The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-03-15
Stealing a BABY.

open and shut, and it must cry beauti-
full, and be every bit as big as real live
baby!"
And little Patty Gordon pulled at Mr..
Matthew Redfeld's coat-tails, as he
was going down the steps, to make him
stop and listen.
"Yes, yes, dear; I'll be sure to remem-
Der, said the gentleman, little impa-
tiently.
He was rather gloomy and severe
elderly gentleman, and he was not very
fond Of children, generally; indeed; he
was not very fond of but one person in
the world, people who knew him said
and that was his daughter, and he didn't
love her we'll enough to forgive her
when she ran away and married a poor
young man to whom he had forbidden
her to speak. But Patty had a way of
getting on the right side of everybody;
she was bright, bonny little woman,
and as sly coquette as if she had been
eighteen instead of eight. Still, if it had
not been for her yellow hair and black
eyes, doubt if Mr., Matthew Redfield
would have opened his heart to her as he
did. For his lost daughter had yellow
hair and black eyes, and it is rather I'M
common to see them together, you know.
II want a great big crying baby, in
CRADLE" she said. II don't want any
more dressed-up, fine. lady dolls, because
the fashions change so that they look
awful dowdy in little while. Dulci-
bella's waterfall is great deal too high
for the fashion now, and her best silk
dress, that she had on when she was
bought, has got just plain skirt, with
out a bit of psnier. But Ia crying baby
isn't expected to be in the fashion," You
see, Patty, like Mrs. John Gilpin, had q
prudent mind"
The first thing Mr.. Redfeld did that
morning was to go in search of the larg-
est "crying baby" in the city, for fear he
should forget it if he waited until night;
he knew he needn't expect any mercy
from Patty if he should forget it. He
found one that answered Patty's descrip-
ton without any difficulty, but to
find a cradle for it was not so easy.
1--WE make lots of dolls cradles" the
storekeeper said, "but we never made
one large enough for that doll. Why. it
is as large as a baby. But then we don't
make babies cradles small enough for it,
because babies grow, you know. But we
can make you one just to fit it, in little
while"
He left an order for the prettiest, most
fanciful little cradle that could be made.
Then he went about his business until it
was time to go home. He was tired then,
and grumbled little, inwardly, as he
thought how far out of his way he had
TO go, and was almost sorry he had ever
let Patty's yellow curls dance their way
into his heart.
He called carriage and ordered the
driver to carry him to a store in the
little back street, where he had left the
doll. There the doll was already, apd it
fitted to a charm. The proprietor was
talking to lady and gentleman at the
extreme end of the store, and Mr.. Red
field did not wait to see him, but gave
the money for the cradle-the proprietor
had told him, in the morning, how much
it would be-to clerk who came to him
Just then, took the cradle in his arms and
carried it out to his carriage.
He put it on the seat opposite him,
then was driven rapidly toward his
boarding house.
Patty came running to meet him as he
opened the door with his precious bur-
den in his arms.
80, o, o! you have got big one
the biggest one ever saw" she cried,
jumping and hopping and clapping her
hands, like little crazy girl. She tried
to take it, cradle and all, out of his
hands, but it was too heavy for her, and
Mr.. Redtield carried it into the parlor,
and placed it on the floor.
80, what beauty of a cloak! And
you're sure it'll cry?" said Patty. And
1T that moment q little, startled cry came
from the occupant of the cradle, and the
little rosy face that had been hall
hidden in the satin cushion revealed it.
self.
"Or cried Patty, sits truly babyr
Mr.. Redtield stood aghast as the baby
opened its dark eyes and looked at him
Patty took off its cap, and there were
little rings OF yellow hair, clustering
over the head.
81 never thought of your bringing me
live baby!" said Patty. but l like i,
ever so much better than doll. 1t has
got yellow hair, just like mine, and it is
such tiny, little bit of baby, and SC
pretty! don't just know how to take
care of it, she added, her face growing
grave, as the baby, surprised at the
strange faces, began to cry with all its
small might, "but l guess mamma will
show me-"
my dear child, didn't get it for you
i can't imagine how it came therel
must carry it back to the store!' said Mr..
Redfield. ut is the strangest thing I
ever heard OFF, And he still stared in an
amazed, bewildered way at it,
T. I.