The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-05-01

Mary"
'EThey won't kill it, will theyp''
asked Mrs. Weatherby, in a horrified
tone.
''Well, no, wife; that's against the
law. But they'll take it where such
waves Che meant waifs) belong. If
you ain t afraid to stay alone I'll run
! out to the next corner and fetch one.''
When the Captain returned with the
policeman he had to stop to explain the
exact spot where they found the basket.
how the bell had rung, etc., and so it
was a half-hour or more before thew rot
into the back parIor There Mrs.
Weatherby sat with the object rolled up
in table cloth, lying in her lap and
basking contentedly in the rays of the
fire.
Here we are," said the Captain, in
a brisk tone. ''Now, Mr.. Policeman,
you can take the youngster off in the
basket it come in, can't you?'
'It's nice boy" said the police
man, looking down on the tiny head
| basking in the freight.
Girl corrected Mrs. Weatherby.
81 tell you what, Silas, think l had
better keep the baby till the mornin'.
1t don't seem exactly Christian to let it
go out in the cold to night again"
"That'll suit me- said the police
man. ''It's good bit from here to the
Foundlin's', and it do seem at home,
sir"
Very foolish, very foolish, Mary;
but have it your own way; only don't
let me be disturbed with it's erwin,
that's ALL said the Captain. as he
peeped over shyly and stole look at
/ the ''wave y
The next morning at ten o'clock the
policeman was on hand for that baby
''Now isn't it too bad said Mrs.
| Weatherby, 'but the fact is it ain t
ready" and she slipped some money in
the mans hand for his trouble. 81 M
going to look over some things | have
put away, said the poor little mother,
land give it some decent clothes to
wear. Would it be too much trouble
to ask you to come for it this even
ing?"
Certainly not, ma am" said the Off
Ger. As he went out Captain Weather
by looked up from his paper and winked
at him. The officer winked back and
looked very knowingly at Mrs.
Weatherby.
Such running and rummaging as
there was in that house all day! and by
night the baby had quite an extensive
wardrobe ready; dressed cut in the lit
tie tucked and embroidered baby-gown
that had been brought out and done up
for it, from the stock that once had
belonged to those other babies who no
longer needed them. it looked like a
very different baby from that in the
basket
''It amt such bad-looking wave,
after all, = said the Captain, bending his
honest red face over it and holding out
a rough and rugged fore finger, which
the baby instantly grasped, and laughed
and cooed over.
Here's the p'lireman, mum, for the
baby" said Hannah, ushering that
functionary in.
"O," said Mrs. Weatherby, looking
| greatly disappointed, ''I'm not half
ready yet.
But it's only the baby, mum, they
wants. One of the foundlings died last
night and this here one is to have is
place." said the man.
Il can't help it, said Mrs. Weather
by; the child won't go till its ready. Its
clothes are not even packed up yet
You see," laughed the Captain,
''my mate there vii, want a Saratoga
trunk for that waves clothes before she
gets through with it. Say, Mr.. Police
mon, just as soon as it's ready l'll'send
for you to come after it.
Just so. sir'' answered the man,
tjust so; I'll return to duty, and you
can let me know when the missis is
ready
There was an amused twinkle in the
Captains eyewhen he saw how relieved
his wife looked as the man took his de-
parture.
All this happened year ago. was
reminded of it by receiving the follow
ing card, which had been sent out
generally by the good Captain and his
| wife:
THE BABY.
Where did you come from, baby dear2
Out of the everywhere, into the here.
| Where did you get your eyes so blue?
Out of the skies as / came through.
| What makes your forehead smooth and high?
A soft hand stroked it as went by.
| What makes your cheek like a warm, white
| rose?
saw something better than any one knows.
Whence that three-cornered smile of bliss?
| Three angels gave me at once kiss.
| Where did you get that coral ear?
God spoke, and it came out to hear.
| Where did you get those arms and hands?
| Love made itself into bonds and bands.
| Whence came your feet, dear little things?
| From the same box as the cherubs' wings.
How did they all first come to be you?
God thought about me, and so grew.
But how did you come TO us, you dear?
| God thought about you, and SO am here.