Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-10-22
81 WANT MY MAMMA"
The Prayer Of an Orphan Child That
Was Soon Answered.

The red October sun had disap-
peared behind the distant hills in the
midst of glories indescribable, and
deep-brooding night hung over the
quiet valley.
Toward the north the thick clus-
tering lights of town sent up a
puny challenge to the radiant stars
massed overhead.
Toward the south, stretching down
the valley like the tail of little COM
ct, the lights in hundreds Of suburban
villas peered like curious eyes into
the outer darkness.
The entire scene was one of peace
and repose. In one of the villas an
upturned curtain revealed a pretty
sight. A beautiful lady sat In
chair in the center Of the drawing
room, and from opposite corners two
manly little fellows were making re-
peated onslaughts upon her, their
apparent object being to see who
should gain the chair first and be re-
warded for his prowess with a kiss
from its fair, sweet occupant.
A gentleman seated at one end OF
the room glanced up now and then,
with a sort of frowning smile, as
peal after peal of boyish laughter
disturbed his calm communion with
his favorite evening paper, but he
had not the heart to put stop to
this improvised game, as it went mer'
rily on.
| Meanwhile, a wee figure was toiline
up the road from an adjacent house
She was evidently fugitive, for sht
was hatless, and her stockings hao
fallen down from her knee and wer'
rolled about her diminutive shoes
leaving the little white legs exposed
, to the chill autumn air. A mass o
tangled golden curls fioated back il
the breeze, and the sweet violet eye
were yelling over in great tears
which rolled down the ruddy cheek
and plashed upon the little hand
2 holding tight to her breast ragge
l doll.
, Great sobs convulsed the tin
q creature as she half ran along th
dusty road.
e "Oh, bod, tell me where my man
8 ma u.s." the baby implored. An
ever and again that plaintive lit
: cry broke forth: ''Oh, bod, tell n
where my mamma is"
r. No one had yet missed her fro
q home, so there was no pursuit.
J. Presently she arrived at the hou'
b with the updrawn curtains. 1t WI
y only few rods from her own hon
r but to the weary little feet the dl
le tance had been tremendous.
She paused at the gateway; al
it hearing the sound of laughter Wit
r in, and attracted by the bright
ut lighted windows, she toiled up t
re steps to the piazza, and approachi1
p. the nearest window, sat down al
On looked in.
le, Something in the merry see
es within seemed to bring a fresh ser
of desolation to the little heart VII
on out The golden head leaned heav
to sgsinst the bright pane and a wall
bo tOh, Doi, want my mamma, to'
burst from the quivering, roseb
I mouth.
"Oh, bod, l want my mamma to-
The game ceased suddenly, for
=" words seemed to cut through
clear glass to the ears "itnih.
led One of the boys ran to the wine
but drew back quickly, and Y
rite amazement and pity in bis voice CT
the out:
"Oh, mamma, come quick! The
oos a poor little girl outside.'
not The beautiful lady came swl
.oat to the window. For one mon
ger she gazed, motionless with pity,
the tiny creature lying huddled
note against the pane; then quickly !
has ing the broad sash, she put out
, 80 arms and gathered the little girl
wed ineiy into them.
tIt il little Grace Meredith"