Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-12-22

lace, ana whose companion-a stout
jolly. ilorid-faced gcntlcman-possess ed
bushy head of hair. aud beard of silvery
whitencss. ia Mt exclamation escaped
the lady; then. turning to the gentle.
man, she VIII spered:
90. ook! The poor little lamb"
''ShaIl | speak 20 the ushcr:" ques-
toned he.
One swift glance at the pa'e, little face
a1d the lady shook her head, answering:
mo, mol Let him be, the dear"
Many times during the service the
lady's dark eyes strayed to the little
sleeper, and once when the child stirred
uneasily her daintily gloved hand softly
stroked his pretty curls
A swish-a rustle-thc congregation
was DISMISSED !. The lady of the rosy
cheeks and white hair drew her sealskin
about her. but her gaze rested linger-
ingly upon the sleeping cEild.
well, damef' and a merry twinkle
g'istened in the speakers eyes as he ad-
ded "Looks as if a turkey bone might
reli.h, don't hc!"
BLESS his little heart, ycs-and, oh,
don't you think we night"
And so, what was Bob's astonishment
for he had fingered round, amusing
| himself as best he could 10 see a lady
and gentleman come forth from the
church, followed by a footman bearing
the sleeping Johnnie, carefully rolled up
in handsome carriage rug. Drawn up
to the curb was stylish turnout. into
which the lady and gentleman stepped.
the footman placing Johnnie on the seat
beside him; then, as the lackey swung
himself on to the box, away started the
carriage down the street, Bob yelling
out:
Jimmy cracky! if l don't believe
Johnne's struck lie"
Eating after the carriage, lie chung on
behind, taking good care, however, to
keep out of sight of the driver ard foot
man.
| soon they drew up before handsome
. house, whose wide porch wore an air of
CHEEKY welcome. Bob, wiggling himself
down from his perch as the door closed
upon Johnnie and his newly-found
friends, CALCULATED, somewhat rucfully:
J. "Here's u gol wonder what 'ull turn
up next? Anyhow, l hope it 'ull be
something soft fur the little 'un. He
amt calculated TO rough it, like me-"
/ A moment later 'thc little 'un" was
gazing wonderingly at his luxurious sur
roundngs, his little hands softly patting
the old gold brocade of the lounge on
which he lay. TWAS every bit true, he
thought the gold furniture and pictures
and big fires and "Oh!" he exclaimed,
as the rosy'cheeked lady came smiling
toward him, saying:
"Well, my little man, are we ready for
turkey and pudding"
eyes, please, ma'am, Mrs. Sanity
Claws" answered Johnnie, cycling the
lady curiously, as he added, sagely: "Bob
said there was woman in everythin',
and he guessed there'd be Mrs. Sanity
Claws"
The lady laughed merrily as chuckle
issued from the region of an easy chair
and a voice remarked:
Zone for you, Dame"
"Who's Bob, dear'" questioned the
lady.
"Why, he's-Bob. He takes care of
me. You're Mr.. Sanity Claws, amt you3"
continued Johnnie, gazing knowingly at
the stout gentleman.
"Hey9 Why? What makes you
think sou
"Cause -'cause--" and slipping
dow from the sofa, the child exclaimed,
eagerly: "Oh, Mr.. Sanity Claws, please
won't you bring Bob and me some
thin'9-'cause we never has nothin'.
Yves poor folks, bat we amt bad, we
amt"
"Well, WE'LL" somewhat huskily
spoke the gentlemen, land what is your
name?"
AS the child, with look of surprise,
replied "Johnne," the lady cried in
eager tones:
"Oh, Ben. Our baby's name, and the
pretty curls and blue eyes, so like. Isn't
it almost as if God had sent him in ex.
change for our darling9"