The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-03-18

"I'll tell you who does love children,
though" suddenly exclaimed jamie;
"and l love her too, and wish papa
would marry her. Miss Polly Pritchard." "
What, that Miss Polly that has the
blue Maltese cat, and the red cardinal
bird?" said Robbie. "Well, it amt q
bad idea. She gave me some bread
and.jam the night l got lost blackberry
ing on the hills, and told me such Il nice
story about Fortunatus and his Purse
when was resting on her SOFA"
Eyes. and what do you thinkpr'
eagerly struck in jamie. She's dress
ing eighteen dolls, now, for the poor
little orphan girls in the asylum, and
she has bought eleven jack-knives, be-
cause she says all children ought to have
Christmas"
"She's trump" declared Robbie,
pounding both hands down upon the
table. 81 declare I've most u mind to
marry her myself! But look here,
jamie, amt you going to help q fellow
with these long-division sums, before
papa calls us in to recitc?"
And then the noise of four talking to-
gcther drowned the sense of what they
said, and Mr.. Mcllcn, smiling to him
self, pushed back bis pen and sermon
paper.
"'Out of the mouths of babes and
sucklings,' he said mildly. "Who
knows but that these little ones voices
have been sent 10 guide my footsteps
arightp 1t was Il sweet and gracious
idea, that of preparing II Christmas for
the little homeless ones who have no
parents to take tender thought for them.
l think ] will go out and quiet my
troubled mcditations with Il walk"
And his walk led him to the little red
farm house in whose wing Miss Polly
Pritchard sat diligently at work over
the eighteen dolls.
The parson was u sensible straight
forward man, who comprchcndcd none
Of the sinuous wilcs of society. He
knocked at the door and walked in.
All looked cosy and comfortable there,
from the big gcranium in the window
and the Maltese cat on the rug, to the
shaded lamp and the work-haSllct be-
side the prim little Spn&tcr.
And Miss Polly herself, with her
thick brown hair coilcd in knot at the
back of her head, and faint carnation-
like bloom on her check, was not the
least attractive element OF the scene.
$50 these arc the dolls for the little
waits and strays of humanity-ch?"
said the parson, looking kindly at the
maiden lady.
Yes said Miss Polly. "But
don't know how you heard anything
about it, Mr. Mcllen. 1t was to be 4
profound secret
II will keep it, most profoundly"
said the parson.
You sec" blushingly explained Miss
Polly, II am fond of children, and it's a
real pleasure to me to do ANYTHING for
the little things. I've often thought I
should like to adopt child,'
Miss Polly" said the parson bluntly,
that is the very business / havo come
to you about. What do you say to
adopting four?'
"FourP" repeated Miss Polly.
Yes, said the parson. "Minc! And
their father thrown into the bar~ain
What do YOU say, Miss Polly? Will YOU
marry mc?"
Tim afraid | am not good enough, '
said Miss Polly, with n little gasp, as il
the tide of unexpected happiness was
surging up into her very throat
''lf ever there was a good Christian
Polly, you are one," said the parson
"Or elso," putting his hand lightly
upon the tiny heap of dolls, "you nevcl
would have taken all this trouble fol
Christ's orphaned little ones. Only say
Yes Polly. That is all want"
And Polly said YES"
Mrs. Gri6bagc was quite incredulou.
when she came home and heard the
news.
II thought it was to be Gcorgictt,
Fullerton, sure enough" said she
'But how ever came Mr.. Mellen t.
think of you?"
81 am sure don't know" said Mis-.
Polly with humility.
So. like the old-timc fairy stories, oul
talo ends. ''And they lived happil,
ever after" For Mrs. Mcllen was ;
model stcpmothor, and the four young
rebels at the parsonage loved hcl
heartily.
This was Miss Polly Pritchard's las
Christmas in loveless solitude. 70,
when the next Christmas came she wa!
the happy little mistress of the parsonage