The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1886-12-24


Our amicable pair of lunatlcs have
adopted another child"
"Thomas" | exclaimed IN doubt
ing amazcment.
ayes, saw 10 Jones to day. de
told me that a neighbor 'widOw.wo.
man had died lately, leaving sever.
al children, the youngest about the
age of the founding. No one was
willing to take it, and he was APP
piled to-; he said his wife was
right in for it, for she said, Little
Jo'd be better to be raised with
another boy ; being the youngest,
and amongst so many gals, he
might be split"
6Tbomas," | exclaimed, emotion
ally, aim going to get up q Christ
mas. box for the Jones children !"
"a good idea," he replied unemo.
tionally.
This was two months before
Christmas; but 1 regret to say
that, like too many good ideas, it
was not developed Christians
came and went. The kind thought
shed its blossom, but bore no fruit.
A year later, Mrs. CrOwder sent
for me to come to her house to see
the orphans. Circled around the
bright wood fire of the slttingIoom
were Mrs. Jones and her "chillun."
Mrs. Jones with proud satisfaction,
introduced them each by name.
"This is AdeIla, Mrs. Norton.
This is Altoona. They's ten, going
on 'leyen. This is Monte = her
names Montmoreuci, but that's SO
long it's onliandS. Inever did take
to 'Rincy, SO We call her Monte.
: This is 10, the one your sister got
US. You wouldn't knowed him,
I would yef Aud this Is jim, the
last one we've took
Strange to say, the children all
looked like Mrs. Jones. Deep blue
eyes, round, rosy faces, open coun-
tenances, they looked up fearlessly
into your face, AZ they politely
shook hands. They could all "look
you in the eye" Not a downcast
expression on one of their faces.
They were comfortably clad-no at
tempt at fnery neat calico dresses,
gingham sun bOnuets, substantial
wooden socks, warm shoes and
stockings. Mrs. Jones wore q green
gingham sun.bonnet, a plain calico
dress and "a long jean ulster.
"Mr. CrOwder axed us to bring
the chillun here circus-day to see
the procession, but when We got
here, there was sich a passel of
folks jist outside of the gate, says
to 10, III We opens this gate aud
goes in, the other folks wouldn't
know that We wos invited, aud
they foller in, aud be heap of
bother to Mr.. Crowder's folks; so
don't let's go in"
IL expected you," said Mrs. Crow
der, sweetly shut it was certainly
very considerate in you to act SO,
Mrs. Jones'"
"You see, Mrs. Crowder," she
returned complacently, "pm train
ed TO consider. 10 aud me have
taken these chillun. You know
we've got 10 try to keep their souls
clean as well as their faces. 1t
takes a heap of considering, but
I'm paid back. Pm healthier and
hammer than | used to be, a heap.
Why, my cod liver oil used to cost
nigh on to thirty dellArs a year.
Now, | amt no time to take phys
ic."
Mrs. Crowder found a bright
advertising card to give each child.
They were delighted, but 10, jr.,
now really handsome boy, grown
beyond my belief, went up to Monte
to appropriate her card, too. Monte
was on her good behavior, and she
meckly prepared to surrender it;
but Mrs. Jones, although talking
With all her might, had an eye on
her brood and saw the by-play.
"No, no, Jo," she said decisively,
"yOu mustn't take M0nte's card,
you's got Que OF your own. Look
here yours is a boys card, it's
got boss on it, y
Having thus, with combined
authority and tact, happily divert
ed 10, jr., from bis aggression, she
turned TO me With a confidential
wink and said:
eThaps Jo-always a-grabbin'.
The chillun's sorter split him. IL
seemed reasonable to me that we'd
better tako Jim TO help raise 10
right. 'Tw'an't good for him to be
the onliest boy amongst so many
girls. Ibelieve JOS got blood, for
10 nv eye he looks like it, Her
face bea with pride. / turned
toward the child. The handsome
Is formed, sturdy little fellow, the
bright, roguish face and curled
locks, did give credeuce to her
idea. He might have belonged to
proudest of the land.
"JO's my big responsibility"
continued Mrs. Jones. 81 knows
whar the others comes iron, aud
what they naturally has in 'em (;
bat Jo, / hain't no knowledge OF
bis folks TO help me out as 70 how
to work With him. I've just got to
watch aud wait. / can't help be-
ing sorter tenderer to him, Pm 30
worried be might break out wrong.N
allow many children did yOn
nurse through their tecthing, Mrs.
Jones r
IrThree; Adella, Monte, aud 10.