clad In
old and faded and time-worn garments,
and moving with feeble steps and
weary air-sat down under tree on
John r. street the other day to rest
BIT. Three or four children were play
ing in the yard at his back, and directly
mite of d girl looked through the
fence and asked:
"Would you hurt little girlP"
'Bless me; no!'' he replied. "Why,
I'd even step aside to pass a bug or a
worm! No, child, I wouldn't hurt
hair of your head for all the money in
the world"
"Are you anybody's grandpa?" she
inquired as the other children crowded
up.
s.No-fiot now, child. There was a
time-dear me! but it hurts my old
heart. to remember it-when children
called nae grandpa. 1t was years ago
years and years. but I can almost
hear their voices yet"
"Be you cryingP"
"N-no. The tears will spring up as
[ recall the past, but I'm not crying.
There are days WI en I can't keep 'em
| back-nights when am child, but
I'm trying to be strong just now."
sI guess I'll come out and see you.
Ny dolls broke her neck and is most
dead"
"Come right along, child! I used to
mend legs and arms and necks when
he.children brought their dolls to me. ~
The little one passed through the
gate and sat down beside the poor old
man, sHd while he sought to save the
life of the .tnlost dead'' doll by means
of stick and a strihg the child OBJ
served:
'.You must be quite old, grandpa,
you are all skin and bone"
"Old? Bless you, yes! L was eighty
one only week or two ago. Yes, I'm
poor in flesh as well as in purse"
$50 your grandchildren had dolls,
ehP''
Eyes; dear-do1ls and toys and fine
clothes and books and everything they
wanted. / was rich them"
"And did they comb YOUR hairP'
80, yes.''
"And sing to you?"
eyes"
''Well, guess I'll sing you a song,
for T. nj going to ask ma if can't adopt
you as my grandpa: You must excuse
my voice, for 1 swallowed a pin the
other day and ma expects it to work
out of my shoulder this fall. L guess
I'll sing about the three little graves
Don't look at me or shall forget"
And in voice full of childish quavers
and frequently stopping as if to swal
low some of the words she SUNG:
"Under an elm three little graves
The Years m may VI pass, but my heart will griev,
Aud sorrow will ever rest with me.
"Under the elm walked to-day,
| Hooked -"
.Why, grandpa. the tears are jus
running down your cheeksn'
|: "Y-yes, child can't help it! NJ,
poor old life Is full of graves ani
griefs!..'
SIS your wife dead?"
"Long ago, child
''And all the children?''
, "Dead or scattered. am all alone.
: ''Wen, that's funny. You can wip
your eyes on my apron, if you want to.
ssHere's your doll-good as new"
"That's nice. If 1 should adopt yol
ia keep you mending dolls all tn
time; ne Have you got over cryingP'
; "Well, then, you must be hungry
J I'm always hungry after good cry
Wait minute.
She ran into the house to return witt
a generous slice of bread and butte
and piece of meat, and as she handle,
the food to the old man she said:
:, ''Tve got to go in now, but we'll re
member that I've adopted you as m
grandpa. Don't cry any more, an
come back tomorrow. Good-by
> grandpa
. "Good-byP'
And men who passed by saw an oil
man with his face in his hands to hid
his tears, and when they asked tn
!. matter. child who stood by explained
"Why, sir, he's crying because he
all alone in the world, and little gil
! has adopted himr'- Free Pres;