The Sunday herald., 1886-11-21

| date her into an Immediate purchase.
| The result of all this was a cessation of
the daily advertisement. Mr.. Dobbs of
course, was not informed minutely OF all that
went on, though an interview with his but
| Ter one evening threw little light on things
that had occurred.
| III wish to give months warning, sir"
said this gentleman, in privacy to his
master.
why. now, Tinker, what is the matter
I'm sure you've very comfortable place,
with boy to do all your dirty work."
Tinker coughed and stammered few
words before coming TO the point. "Well,
now, sir, to speak plain, it's along of that
wild crowd Of vagabonds as Mrs. Dobbs she's
seeing Of every day. Babies by the score,
they're brought by impident rascals such as
aip't been accustomed to. One of 'em she
wouldn't go out Of the gate till called the
police. II amt respectablei in gentlemans s
house, do assure you, SIR"
| Somehow or other Mr.. Dobbs managed to
soothe the outraged feelings of his man-ser-
want, and prevailed upon him to put up
awhile longer with the inconvenience Of the
situation. The worthy Josiah was con-
cerned for the protection Of his wife.
"IIow are you getting on with your bust.
ness, my lovei" inquired Mr.. Dobbs. that
evening
"Oh, pretty well," said the lady cheer
fully, yet persistently avoiding her hus-
bands eye. "I find It very difficult to
make up my mind; aud want a pretty lit
tie boy, not quite baby, with no disgrace
| full connections to hang about him. No
doubt shall see one to suit me in few
| days"
The few days passed without further al
luson to the subject, and the following
| curious advertisement appeared in all the
daily papers:
"Wanted, for immediate adoption, a little
boy between two and four years old. Must
be healthy and pretty, and sound in body
and mind. The parents or relatives must
surrender all claim upon him forever. He
will be comfortably provided for In the
future. Apply daily, to Messrs. Griffham
and Grabham. Solicitors, POI Parliament
street, Westminster"
| After the appearance of this advertise
ment the persecuti m at Clarence Villa
gradually died away, and only now and
| again a respectable man or woman, leading
little boy was heard inquiring for Mrs.
DObbs's residence of local policeman. But
| the lady was obdurate to all claims made on
her pity. She had hardened her heart to
destitute cases, and penniless widows or
| consumptive fathers met with scant oere-
mony at her hands If their offspring were
not desirable.
After this had gone on for fortnight or
more Mrs. Dobbs one day visited Messrs.
Griffham and Grabham during business hours.
81 have come about the child, Mr.. Griff
ham, }" she said going at once 10 her point.
"How is 1t you have sent me none that
are pretty or Interestingly" From the force
of habit, Mrs. Dobbs was apt to speak dicta.
torially to strangers.
"My dear madame. pray remember chill
dren are not made to order"
| Mrs. Dobbs WINGED. 81 see I must ex-
pect no assistance from You, SIR" she said,
loftily. "No doubt my husbands OPPOSE
tion to my project has Influenced you.
will trouble You no further in this matter.
You may consider your quest at an end.
Good morning."
Weary of her undertaking, Mrs. Dobbs
had almost resolved to abandon her whim.
She chewed the cud of bitter thoughts on
her homeward way that day. Providence
| or good fortune was against her success.
That evening Mr.. Dobbs came home with
an unusual degree of haste, and of a cheer.
| full mien.
"My love-" he said, tripping over the
dining-ro room mat, "I've found child for
you"
Mrs. Dobbs looked up coldly. "It'simpos-
sible l shall like it,, she said, pervsrsely.
"No one wants to part with child unless
there's something the matter with it."
Mr.. Dobbs beamed yet more brightly. He
was not to be subdued by any wet blankets.
"It's little boy, and he is three years old,
| fair, pretty, and most intelligent. His
father is just dsad.'
"What about the mother p questioned
Mrs. Dobbs, cautiously.
Josiah Redeemed, stammsring little.
| "She-ah, poor souls dead too. This is
no beggars brat. He is wsll-born, Dorothy,
on one side. can give you every proof"
The next day the child was brought to
Clapham, aud left at Clarence Villa by a
clerk from Mr.. Dobbs's Office. He was poorly
dressed, but a handsome little lad, lively
and spirited. He was not at all shy, aud
addressed himself freely to thepug and parrot.
The piping, treble voice and shrill, childish
laughter touched the maternal chord in
| DOrothy's heart. She went little sadly
that day while her eyes followed the child.
He stroked her velvet gown, and fingered
her rings, while he sat upon her knee chat
| tering about the things around him.
"What Is your namef" questioned the
lady.
"Harry," answered the boy readily. But
nothing more could be elicited from him.
He did not seem to understand that he could
have second name. He was but baby
boy, scarcely three.
In the afternoon Mrs. Dobbs telegraphed
to her husband that he must make arrange
msnts for her to keep the child day or two.
It would not be necessary to send any one to
fetch him that evening. The day passed
quickly, with little feet pattsring beside
her, exploring the wonders of garden and
green houses.
Toward o'clock Mrs. Dobbs began to
look anxiOusly for her spOuss's return. She
had quite decided she would keep the child, /,
but still there were questions to be asked
prelminariss to be settled. The little boy
must be hers entirely. None must ever
claim him or interfere with his welfare.
Mr.. Dobbs came lsisursly up the garden
at his usual hour, carrying his fish bag. His
stolid face changed little when he looked
through the window and saw the child upon
his wifes knee.
"He isa pretty boy, Dorothy" he said
nervously when he came near.
"a darling little boy. mean to keep
HIM, Josiah" she said, gently disengaging
the chubby hands from her chain. "Will
you stay with me, Harry %
The child laughed glesfully, tossing back
his curls.
"stay with 90; pity, pity aowers," he
cried, clapping his hands.
; "Tsll ma all You know about him, Josiah
what Is MS parentage, ana VIII his nearest
relatives surrender all claim upon him 2"
Josiah shifted unsasily on his seat. lie
had the appearance of a man oppressed with
guilt.
"Hs ia an orphan, (" said he, looking spec
ulatively at his own broad toes.
$50 much the better for me-" said Mrs.
Dobbs. "But will not have any distant
relatives hanging about. He must belong
exclusively to me-"
Mr.. Dobbs drew nearer to his wife.
dorothy, he ought to belong to You, II to
, anv one.'
The lady put down the child from hel
knee. His large blue eyes gazed in wonder
at this sudden rejection.
"What is the boys name 7" said Mrs
Dobbs, breathlessly.
"Henry," he reioinsd slowly.
"But, Henry what Z" she asked more
. sharply.
"Hsnry Morrison. He is your sisters
| ohild-a friendless orphan now, God hell