Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-04-22

~ nar tnaf mss foliy that has the
blue Maltese cat. and the red cardinal
birdR' said Robbie well. il amt a
bad idea She gave me some bread
and Jam the night / got lost blackberry
ing on the hills, and told me such nice
story about Fortunatns and his Purse
when ! was resting on her sofa"
-Yes. and what do You thinkp'
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-kniyes. be-
cause she says all children ought to have
a Chrisfmas.'
"She's tumpr' declared Robbie,
pounding both hands down upon the
table II declare I've most a mind TO
marry her myself But look here,
jamie, amt you going TO help fellow
with these long-division sums, before
papa calls us in to reciteP"
And then the noise of four talking to-
gethcr drowned the sense of what they
said. and Mr.. Mellen, smiling to him
self, pushed back his pen and Sermon
paper.
..Out Of the mouths of babes and
sucklings,'r he said mildly. "Who
knows but that these little ones voices
have been sent 10 guide my footsteps
arightp 1t was a sweet and gracious
idea, that Of preparing a Christmas for
the little homeless ones who have no
parents to take tender thought for them.
III think | viii go out and quiet my
troubled mediiations with 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 a sensible straight
forward man. who comprchended none
of the sinuous wiles of society. He
knocked at the door and walked IL.
All looked cosy and comfortable there,
from the big geranium in the window
and THE Maltese cat on the rug, to the
shaded lamp and the work-basket be-
side the prim little spinster .
And Miss Polly herself, with her
thick brown hair coiled in q knot at the
back of her head, and faint carnation-
like bloom on her cheek, was not the
least attractive element of the scene.
$50 these are the dolls for the little
waits and strays of humanity-ehp z
said the parson, looking kindly at the
maiden lady.
Eyes said Miss Polly. .But ]
don't know how you heard anything
about it, Mr.. Mellen. 1t was to be q
profound secret"
II will keep it, most profoundly
said the parson.
.You see, blushingly explained Miss
Polly, Il am fond of children, and it's 8
real pleasure to me to do anything fol
the little things. I've often thought
should like to adopt child"
"Miss Polly" said the parson bluntly
'.that is the very business I have come
to you .::aout. What do you say t.
adopting fourp'
"Fourpn repeated Miss Polly.
Yes" said the parson. "Mine! Ant
their father thrown into the bargain
What do you say, Miss PollyP VIII yol
marry mep''
II s-rm afraid ] am not good enough,
said Miss Polly, with a little gasp, as
the tide Of unexpected happiness wa
! surging nj. into her very throat.
IF ever there was q good Christian
Polly, you are one,' said the parson
.Or else" putting his hand lightl
upon the tiny heap Of dolls. lyon neve
would have taken all this trouble TO
Christ's orphaned little ones. Only sa
YES Polly. That is all Iwant."
And Polly said ssYes. ~
! Mrs. Gri6bage was quite incredulou
when she came home and heard th
\ news.
! II thought it was to be Georgiett
Fullerton, sure enough" said shi
.But how ever came Mr.. Mellen
I think Of youp'
81 am sure don't know, said Mii
!, Polly with humility.
] So. like the old-time fairy stories, OF
tale ends s.And they lived happil
ever after.n For Mrs. Mellen was
Z model stepmother, and the four youn
J ! rebels at the parsonage loved h'
Y heartily.
!. This was Miss Polly Pritchard's la
: Christmas in loveless solitude. Ft
!. when the next Christmas came she W;
Y the happy little mistress Of the parsonag
A.s