The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-31

her five shiIIings"
every good of you" said the curate; ''shs
has large family-nine, | think
Eyes, but we are sorry now that we gave
the money. We are sure she is not careful,
thrifty woman"
The curate's eyes twinkled. He knew Ann
Jenkins well-too well.
Careful and thrifty people wouldn't want
your half-crowns. But how did you find out
her true characterf'
Mr. Mordle expected to hear mournful &C
count of domiciliary visit TO Ann Jenkins,
and a dissertation upon the various and almost
original stages of untidiness in which his
friends had found her numerous progeny.
But the truth was better than be had bar
gained for.
1--WE walked behind her across the field this
morning" said Horace, with grave regret.
''When she got over the stile we saw she had
on two odd stockings, black one and a gray
one-or blue and gray, l am not certain
which" :
'sBlue and gray" said Herbert, 81 noticed
particularly
Her tastes, like yours" said the curate,
''may be cultured enough to avoid Philistinic
uniformity"
.sOh dear, no." said Herbert, seriously.
&c u EuC Al tillo W lut NOuldu udS lWO
pairs of stockings"
II doubt it." said the curate. 'But never
mind-go on" His friends were surprising
themselves
"She has two pairs-one gray, the other
blue or black. She has worn one stocking
into holes Instead of sitting down and
darning it, like decent body, she simply
puts on one of the other pair
'Why doesn't she put on the other pair
altogether asked Mr.. Mordle.
Because" said Horace, triumphantly, lone
dated c6ndltion; SO her conducSIs ao1oy Dad.
As I said, she is not deserving woman"
''Granting your premises" said Mr.. Mordle,
''your argument is not illogical. Your
reasoning appears sound, your deductions
correct. But
The curate was preparing for a delicious
battle on this subject, well worn or otherwise,
Of Ann Jenkins hose: He meant TO learn
why one stocking of either pair should wear
out before rs fellow, and many other fanciful
combinations were forming themselves in his
subtle brain, when the interest in the mended
or unmended stockings was extinguished by
the entrance of the Talberts' irreproachable-
looking man-servant. He informed his mas
tiers that the man had brought the child.
w 4db HloDs w udb dSkeu I1OIdCS.
"Do you expect a man or a child, Herbertf
Certainly not. What do you mean, Whit
takerF'
"a railway man has brought child sir.
He says it is to be left here.n
There must be some stupid mistake
"No doubt, sir" said Whitaker, respect
fully, but showing that his opinion quite COIN
cided with bis masters"
"Where is the manF' asked Horace
SIN the hall, sir"
"Did he wipe his shoesP asked Herbert, In
dread.
Certainly sir; / insisted upon his doing So"
1--WE had better see the stupid man and set
the matter right" said Horace. Excuse US
for moment, Mr. Mordle."
The two tall men walked into the hall, leav-
ing Mr. Mordle to chuckle at his ease. Halle
wood House was certainly most interesting
place this evening. 1t was lucky for the
curate that he INDUCED In his merriment
with his face turned from the door, as In q
minute the respectable Whitaker entered
the room. That functionary was most ten
acious that due respect should be shown to
his masters. Most probably the look Of
vivid amusement ON Mr.. Mordle's features
would, had he seen it, have made an enemy
for life of the faithful Whitaker.
"Mr Talbert and Mr.. Herb TT would be
glad if you would step out for a moment, SIR"
Thereupon Mr.. Mordle went into the hall
and saw a most comical sight-the solemnity
Of the actors concerned not being the least
comical part of it. Standing sheepishly ON
the door mat, or rather on one of the legion
of door mats, was a stolid-faced porter in his
uniform of brown fustian, velveteen, or
whatever they call the stuff. On either side
of the massive, oblong hall-table stood one OK
the Talberts, while between them, on the
table itself, was a child with mass Of tum-
bled, fossy, golden hair streaming down from
under natty little cap. Horace and Her.
bert, each armed with his horn-rimmsd eye
glass, and with looks of utter CONSERVATION
and bewilderment upon their faces, were
bending down and inspecting the child.
To MIR. Mordle's imaginative mind the
group suggested picture he had once seen
of the Brobdignagians taking stock Of Gull
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 at becoming
distance from the other end, and joined in
the scrutiny of the diminutive stranger.
This is most extraordinary thingi"
said Horace. 1.-THE CHILD Is sent by rail
addressed here"
mr.. Mordle read the t1cket:e II. TaIbeYt,
Esq, Hazlewood House, Oakbury, near Black
town.
where did you say it came fromr asked
Herbert, turning to the stolid-faced porter.
Let US hear all about it again"
Guard of five o'clock down, gentlemen; he
says child was left in nrst-class carriage.
Mother got out at Didcot, and missed the
train or didn't come back. Guard told me to
get cab and bring the child here. Said d be
paid well for my trouble. Cab was thu &c and
six, gentlemen"
"There must be some mistake. What are
we to dor asked the brothers.
Don't expect any visitors, 1 supposer
asked the curate.
None whatever. You must take the child
away again" said Horace turning to the por-
ter. The man gaped.
What am | to do with ii, sir" he asked.
Lost parcels Office" suggested Mr.. Mordle
quietly. Whitaker gave him reproachful
look. The matter was too serious one for Jest.
"Cut the label off, {" was the curates next