Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1884-04-10

4
waves Che meant waifs) belong. If you
ian'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 half hour or more before they got
into the back parler There Mrs. Wealth
erby sat with the object rolled up in a
table-cloth, lying on 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 policeman,
looking down on the tiny head basking
in the freight.
"Girl, corrected Mrs. Weatherby. ~
tell you what, Silas, think had better
keep the baby till the mornin'. 1t don't
seem exactly Christian to let it go out in
the cold tonight again
''That'll suit me, said the policeman.
'It's good bit from here to the Fond
Inns, and it do seem at home, sir"
every foolish, very foolish, Mary; but
have your own way; only don't let me
be disturbed with its cryin', that's all, y
said the captain, as he peeped over slyly
and stole look at the "wave."
The next morning at 10 o'clock the
policeman was on hand for that baby.
''Now, isn't it too bad" said Mrs
Weatherby, '-but the fact is it amt
ready . and she slipped some money in
the mans hand for his trouble. "Tm
going to look over some things 4 have
put away" said the poor little mother,
''and give it some decent clothes to
wear. Would it be too much trouble
to ask you to come for it this evening ~
Certingly not, ma'am," said the
officer. As he went out Captain Wealth
by looked up from his paper and winked
at him The officer winked back and
looked very knowingly at Mrs. Wealth
crby
Such running and rummaging as
there was in that house all day and by
night the baby had quite an extensive
wardrobe ready; dressed out in the little
tucked and embroidered baby gown that
had been brought out and done up forit,
from the stock that had once belonged to
those other babies who no longer needed
them, it looked like 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
rough and rugged fore-fnger which
the baby instantly grasped, and laughed
and cooed over
''Here's the p'lieeman, mum, for the
baby" said Hannah, ushering that
functionary in.
'Oh." said Mrs. Weatherby, looking
greatly disappointed, 'Tm not half
ready yetm
'But it's only the baby, mum, they
wants. One of the foundlings died last
night and this here one is to have its
place, said the man.
81 can't help it, " said Mrs Weatherby;
"the child won't go till it is ready. Its
clothes are not even packed up yet"
'fYou see," laughed the captain, 'my
mate there will want Sarotogy trunk
for that waves clothes before she gets
through with it. Say, Mr.. Policeman,
just as soon as it's ready I'll send for you
to come after it."
'tJust so, SIR" answered the man;
'just SO; I'll return to duty, and you
can let me know when the mlssis is
ready"
There was an amused twinkle in the
captains eye, when 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 following
card, which had been sent out generally
by the good captain and his wife:
THE BABY.
Where did you come from, baby dearl
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 warm, white
rose!