The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1886-11-26

Dobbs was apt to speak dictatorially
to strangers.
my dear madam, pray remember
children are NOT made to order"
Mrs Dobbs WINGED. II see I must
expect no assistance from you, sir,
she said loftily. ''No doubt my hus-
bands opposition to my project has in
fuenced you. l will trouble you no
further in this matter. You may con-
slider 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 Bit
ter thoughts on her hOmeward way
that day. Providence or fortune was
against her success. That evening Mr..
Dobbs came home with an unusual de-
gree of haste. and of a cheerful mien.
my love- said, tipping over the
dining-room mat, 1--WE found a child
for you
Mrs. Dobbs looked up coldly. 'Yt's
impossible 1 shall like it, she said,
perversely. ''No one wants to part
with a 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 dead. "
''What about the mothers" queried
Mrs. DObbs cautiously.
Josiah redeemed, stammering little.
| ''She-ah, poor souls dead too.
| This is no beggar's brat. He is we'll
born, Dorothy, on one side. can
| give you every proof"
The next day the child was brought
/ r-fT- I T-EA = l.,
| by a clerk from Mr.. Dobbs' office. He
was poorly dressed but a handsome
! little lad, lively and spirited. He was
not at all shy, and addressed himself
freely to the pug and parrot. The pip
| ing 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, chattering about the
things around him.
"What is your nameP" questioned the
lady.
Harry" answered the boy, readily.
But nothing more could be elected
| from him. He did not seem to under
stand that he could have a second
name. He was but baby-boy, scarce
/ ly three.
/ In the afternoon Mrs Dobbs tele-
/ graphed to her husband that he
must make arrangements for her to
| keep the child a day or two. 1t
would not be necessary to send any one
/ to fetch him that evening. The day
/ passed quickly, with little feet patter
ing beside her, exploring the wonders
/ of garden and greenhouses. Towards
seven o'clock Mrs. Dobbs began to
| look anxiOusly for her spOuse's return.
/ She had quite decided that she would
| keep the child, but still there were
questions to be asked-prellminarie to
| be settled. The little boy must be hers
entirely. None must ever claim him,
or interfere with his welfare. Mr..
Dobbs came leisurely up the garden at
his usual hour, carrying his fish-bag.
His stolid face changed a little when
he looked through the window and saw
/ the child on his wife's knee.
"He is a pretty boy, Dorothy" he
said nervously when he came near.
"a darling little boy. l mean to
keep him, Josiah" she said, gently
disengaging the chubby hands from her
chain. ''Will you stay with me,
| Harry?''
The child laughed gleefully, tossing
back his curls.
''Stay with 90; pity, pity flowers,
he cried, clapping his hands.
Tell me all you know about him,
Josiah WHAT'S his parentage, and will
his nearest relatives surrender all claim
upon himP"
Josiah shifted uneasily on his seat.
He had the appearance of man OPP
/ pressed with guilt.
HE is an orphan" said he, looking
/ L. I, =
$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,
if to any one. "
The lady put down the child from
her knee. His large blue eyes gazed
in wonder at this sudden rejection.
''What is the boys name?" said Mrs.
Dobbs, breathlessly.
Henry" he reioined slowly.
''But, Henry what?" she asked more
sharply.
..Henry Morrison. He is your sis.
ter's child-a friendless orphan now.
God help him, if you don't"
Mrs. Dobbs fell back on the sofa
cushion, and covered her face with her
hands. The tears were falling through
them when little fingers essayed to
move them.
HAS 90 been naughty? Don't ky"
Perhaps the lady was very conscious
of her own naughtiness, for she cried
still more at this appeal, drawing the
child into her embrace. There was
never any more doubt about the adOp-
ton. Henry Morrison calls Mrs. Dobbs
mother at this day, and Josiah is a lit
tie less generous towards asylums and
hospitals. There will be very pretty
penny by and by for his adopted son.
ArgoSy.