The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1886-12-15

papers.
4 was in the trundle bed, and
was supposed 70 be asleep, but ]
heard him say, as father locked The
tin trunk into the cupboard;
1.-THE notes that my father held
against my brother are in there,
and'h is so determined to get hold
ytthem that we dare not keep
them in the house another night.
"He like a baby, sir, his mind
being as dwarfed as his body; but
because he is a man in years, be
insists that he is so in intellect,
and resent any interference by a
legally appointed guardian. Since
mother died he has never been un.
der The least restraint. He has
had hisown will and his own way
IiElasstythipg, and that makes il a
bard matter TO deal with him. He
recognizes no law Of obedience or
submission, as his will was never
broken or even subdued."
81 know it," replied my father.
"Some one is to have a trial with
him"
"rhe next morning be repeated
these words to my mother, and
added:
81 think I will drive into Hart.
ford, and ask Esquire Ellsworth
what his opinion is in regard to
the course that ought 10 be pursu.
ed with the poor fellow. | guess
you had better go with me. You
and Hannah will be wanting some.
thing new"
"But Hannah will have to stay
alone with baby, if 1 Co." hesita.
ted my mother.
"That she can do. Is she not
ten years old this very day2 No
possible harm can come to her, and
she can care for baby as well as his
mother herself" pleasantly said
my father.
u have often stayed alone part
Of a day." I said. "a whole day is
a little longer, but Isball not mind
it. l shall be busy washing the
dishes, sweeping the floor, aud
rocking the CRADLE"
"Ihat settled 1t, and they soon
drove away, leaving me with my
little charge.
"About the middle of the fore,
noon, as l was kneeling by the era
die, feeding the baby with bread
and milk, there was a rattle at the
outer door, and Immediately that
hunchback, Piugree, came walking
in. Oh, how frightened | wasl II
makes my flesh creep, even now
to think Of it, He was an ugly
mis'sbapen creature, with a repul'
sivo leer on his face, instead Of the
sweet, patient expression that
draws ones heart out TO most such
unfortunates.
"Where are your folks?" he ask
ed, in a sharp, cracked voice, that
startled me so that l spilled the
milk and chOked the baby.
Don't lie to me, now, for | know
where they are as well as you do .
"To Hartford" l managed ia
articulate, at the same time push
ing low chair toward the poor
creature, thinking to appease his
evident i'll hunor by politeness.
TO my horror he passed by the
chair, and seated himself in the
foot Of the cradle. The baby was
terrified, now, and giving up cough
ing, began to scream at the top Of
its voice. | hent over him to take
him in my arms, but the hunch
back Snarled with an evil leer.
"Let the young one alone until
you fetch me that tin trunk of pa
pers that my brother left here last
night. You saw the box, didn't
you.
II nodded my head, too much
frightened to speak.
"Where is it2" Quick, nowI"
II pointed to the cupboard, and
greatly TO the relief of the baby
and myself, he crossed the room.
@IockedI' he shouted, trying the
door. "open it, young onel"
"Father has the key" STAN.
mered.
"Think of some other way to
open II, then. How would your
father open it If tho key was lost?
Think, quick as you can, or will
kill the baby, wiring its slim, white
neck as | would a chickens; then
1 will set the house on fire and
burn up them confOunded notes
and you with them SO that you
won't blab."
"Amultitude ofconfused thoughts
rushed through my brain, and
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