Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-10-16

of door mats was stolid- faced porter IN his
uniform of brown fastian, veiveteen, or
whatever they call the stuff. On either side
Of the massive, ohlong hall-tshle stood one OF
the Talherts, while between them, ON the
table itself, was q child with mass Of tunl-
bled, hossy, golden hair streaming down from
under q natty little cap. Horace and Her
bert, each armed with his horn-rimmed eve
glass, and with looks Of utter CONSERVATION
and bewildsrment upon their faces, were
bending down and inspecting the child
To Mr.. Mordle's imaginative mind. the
group suggested picture he had once seen
of the Brahdignagians taking stock OF Gul-
liver; nor could the picture have been in any
way spoiled when he himself, tall man.
went to one end Of the table, while Whit
taker, another tall man, stood ut a becoming
distance from the other end, and joined in
the scrutiny Of the diminutive stranger.
This is a most extraordinary thing
said Horace. The child is sent by rail
addreSsed here"
Mr.. Morile read the ticket; III. Talhert,
Esq, Hazlewood House. oasbury, near Black
town
Where did you say it came froml' asked
Herbert, turning to the stolld-faced porter.
let US hear all about it again"
Guard If five O'clock down, gentlemen; he
SANS child was left in tirst-claSs carriage
Mother got out at Didcot, and missed the
train or didn't come hack Guard told me 10
get cab and bring the child here, Said I'd b.
paid we'll for my trouble Cab was three and
six, gentlemen.
''Thcpe must be some mistake. What aro
we 10 do!" asked the brothers
Don't expect any visitors, l supposed"
asked the curate.
away again. said Horace turning 10 the por-
ter. The man gaped.
What am | to do with it. sirl" he asked.
Lost parcels office, suggested Mr.. Mcrsile
quietly. Whitaker gave him reproachful
look The matter WAS too serious a one for Jest
Cut the label Off, :" was the curate's next
piece Of advice There may be a letter under
it"
They took it Off. The label was a pitNce Of
writing paper gummed On 70 a plain card
which had been torn or cut irregularly. Ne
letter WAS concealed ben >ath it. Then they
searched the pockets of the child's little coat,
but found nothing. Their pcrplexity in
creased
I'm wish you god evening, gentlemen"
said the porter. Cab was three and six"
The 'TabhieS' were on the horns Of diem
ma The eyes which could detect the discrep-
aucy in the unfortunate Mrs. Jenkins stock
ings were able 10 see that the baby was
well, even very well, clad, 1t was just posi-
BILE that letter had miScarried possible that
some one was coming to Hazlewooi House
without invitation or notiet-that she had
really missed the train at Dideot; that she
would arrive in The course Of an hour or two
and explain matters. The safest plan was To
keep the child for a while
Having settled this, Horace flshed five
Shillings out of his pocket and sent the porter
away happy. Thereupon Herbert produced
Il half crown which he handed to his brother
who pocketed il without comment and aS a
matter of course. They We're not misery
men, but made point of being just and ex-
act i'll their dealings with one another down
TO the uttermoS; farthng. Much annoyance
would be saved if all men were the same rs
the Talborts with respect TO small sums New
erthelcsS this rigid adjustment Of matters
pecuniary was a trait i'll their characters
which greatly ticiilcd Mr.. Mordle.
All the while the little boy, with fat sturdy
legs placed well apart, stood upon the great
oak hall table The lantern of many colnred
glass over his head threw rich, warm tints on
his sunny hair He seemed in no way shy or
terrified; indeed, if any fault could be found
in his bearing, it was that his manners We're
justified. As the dignitcd brothers once more
bent over him to resume their examination,
he seized MIR. Herbcrt's watch chain i'll his
chubby fist and laughed delightedly-a laugh
which Mr.. MoItile echoed He had long looked
FOR a suitable excuse for expressing his feel
ingS i'll this way. The situation was So funny.
An unknown child foisted upon his friends mt
this hour of tho night No dirty beggar's
brat, but pretty, well-dressed little boy, old
enough TO possess a row of tiny white teeth,
but not it seemed, Old enough 10 give any
explanation of this unwarTantahle intrusion.
The enid had such large, bright blue eyes,
such wonderful golden hair, such fearless and
confident ways, that Herbert, who was fond
of children, patted the bright head and pulled
out his watch that the little rascal might
hear it tick; while Mordle slipped back 70 the
dining room and returned with couple OF
mwholcsome macaroons.
/ Nearest way To n chld's heart through the
stomach, he said, the youngster deserted
his first friend for the sake Of the sweets
Horace eyed these advances discont mtcdly
"But what is 10 be done!n he said
Just then the mufiled strains of piano
passed through the closed door of the drawing
| room.
| 81 should think" said the curate, ''you
had i sitter take Miss Clauson'S advice on tho
| subject