Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-02-13
GaItsa us SkslfRts.



Of The nearer. A live baby from the
Kings own land dropped into the lap Of
humanity! What . picture the words
conjured up Of fat, dimpled fists, son curls
and pink toes, all in heap, and done up
In dainty embroideries. Wonder If they
make dresses up there, and how can they
it such . squirming little thing! Such
thoughts ran through the brain Of Mrs.
Renssel aer's little son, Frank, as she leaned
over the gate and talked with her neigh
Dor of the baby over the way. II there
was anything in the world that Frank par
ticularly desired it was baby; other
boys had dear little baby sisters To uot
around with cunning little wagons to
pull. A baby In the house, wouldn't it
be nice? And the very best thing, next
to having baby in his mothers house. was
to have It in Mrs. Shepherds house, such
dear friend she was to them all! And
she lived Just over the way. Every day
he went TO school he passed the house, he
could stop for minute any time. and
perhaps he could borrow the baby Satur-
days. That was bright idea! and rum
ming over to Mrs. Shepherds he met the
urSe In the hall.
MAY l see It ?" he asked.
THE baby ?" tmiling down to the lad.
Mother said there was baby over
here. came purpose
well. you shall see it," opening the
door of pretty room. Take that little
chalr." she said, closing the door behind
her.
But It's the baby" with trine of i'm
patience in his voice.
II know" lifting something In her arms
and cuddling it up as though It was very
precious thing.
"Is It the baby?" he asked.
1.-THE baby; yes, and such little dear"
her good. motherly face frightened into
smiles.
Franks eyes enlarged. There was
reverence mingled with surprise.
"Bald-headed! Thought it was new"
he said. MAKE 1t open its eyes, won't
youa'
ut Is asleep; the baby sleeps good
deal now p''
III YOU please. I'd like to borrow her
for my mother. will bring her back"
reaching up his arms for the priceless
creature.
''She's such little squirming thing,
am little afraid to send her away from
home," said the nurse.
s'She does make up awful faces. won
der how she learned to do that" lifting
his eyes 10 the motherly face. What's
her name, anyway"
"Fidelia."
..Whew! big name for such little
wriggling thing. When we have her
we'll call her Della it's easier"
Eyes, Della will be pretty name, and
you shall have her one of these days"
smiled the nurse.
"She's not just as thought she would
be; want hair on her head, and want
her to look up and laugh when draw her
in my wagon.
.She'll do that some time. Run home
now, and tell mother" said the nurse.
I'D like to kiss her. II you please, :"
holding up his lips. Ugh! what q face !;
she didn't like it bit.'
That's because she's so little" laughed
the nurse.
Frank ran home, feeling that he had
now a certain claim on Mrs. Shepherds
baby. He could 60 and see her, and he
could borrow her.
''It won't so much matter II we haven't
baby" he said TO his mother. MRS.
Shepherds baby is a nice little thing, and
it's part mine. Won't you be glad ?"
OF course the mother was glad. with
out comprehending just what it all meant.
Frank was home child; he loved his
mother. 'But there is not enough of Us, V
he would say. Added to- his home quail
ties, he was an artist. Give him pencil
and sheet of cardboard, and ship or a
schooner would soon appear. 1t was won
derfhl TO note the exactness OF his rigging,
the mast and spsrs and yardarms. Pe0-
pie frequently remarked that his inclina-
tons would be for a seafaring life. He
could make o ship as well as draw one,
aud one of the ornaments of his mothers
room was q brig that he had fashioned
and hung with sails, and sent to sea in a
washtub.
Della had her presents, and rs soon as
she was big enough to be borrowed, he
had her in his little wagon travelling up
and down the pavement. Once he took
her to the circus. leaving his wagon out
side the tent and taking her in his arms,
greatly to the delight of the child. who
crowed and laughed and was not above
accepting . stick of candy from the clown.
The next day Frank had his establish
ment with trapeze attachment, without
the life-savipg net, Of which he never
dreamed. The last effort was to walk q
tight rope, he came down with thud that
laid the young man up for couple Of
WeekS, anu 2ave MN ample tifue 10 stuuN
up another character. viz: a seaman.
This last idea, which WAS in reality the
first, took thorough possession OF him.
Years strengthened it. He must 60 to
SEQ. Mrs. Rensselaer, was in tears. 1t
was absurd. He must give it up. He
could not take Della with him. she urged.
He could not be persuaded, however.
The neighbors said he was old enough to
be allowed to follow his inclination in the
choice Of his life work, and thus his moth.
erwas made 10 yield feeble assent. |,
was hard thing to say good-by! Delis
was inconsolable, going to bed without
her supper. and crying herself to sleep.
The next day she was comforted by being
permitted to sail the little ship and to fancy
that Frank was the commander
Years passed. The young seaman. beat.
ing about, had varied experience; once
under punishment for some frivolous of.
tense, he was ordered to dizzy height.
It was bitter cold and drizsling rain had
made the ropes slippery. The lad fell,
fortunately catching line and swinging
far out over the sea, and then with . Vi
bratory motion seizing brace and once
more standing on deck. only to Be ordered