The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1886-02-06
sHappy Bootles!" cried the old soldier.

"Happy Bootles!" cried the old soldier.
.sWhat a lot Of medals you've got!" cried
Miss Mignon. pressing closer :,
I'm afraid, sir, she is troubling you,
Bottles interposed ut this point, but secretly
delighted with the turn affairs had taken.
mo, no: let her see my medals. replied
the general, who was us proud OF MS medals
as Bottles of Miss Mignon.
Are you sir too:" Miss Mignon asked,
gazing at the handsome old man with more
respect.
What does she meanl" he cried.
Bottles laughed.
''Well, sir, she hears us speak 10 tho
colonel SO, that is ALL
Dear me. What remarkably intelli-
gent and attractive childr' exclaimed the
general, quietly. ''How old Is shes
''About two SIR
Now it happened that the old general had
a craze for absolute accuracy, and he caught
Bottles up with pleasant sharpness
''Oh! Does that mean more or less!'
Il can't say, sir. She is about 2. do
not know the date Of her BIRTH
'"Then she is not yourss'
II am not her father, sir, but ut present
she belongs to me-" Boobies said, smiling.
''I'm afraid"
'sNot at all, Tut perhaps she had better
90. What charming child" The last was
perhaps because Miss Mignon, finding her
time had come-and she never made fuss
on such occasions-put two soft arms round
his neck and gave him such a genuine hug Of
friendship that the old mans heart was quite
taken by storm.
80 Miss Mignon was carried Oh. looking
back to the last over Bootles' shoulder, and
waving her adieu to the handsome old man,
who had such fascinating array of clasps
and medals
II didn't quite undelstand-sUhNt relation
Is the child to hims" he asked of the colonel
''None whatever Ferrers found her late
one night in his he'd, with her wardrobe and
letter from her mother, written as If Fer
rers was the father. He, however, gave me
his word of honor that he knew nothing
about it, and some Of us think the whole
affair was simply plant, as he is known to
be very kind hearted fellow. Others, how
ever, Ferrers among them. think that note
and child were intended Tor one of the Others.
Nobody, however, would own to ii. and Fer
lers has kept the child ever since-I don't
suppose he would part with her now for any
thing. wanted him to send her to the
workhouse, but It's jolly bright little soul,
and am glad he did not"
''Then he is not lnarriedT
"Oh. dear no. He pays a woman ESD
year to look after her, and all her meals go
from the mess. In fact. he is bringing her
!. up as il she were his own; and the child
adores him-simply adores him."
II respect that man," said the general.
warmly. 1T is an awful thing for child
to be reared in q workhouse-awful."
eyes, BOTTLES feels very strongly on the
subject" replied the colonel, absently.
BY the time Bottles returned, the officers
had risen from the table. and he met the
guests and the seniors just entering the
anteroom.
''I'll shake hands with you, Capt. Ferrers,
if you please" said the general, cordially.
II agree with you that it is an awful thing
for achild to be brought up in a workhouse.
1t is subject upon which feel very strong
LIVERY strongly. A child reared as a
paupcr does not start the world with fair
chance. have met SO often, in the course
OF my military experience, with recruits
bred in the Unions--I never knew one dc
WE'LL No; paurerism is ground into them
and they are never able to shake it Off"
swell, sir, that is my opinion" said
Boobies, modestly. II hope, though, you
won't think my little maid is often so oh
trusive as to-day. She is really always
very good.'
"A charming little child" replied tht
general, as if hi meant it, too, and then Ii.
shook hands with Boobies again.