The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-06-21

zuOOA' 4AcIS BIG pauseu 10 dOU: II
repeat, l remember no sister. A dis
graceful marriage severed all ccnnec.
ton of birth. beg that you will
never alldde to that shameful mat. er
again"
Perhaps the episode alluded to was
we'll remembered by Josiah, for he
sighed several times In his after:diti-
ner solitude. He knew the mad-cap
girl he had sheltered for many years
beneath his roof was dead, but he
knew, too, that her child lived, and he
would fain have cherished it for the
mother g sake. =.
:. In the course of the evening Mrs.
Dobbs resumed the question of adop-
ton. Josiah was a peaceable man,
and he loved his wife; but this last
whim was q serious one, and would
inevitably entangle her in difficulties.
"Pm going to advertise at once"
she said.
Mr.. Dobbs looked very blank.
II should advise you to try some
ether plan that would give less pub
licity to the MATTER" he said mildly.
'That would bring any amount Of
begggars and inpostors about YOU"
Mrs. Dobbs looked over her crewel
work in an injured way.
There you are again, Josiah; always
trying to oppose me and make my
life miserable. l declare you contra
dict me every morning and evening
about something. Haven't l told
you before what a lonely life lead?
It's all very we'll for you, who go away
to tile city every day to make
money: YOU are just like all men
you are selfish to the CORE" With
this final female platitude, Mrs. Dobbs
began to whimper. Mr.. Dobbs felt
guilty Of heinous cruelty.
"A companion might--"he began.
The lady lifted herself from the sofa
cushion and Josiah quailed.
"A companion!" with whitening
sarcasm, ito make love to you, no
doubt. JOSIAH l know their schem-
ing ways. Didn't l have enough OF
Miss Griggs and her maneuvering
tricks, working you braces. the hussy,
and sending you Christmas cards.
How dare you mention a person Of
that sort alter all my sufTerings with
them?"
OF course in the end the lady pre-.
vailed, and Josiah pass;vely counte-
nanced thu adoption. Matters were
soon set in order for the fultillment OF
the latest whim. Yet verify her heart
failed her during the week follow
ing her advertisement. Her lonely con.
dition had never been so apparent to
her before as when she was beset by a
crew of parents andguardians bearing
some puny Or blighted infant for her
adoption. All sorts and condi-
tons OF men craved her pity for their
wretched children. She was bewildered
by the offensive bearing Of holder ap.
plicants. More than once Mrs. Dobbs
had to ring in her respectable butler
to get rid 81 some insistant parent
who endeavored to intimidate her in
to an immediate purchase. The re:
suit OF all this was a cessation OF the
daily advertisement. Mr.. Dobbs, of
course, was not informed infinitely OF
ali that went Oh, though an interview
with his butler one evening threw a
little light on things that had occurred.
Il wish to give q months warning
SIR said this gentleman in privacy
to his master.
"Why, now, Tinker, what is the
matter? Pm sure you've q very COM
Portable place, with boy to do all
your dirty work"
Tinker coughed and stammered q
few words before coming to the point.
"Well, now, sir, to speak plain IT'S
along ofthat wild crowd ofvasabonds,
rs Mrs. Dobbs she's seeing of every
day. Babies by the score, they're
brought by impident rascals such as
amt been accustomed to. One OF 'em
she wouldn't 90 out OF the gate till
called the police. It aint respecta BILE
III a gentleman's house, l do assure
you, sir"
Somehow or other Mr.. Dobbs man.
aged to sooth the outraged feelings OF
his man servant, and prevailed upon
him to put up awhile longer with the
Inconvenience OF the situation. The
worthy Josiah was concerned for the
protection of his wife.
"How are you getting on with your
business, my love?" inquired Mr..
Dobbs that evening.
"Oh, pretty WE'LL" ssld the lady
cheerfully, yet persistently avoiding
her husbands eyes. II find it very
difficult to make up my mind; and I
Want a pretty little boy, not quite a
baby, with no disgraceful connections
to hang about him. No doubt l shall
see one to suit me in q few days"
The few days passed without further
nllusion to the subject, and the follow
ing curious advertisement appeared
in all the daily papers:
WANTED.-For immediate adoption, a
little boy between 2 and 4 years old Must
be healthy and pretty and sound in body
and mind. The parents or relatives must
rcnounce all claim on him forever. lie will
be comfortably provided for in the future
Apply daily to Messrs. Griffham and Grab
ham. Solicitors, 201 Parliament street,
Westminster.
Alter the appearance OF this adver-
tisement the persecution OF Clarence
Villa died away, and only now and
again q respectable man or woman,
leading little boy, was heard
inquirine for Mrs. Dobbs'
residence of a local policeman. But
the lady was obdurate to all claims
made on her pity. See had hardened
her heart to destitute cases; and pen
niless widows or consumptivo fathers
met with scant ceremony at her
hands if their offspring were not de-
sirable. After this had gone for a
fortnight or more, Mrs Dobbs one day
visited Messrs. Griffham and Grab
ham during business hours.
II have come about the child, Mr..
Grifham," she said, going at once to
her point. "How is it you have sent
me none that are pretty or interest,"
ing?" From the force of habit, Mrs.
Dobbs was apt to speak dictatorial-
~ to strangers.
my dear madam, pray remember
children are not made to ORDER"
Mrs. Dobbs WINGED. IL see I must
except no assistance from you, sir, -
she said loftily. No doubt my hus-
bands opposition to my object has
influenced you, I will tronble 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 aban-