Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-10-17

mamma is" the baby implored. And
ever and again that plaintive little
cry broke forth: Oh, bod, tell me
where my mamma is"
No one had yet missed her from
home, so there was no pursuit.
Presently she arrived at the house
with the updrawn curtains. 1t was
only a few rods from her own home,
but to the weary little feet the dis
lance had been tremendous.
She paused at the gateway and
bearing the sound of laughter with
in and attracted by the brightly
lighted windows, she toiled up the
steps to the piazza, and approaching
the nearest window, sat down and
looked in.
Something in the merry scene
within seemed to bring a fresh sense
of desolation to the little heart with
out. The golden head leaned heav-
lily against the bright pane, and
vail" Oh, bod, want my man.
ma, too"-burst from the quivering,
rosebud mouth.
Oh, bod, l want my mamma
too ~ The game ceased suddenly,
for the words seemed to cut through
the clear glass to the ears within.
One of the boys ran to the WIN.
dow, but drew back quickly, and
with amazement and pity in his
voice cried out:
ooh, mamma, come quick !!
There's poor little girl outside"
The beautiful lady came swiftly to
the window. For one moment she
gazed, motionless with pity, on the
tiny creature lying huddled up
against the pane; then quickly rails
ing the broad sash, she put out her
arms and gathered the little girl
lovingly into them.
1t is little Grace Meredith ~ she
exclaimed, in wonder. Why, darl-
ing, how did you come here all
alone :"
The lady pressed the child to her
warm mother heart, and seating
herself in chair wiped away the
tears from the sweet eyes.
!" l want my mamma" was all lit
tie Grace could say.
The tears sprang suddenly to the
lady's own sweet eyes.
"John," she whispered to her hus.
band, who had left his paper and
regarding the group with curious
emotion. "John go over, please,
and tell Mr.. Meredith his little girl
is with us, safe and sound. And"
she added, as the gentleman was
about to leave, task him, please, to
let her stay with us tonight. 1t will
do her good to be with the children,
poor, motherless little darling.D
The child looked at the gentleman
with grave, questioning eyes, but
said nothing. Her mother had been
buried the day before, and her little
heart was filled with longing for the
dear caresses she had lived and
thrived upon.
81 want my mamma" she said
again, in tones that seemed to i'm.
ply they could give her what she SO
long desired.
eyes, DEAR" said the lady, sooth-
ingly, tears dropping from her eyes
upon the golden head. Yes, dear,
you shall have your mamma one of
these days, one of the beautiful dis.
tant days, when God in His good
ness shall give the child back to its
mother and the mother to her child.
Hush darling, hush! Mamma is
waiting for you way, way up beyond
the shining stars, and you shall 60
to her, dear, when God has made
you ready for the change
And so they soothed little Grace,
and sang to her, and the boys
brought out their playthings for her,
all were SO good and gentle to her
that for a time she forgot the sore.
ness in her bosom and was happy.
But that night, after the. golden
head bad sunk YEARLY to rest, and
a tiny, white robed form lay still in
the crib that had been found for it,
the beautiful lady's eyes overflowed
as a tremulous sob reached her ear.
and in her sleep little Grace again
murmured her baby petition:
"Oh, bod, / want my mamma,
tOo.D- Chicago Nescs.
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