The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1888-12-27
SELECTED.
A HAPPY NEW YEAR.


cheer. The savory odors which came
from the Kitchen where mamma was
giving directions to tie Young cook,
leaving Master Fred in one of the dining
room windows where he could sing and
shout to his hearts content, suggested
it, and the pretty evergreen and holly
branches around the room confirmed it.
More than all, Baby Fred, his blue eyes
sparkling and his yellow cnrls shining
like gold, was shouting to every pa>ser-
by, waving his chubby hands: Navy
kismas, Happy Moo car
Nv hat lovely picture he makes -
thought the fond father, who was hasten-
ing up the street, his eyes 50 intent on
the dmpled cherub that he did not notice
the slender form leaning against the area
railing till she sank AT his feet mo-
ment later, with his helpless burden, he
was within the cherry room, Where he
laid the sensecss form ON sofa, while
Mrs, Goodwin, his wife and he young
servant FASTENED forward to give assis-
lance.
~ hat is it, Harry asked his wife
loosening the ties of the hood and chat
ng the white cold face
"Why, mistress, it's the pretty pale
lady IN the next block who goes to Green
wood 50 often. Her baby lies there, and
they do say she mourns herself to death.
Harry knew her. Didn't you hear him
calling To herr said Moral earnestly.
Meanwhile Mr., Goodwin had removed
the lady's wraps and both he and his
wife were applying restoralives without
avail.
Look at those slender white hands,
The fingers are prickcd to the bone - said
Norah Poor thing! She is dressed
like Il lady, but she looks half starved.
After long time the lady gasped for
breath, the lids opened and she whisper
ed What! Where am | 2
"With friends" said Mrs. Goodwin.
aDrink this and lie quite still and by
and-by we can talk" She pressed to her
lips cup of chocolate, which sh" swal-
lowed INTERESTINGLY, and n few moments
later sat up looking about her in Devil
dered manner.
Happy Moo ear, yady,' said Baby Fred,
and then she answered II see it all now.
Tins is the little cherub whom | was
watching when-but thai is all know.
thank YOU for your kindness and will in
intfude no longer. and she rose to de
part.
"Wil your friends be anXioust said
Mrs Goodwin.
Il have no friends" the young girl re-
piled sadly.
"Than YOU will remain with us Mrs.
Goodwin said positively. bring on the
dinner, Norah." This seemed to decide
the stranger.
you are very, very kind" She said.
land YOU know nothing at all about me.
We will get acquainted then, sad
Mrs Goodwin, smiling brightly while the
pale face of the stranger WAS CHASTITY
We will cross the river To palatial
home in the sister city. Two years ago
FRI m this luxurious home the JOY and
sunshine had gone out The only chlld
lovely daughter who had never known
AN ungratitied wish, had eloped with an
intriguing clerk, who had persuaded her
that he lived only IN the sunshine OF her
smiles. They mad returned home lew
hours later. flushed and confident OF
speedy reconciliation, only to meet an
angry dismissal aud the assurance OF the
outraged father that the undntliul dan@h-
ter should never inherit a dollar of his
wealth. Thus they had parted, aud the
two Years which had elapsed had been
spent in wandering in foreign binds ne
fast falling health of Mrs. Morgan, the
bom,. and the hone of meeting the lost
danubtnr "a bplnrd and inyiporated the
invalid that when She reached her home
.ha was stronoer than when she left it
two Irars ago. No word was spoken of
me absent one. and Mr. Morgan did not
realize how the life of the mother was
bound no in the life of her child till he
CHANGED to read aloud of a collision which
had occurred in BROOKLYN Among tie
names of the sufferers was that of Be-
nart
at is Alice" Mrs. Morgan said, and
she tainted quite away
And this was New Year eve in the fine
old mansion where u luxurious appoint
ments seemed to defy the approach of
snrrnv Mr. Morgan sat with his face
hurled in his hands in the parlor, think
ind of that dreadful time when it became
certain that Alice had left her home to
Income the wife OF a worthless adven-
turer. This was the sad anniversary,
and even now the consequences of that
deed shrouded the home with the dark
ness of midnight. message from his
wife aroused him. He went directly To
her room. She was lying white anu
dcath-lke on her bed, and motioned him
to "A seat beside her.