The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1885-02-26

sweet and bitter memories it called up,
although they cost her many tears.
seemed to lift her out Of her terrible
sorrow, and, woman-1ike, she took a
sad pleasure in reproducing III nninia-
ture the house where she had endured
so much misery: The little model SEEM
ed to bring her nearer to her lost boy,
and she loved it almost as a friend.
3'E wonder who will get the bunga:
low - she said to che colonel, wher
the dolls house had been duly paekee
and sent off to it's destination.
''I'm afraid I can't say, DEAR" an
swered her husband, ''but believe we
can easily find out.''
s'I think should like to know what
becomes of it,
$50 you shall, Bessie; FIJI see te
that,:'' said Col. Poland, always. eager
to CRAFTY her every fancy.
The scene was ward for an East
end hospital for children.
Low-voiced, neatly-dressed nurses
were passing to and fro among num-
bers OF little cots, each of which con.
tanned some tiny scraps of suffering
But the restless limbs were
quieter than usual, the querulous cries
less frequent; there was rare look of
delighted expectation upon the up
turned faces eyes were brighter,
cheeks flushed with color that was
not altogether hectic, and small
tongues showed an invincible DISPOSE.
ton to chatter, which the nurses au-
thority could not alt gether restrain
For Christmas was close at hand, and
with Christmas came, SO the children
had heard, all sorts of beautiful toys.
such as none had ever dreamed of be-
ing able to call their own; Christmas
cards, new sixpences, and joys won
derful and altogether beyond imagin-
alton. And presently rapturous ex-
pectation ended in blissful reality; a
chorus of delight and surprise filed
the long. formal room, where cries of
pain were, alas much more frequent,
and every child in the ward fondled
some toy which chased the look of suf-
fering from its face and infused into
its dull life new and exquisite pleas
ure.
One little fellow alone did not seem
satisfied with the splendid woolly dom
key which had fallen u his share. He
cast wistful and wondering looks upon
the prize which had been bestowed
upon his neighbor-a dolls house of a
unusual pattern.
"What'3 the matter, 3ob?" asked &
nurse, with whom Bob was an especial
favorite.
"'Please, nurse, may I see Ada's
dolls house ~ pleaded the child
''But, Bob, you know you ought to
be content with your own Donkey
80, please, nurse, may l look at
t?''
And the good woman had not the
leart to refuse. Ada was a contented
child, and was easily prevailed upon to
her claim to the dolls house
ind to transfer her affections to the
donkey. And Bob lay staring at his
1ew toy as if he could never take his
yes off it.
care you satisfied now, young
nan?'
But Bob s eyes filled with tears, and
le touched the house with trembling
md careful fingers, as though he half
it to vanish away from his
light.
'.It's like the house we used to live
n, nurse, ever so long ago. he said
This is where the nursery was and
mamma used to sleep here. 0, nurse,
Nurse. shall | ever see mamma again?'
OF course you WILL, Bob," answered
The nurse, with catch in her threat,
and wondering what the little fellow
could be thinking about. but cheer
lp, darling; you muslin cry to-day, OF
III days in the year"
There was stir at the other end of
he ward, as some visitors entered to
zee the children and their toys, Two
If them were a tall, gray-haired gen.
leman, very erect and stiff, accom-
panied by lady some years younger
han himself, with a sad expression
md wistful eyes.
Il think, madam, your toy was sent
nto this ward" said the superintend-
ent, who acted as guide; ''but Mrs.
Price will know. A dolls house, Mrs.
Price, made with only one story and
7eranda.'
Eyes, madam" said Mrs. Price,
up. l gave it to one child.
out another pleaded so hard for it that
let him have it instead of his own toy.
This way. if you please
''What is the name of the little
oleader?" asked the colonel, strangely
Interested.
"Robert Home,'' answered the
Nurse, surprsed-''at least, so we are
old. He was found month ago in a
vretched den in Shoreditch, and has
oeen very i'll with low fever. His
mother went off with a sailor, and left
Tim starving-the wretch! In the cot,
ust beyond there"
AS she spoke they approached the
cot, but the little occupant was too
much absorbed in the contemplation
If his new treasure to notice them. He
vas talking to himself about it.
Eyes, I'm sure we used to live here;
his is my room-and papa's study
md the dog kennel-and- -
Good heavcns!" exclaimed the col
,nel, "what can this mcan?'
But almost before the words were
Uttered his wife sprang forward, and,
Selling the child by its little shoulders,
urncd its startled face full into her
own. And a great cry of Joy filled the
ward, and the children wondered as
;hey heard a woman's voice sobbing
out:
80 Rupert, my own sweet darling!
Thank God we have found you at
ast!"-Londom Truth.