The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-10-18

time in the corner, PLAYING church,
Edith was the minister, of course. else
why was she Two years older? While
Bess, looking very solemn and sleepy.
did the congregation to life, as she sat
in her little chafr, surrounded by her
large doll-family.
I'VE will sing now, Bess, so stand
up" said Edith. after she had gone
over all the verses she could remember.
| by way of a sermon. And Bess, GLAD
to change, rose up at once, and they,
piped up in shrill, high voices, and then,
Edith wound up with "Amen' in her
loudest voice, but after looking at Bess
moment she changed it to "A
women, cause they aint men here. "
Bess wanted to go on singing, so 10
grew louder and louder, and mamma
looking up with the worried look still
between her eyes.
80 children, what a racket you
make! Can't you play something nice
and quiet?"
"No,. mamma" answered Edith.
eve feel all full of noise, and | wish
you would let us 90 out doors, there's
such lots of room there. Please do,
mamma"
And Bessie, Edith's echo, said, 'PeH
DO mum"
1t was almost train-time, and the
track lay Just outs de the door-yard.
But mamma had been out and shut she
gates so securely that the little fingers
could not open them, Just before she
commenced her sewing. though if it
had not been for her bother over the
Iitt1n HrnSS oh Id hovr,, LooL
ed that Bill, the hired man, had been
up for jug of water little while be-
fore, and nothing could ever make BIZ
remember to close the gates carefully.
He was not used to the children's pres
ence there yet, as they had cone out to
the farm only a short time before, to
spend the summer at grandpa s. But
all this slipped out of mammals mind,
and she said, Eyes, go on, and be good
girls"
And away they ran out into the pref
ty sunshine they loved so we'll.
1t was very quiet now, in the big
sunny room, with no sound to break
the stiffness, but the click of grandma's
needles from the bright corner where
dear grandma sat knitting, and doing
sometimes, and old Bose, the great yell
low mastili, snoring on the rug.
Presently, missing the babies, whom
he had adopted at once as his especial
charges, he stretched himself with a
huge yawn, and slowly followed them
out of doors. And mamma, looking up
a moment. said:
''Mother, Bose is getting so old He
isn't good for anything now but to lie
around and sleep | should almost
think father would have him put out of
the way"
Grandma's needles stopped clicking.
and she looked up in establishment.
"Why daughter, you surely don't think
what you are saying. Why. | believe
father would as soon think Of putting
me out of the way. Bose, Why, what
could we do without Bosc"'
''Well, mother, know it. only | feel
cross and worried this morning, and
everything goes the wrong way. Don't
mind what | say"
care the gates all closed, daughter?
It's almost train time.
Eyes, mother, closed them before I
sat down to sew. But, ohn'-with a
sudden thought flashing through her
mind-''Bill has been up since then"
Anu luSb as Ihdinl1d ran OUT. Jne
train whistled. Her brain reeled at the
picture before her. For there, on the
track, standing still, with her dear
sunny head bent forward in her Devil
derment, and her little hands full of
flowers pity towers for N um''--was
baby Bess. And Edith stood crying as
I loudly as she could on the bank.
Ill this was photographed on the
mothers heart forever, as she ran, in
vain hope of reaching her baby in time.
But there was one before her, and Bose
| flew past her like a yellow flash. In
great bounds he gained the track,
caught the baby in his teeth, and they
were safe ON the meadow grass as the
| train Numbered by.
| In the mothers heart was psalm of
thanksgiving, as she crept down after.
them, iof her strength had all gone,
and everything grew very dim, as she
c,aSped the baby in her arms, and Bose
/ stood looking on most anxiously, as he
saw She number of his patients thus in
| creasing.
But mamma opened her eyes in afew
moments, and seeing Bose standing
over her, she took his honest old head
in her arms, and kissed him on his fore
head.
0 Bose, dear Bose, how could ever
have said such things about you as L
did, you who saved my baby's life. o
Bose if you will forgive me, you shall
have the best time all your life, and all
the fresh meat you can possibly eat.
WQereat, Bose nearly wagged his tail
of with delight. &. Chlttendea, aaa
YOut&'S Companion.