The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-12-25

and gentleman come forth from the
church, followed by footman bearing
the sleeping Johnnie, carefully rolled up
in handsome carriage rug. Drawn up
to the curb was a 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
Johnnie's struck lie ~
Darling after the carriage, he chung on
behind, taking good care, however, to
keep out of sight of the driver and foot
man.
Soon they drew up before n handsome
house, whose wide porch wore an air of
cherry welcome. Bob, wiggling himself
down from his perch as the door closed
upon Johnnie and his newly found friends,
calculated, somewhat ruetully:
Here't a CO. wonder what 'ull
turn up next? Anyhow, hope it 'ull be
something soft fur the little I'm. He amt
calculated to rough it, like me-"
A moment later "the little un" was
gazing wonderinglv at his luxurious sur
roundings, his little hands softly pa,tng
the old gold brocade Of the lounge on
which he lay. 1t was every bit true, he
thought-the gold furniture and pictures
and big tires-and son :" he exclaimed
as the ro>y-cheeked lady came smiling
toward him, saving:
well, my little man, are we ready for
turkey and pudding -
Yes, please, ma'am. Mrs. Sanity
Claws" answered johnnie, eyeing the
Lady curou>ly, as he aided, sagely: Bob
said there was !. woman in everythin',
and he guessed there'd be Mrs. Sanity
Claws
The lady laughed mrrriy as chuckIc
issued from the region OF an easy chair
and a voice remarked:
One 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 YOU"
continued johnnie, gazing knowingly at
the stout gentleman.
Hey: Why: What makes YOU
think 50 -
"Cause-'cause-," and slipping down
from the sofa, the child exclaimed, cage
ly: "Oh, Mr.. Sanity Claws, please won't
you bring Bob and me somethin' p
cause We never has no,hin'. We's poor
folks, but we amt bad, We amt
well, WE'LL" somewhat hu>kily spoke
the gentleman, ''and what is your
name:'
.As the child, with look of surprise,
replied Johnnie" the lady cried in ca.
ger tones:
son, BIN. Our baby's name, and the
pretty c'irls and bue eyes, SO like. Isn't
1t almost as if God had sent him iii ex-
change for our darliug:'
. 1t YOU pleas sir, there's a boy what
in>i,'s on s-eln. YOU. Says his names
Bob, sir Delivering himself of this
IN. ssage, the servant awaited his masters
pleasure
ats Bob. My Bob" uttered the
child, deiishtcdiv.
"Show him up" was the order.
Bob paused upon the threshold of the
luxnriousv furnished room, feeling his
dilapidated condition for the first time,
but Johnnie running eagerly toward his
Young friend, drew him forward as the
gentleman said kindly:
''Come in. my lad, and tell US what
you want"
" 1t amt nothin, sir, only | see yer
takin' Johnnie, an | just followed t. know
what yer was mndn' to do. Cause I
told his mother afore she died that I'd
try an keep an eye on the little un, as
there wasn't nobody else to do u. She
was alters good TO me, she was, an a lady
urou.r too If she d1n't rir Out tina