The National tribune., 1886-10-21

naming Of the child "She's got most rights TO
him, anyways" Then he felt kind of melan-
c.oly with the idea that somebody might come
later aud claim The child. Bill had never read
a story book hl his life, so no romance of a rich
father and mother coming in a carriage 10 de-
mand their lost baby presented itself TO his
imagination.
Bill became parsimonious and that week
saved almost every cent of his wages. lie be-
grudged himself even the tobacco he chewed.
He only kept sufficient money for his most
mcager wants. lie never took drink, and
declined being treated. To Molly he gave his
money.
Sure enough. the little boy. when Bill next
saw him. had on a new frock, and with what
pride Molly exhibited him 10 her brother!
He just looks like daisy, Molly. Isn't he
prcttyg Kind of sleepy. Amt be, Mollyr"
+" II e does sleep good deal but that's natural,
Bill. Much YOU know about babies! But
Bill, what's this pile Of money iorY L amt
spent all you gave me yet i don't want
il, and the child don't His cost fer keep is so
little. It's mighty good of you, Bill, and now
and then you can give him "A bit Of clothes. As
you say, when Winter comes the poor little
lamb will want thicker things, and they cost
more money. Here I amt going 10 take this,
deriving YOU of your hard-earned wages
aud Molly made a motion as ii 10 return the
handful of silver
"But Mol, Just bold hard a minute. He
mayn't want it now. Supposin' work was slack
aud Ididn'tcam nothing You have got TO keep
the cash for the time the boy grows. He's got
TO go 20 school, and has got 10 look as neat as
any other boy He's 10 be observation-disclosures
something more nor handling bricks. Don't
he do lot OF sleeping, MollyY inquired Bill
anxiously.
ooh! don't you keep worrying about him.
] He's been playing ever 30 sweet. Maybe nc
one of them children what talks late in life,
and they so ] hear tell, is always the smartest
in the long run. Pact u.s. Bill, ] have surprise
for You. He never said word before yester-
day. ] was afraid myself he was kind Of dumb"
Bill averted his face and then looked out on the
water, tor the brother and sister were talking
on the dock.
"But-but, today, Bill, he said 'mudder' 50
sweet, and then he said il over and over again,
and held out his pretty little mouth to be
kissed. Oh, Bill. his senses is coming back 10
him. slow, but sure" aud Molly cuddled the
sleeping child closer 10 her breast.
Bill kept right on i'm the good way he had
planned for himself and neverswerved hairs
breadth. Molly was his savings bank. Brother
and sister contributed TO the childs support
In month Bill was richer than he had ever
been in his life. Then be insisted that Molly
should rent better room. The one she lived
in, he said, looked out on a dingy, dreary back
] AhfNs DLAlGN 10 INdoOls Blu DAaAs bhab q
baby should sec horses and trucks and things
a-moving about in the streets. 1t makes EN-
lively"
Little Bill 80 they called him Molly in
sisting that her brothers name should serve fol-
the child)-improved, but too slowly for bis
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 improvement-not, per
! hams ranid I chauld wish Won are 4
capital nurse, ma'am, and am sure your kind
ness and attention will help the child. BE vii
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. Slowly the little boy seemed Il
acquire new words. Molly wondered at then
at times, and thought that she had taught then
to the child; but then again the little fellow
adopted mother was startled by words she fel
quite certain the child had picked up some
where else. These new words came TO the child
FIRST vaguely. He would repeat them over anC
over again, at first hesitatingly, then giving
them slight emphasis as If 10 fix them on hi
mind, something like the little bird that pipe
the first faint tune ii has heard.
The child was more awake now. This chang
delighted Molly. IL never was fretful. Tn
child would lie quiet, with its blue eyes wild
open for hours, without whimper.
So il went on for another week or two. Bill
who was always coming and going, when h
left New York for a trip up the river, wa
happy, for the child was bettering fast, SO b
believed.
1t was an October evening when as the bricl
sloop was being brought up to the wharf, Bill
saw Molly leaning against one Of the bi
wooden posts Of the dock. Bill was busy wit
the hawser, but at once he saw that his siste
did not have the child in her arms; more thai
that, she was crying.
Bill choked down his grief-he seemed Z
know at once what had happened. One las
hope there was. Maybe il was so cold tina
Molly had been afraid 10 bring the child wit
her.
"Bill," said Molly, sobbing, " the poor littl
fellow has gone TOTO Heaven. 1t was last night
. Hecalled 10 me and said: Good might, mud der
goodnight, far-der-now am going walkin
in garden-good- night Oh, Bill, b
! had never spoken so long a string Of words be
fore-then he played for a moment with rim
, on my finger, and then he added, God BILE:
far-der and mud-der,' and then he looked 9
! lovingly at me- aud around the room as
searching FOR you-and then he died-so quiet
3 Bill Bill don't you take on so! 1t was a
, accident and God and his little child have n
fault 10 find with you"