Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-08-30
sleeping, Molly?" inquired Bill anx-

o'S'I'"S' 4''i'y' lhi"iicu DIii auA-
iou|y.
"Oh! don't you keep worrying about
him. He been playing ever so sweet
Maybe he's one of them children what
talks late in life, and they, so hear
tell. is always the smartest in the long
run. Fact is, Bill, have surprise
for you. He never said word before
yesterday was afraid myself he was
kind of dumb
Bill ayerted his face and then looked
out on the water. for the brother and
sister were talking on the dock.
''But-but, to-day, Bill he said mud
der so sweet, and then he said it over
and over again, and held out his pretty
little mVuth to be kissed. Oh, Bill his
senses is coming back to him. slow, but
surc;' and Molly cuddlcd the sleeping
child closer to her breast.
Bill kept right on in the good way
he had planned for himself and never
swcrvcd a hairs breadth. Molly was
his savings bank. Brother and sister
contributed to the chld's support. In
month Bill was richer than he had
ever been in his life. Then he insisted
that Molly should rent better room.
The one she lived in, he said looked
out on dngy, treary back yard
Stands to reason" said Bill, rhat a
baby should see horses and trucks and
things a-moving about in the streets.
1t makes 'cm lively"
Little Bll'-so they called him
(Moliy insisting that her brothers
name should serve for the chid) i'm
proved, but too slowly for big Bill.
The police surgeon was called in. Bill
Forster insisting on paying him fee.
The opinion the doctor gave was
guarded one. There is manifest i'm
provement-not, perhaps, as rapid as
| should wish. You are capital nurse,
ma a'am, and | am sure your kindness
and attention will help the child. He
will come round, | believe"
The cool weather came, and with
lowering temperatures the doctor hoped
the child would gain strength. The
cicatrice on the head had quite healed.
SlowIy y the little boy seemed to acquire
new words. Molly wondered at them
at times, and thought that she had
taught them to the child; but then again
the little fellows adopted mother was
startled by words she felt quite certain
the child had picked up somewhere
else. These new words came to the
child at first vaguely. He would re-
peat them over and over again, at first
hesitatingly, then giving them slight
emphasis, rs if TO fix them on his mind
something like little bird that pipes
the first faint tune it has heard.
Tho child was more awake now.
This change delighted Molly. 1t never
was fretful. The child would lay quiet,
with its blue eyes wide open for hours,
without whimper.
So it went on for another week or
two. Bill, who was always coming
and going. when he left New York for
a trip up the river, was happy, for the
child was bcttering fast, SO he believ-
cd.
1t was an October evening when, as
the brick sloop was being brought up
to the wharf, Bill saw Molly leaning
against one of the big wooden posts of
the dock. Bill was busy with the
hawscr but at once he saw that his
sister did not have the child in her
arms; more than that. she was crying.
Bill chokcd down his grief he seem
ed to know at once what had happen
ed. One last hope there was. Maybe
it was SO cool that Molly had been
afraid to bring the child with her.
.'Bill,' said Molly, sobbing, "the
poor little fellow has gone to--to hcav-
en-. 1t was last night. lie called to
me and said: Goodnight, mud-der;
goodnight, far-dcr-now | am going
walking in garden-good-good nightH
Oh, Bill, he had never spoken SO long
a string of words before-then he play
ed for IA moment with ring on my fin
ger, and then he added. God bless
lar-der and mud-dcr, and then he look
ed SO lovingly ut me, and around the
room as if searching for you-and then
he died-so quiet! Bill! Bill! don't
you take on 50! 1t was an accident,
and God and his little child have no
fault to lind with YOU"