Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-09-23

cared MN:
1T can't be possible
And his eyes opened wide. A chIld
IN that arbor! A very shall red child
wrapped in shawl? A child, abandon
ed there, was placed beside the wall.
1T is impossibie!'
But then sharp cry struck his ears,
the cry Of the child, frightened by
sight of hin.
Bernadon stood amazed. What was
to be done with this packageF He
looked up and down the street, under
the wall. lie saw no one. 1t took him
a long time 70 decide what to do.
The little one continued crying. He
took 1t up, and hesitstirg Il norenH,
passed it into the street.
Yes, I will leave It cut here some
where, he said to himself. But people
came along and he dared not leave it.
The child, calmed now, looked up at
him with dull gravity, 1t might be 10
months old, perhaps 6, possibly II; TIE
old man was no connoisseur of yotng
children.
lie laid the little one down Near the
end of the wall, bns a carriage came
rolling along.
'Ha" he exclaimed, 'suppo7c that
vehicle should pass over it..
He growlcd Il little and then took
the child up in his arm again.
He noticed its hair, beautiful blonde
hair, just beginning to curl. How very
soft this hair! 1t is "a pleasure for an
old man to strckt it.
1 will carry it to the police station,
he decided
But suddenly, during the journey,
the little enc sad something. Yes,
something very strange indeed.
Papa.
1t said this with such a strange
voice. Rcrnadon began to consider.
And his he lrt, yes, his heart, which
he had not felt beat for 50 many
Years
But these reflections We're arrested
by his arrival at the police statioi" He
entered mechancaly. He was Qu"s-
toned but he heard nothing. His ears
were filled with music, very sweet
music, whose onl Y word was Para.
i want to know demanded one Of
the guardians of the peace, what you
wish Us to do with that child. If you
have found it and wish to leave it with
us, do so and 90 your way.
Hey: Leave it with YOU? demanded
Bernadon.
And the music rang continually IN
his ears.
No indeed he said.
And he departed, pressing the infant
to his breast.
Thus 1t was that Bernadon found an
abandoned Child, loved it almost in
spite Of himself, raised It, and thus
committed, to his shame, to his JOY, as
he termed it, an act of infdelltv
against Celest.ne.
Now, several years alter these occur
rences, Bcrnadon suffered severely one
spring morning.
All. it was terrible Bernadon was
loaded down with debts contracted for
! the maintenance Of the little one. He
had vainly sought, invented, reflected,
but no means had been found to keep
! both Crlestine and the child. One or
I the other must be sacrificed.
Then, with his ewes full of tears, he
compared them for a long time this
spring morning. The terrible moment
had come. He must choose between
levy on his house and sending the lit
tie one to the home for foundlings.
It was lugubrlous business. lie
looked snccessively at the eyes oil the
child and the windows of his pet Celes.
tine, the child's har and the headgear
of the old house. He found them all
charming all adorable, indispensable to
his old age. He Wavered between the
two, unable to conclude which was
preferable, equally happy with either.
All ut once the little one threw her
arms about his neck and m'tfmured
something in his ear.
what did you say demanded Der
nadon,
4 said YOU are my papa.
All, he hastated no longer. No, in
deed. Houses cannot speak. Suddenly
turning his back on Celestine, not dar-
inc to look at her for fear she might
suspect his treason, he crossed the
street and directed his steps toward
the little hotel OIL the left; with his
heart on fire, he went to seek the man