Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-07-27
MRS. D0BBS' WHIM.

Mr. and Mrs. Dobhs were . worthy couple
without children, and perhaps for this reason
Mrs Dobhs had leisure for complaint She
practice,i the ar. Of murmuring with as steady
a persistence Is q priraa donna her scales
Josiah suffered her discontenrs with more
than the ordinary patience Of an EXEMPLARY
husband
As years went on Josiah philosophically
gave up wishing for an heir, seeing his Doro-
thy bad grown portiy and middle sgel. He
subscribed largely TO tie various chartties,
not having a legitimate outlet for his human
kindness. A philoprosenitive organ innpelled
him toward children's hospitals. Why, said
he, should not his generation benefit instead
OF thsy that were TO come aiterf
I'm going to adopt a child, Josiah Now,
it's no use your oontraiicting me, because
l won't listen" said the lady one evening
over dessert. She spoke aggressively, crack
ing the she'll Of walnut with decision She
peevishly found fault with the fish and the
salad, and had slapped her pug for no earthly
reason. II Josiah had been less Sow be
would have opined that storm was brew
ing. There was silence for a minute after
Mrs. Dobbs bad opened fire.
~Aren't you going 10 speakT she said at
length.
"A child remarked Josiah. dropping his
fat chin into his shirt My love, that is
surely project requiring very serious con-
alteration"
Mrs Dobbs tossed her head ominously.
Every inch of lace in her cap seemed sud-
denly to have acquired starch, While the
gilt ornaments thereon scintillatcd fiercely.
~When | say thing | mean it, as you
know, Josiah. | have considered that you
indulge your hobbies without restraint. 1t Is
high time my benevoienee found something
to occupy it.
Josiah drank up his wine slowly, When he
spoke again it was in subdued tone.
"Dorothy, my dear, how often have re-
minded you in the past three years that your
poor sister-left childa As have said be-
fore, it is your clear duty"-
aMr Dobbsr' The lady rose and swept her
black satin skirts to the door. Here she paused
to add; Il repeat, l remember no sister.
disgraceful marriage severed all connection
of birth beg that you will never ellude to
that shameful matter again.
Perhaps the episode alluded to was well re-
meinbereI by Josiah, for he sighed several
times in his after dinner solitude He knew
the madcap girl he hal 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 mothers sake.
In the course of the evening Mrs. Dobbs re-
sumed the question of adoption. Josiah was
peaceabe man, and be loved his wife; but
this last within was a serious one, aud would
inevitably entange her in difficulties
am going to advertise at once, she said
Mr.. Dobhs looked very blank.
II should advise you to try some other plan
that would give less publicity to the NATTER"
he said mildly. That would bring any
amount Of beggars and impostors about
you"
Mrs Dobbs looked over her crcwel work in
an injured way.
"There You are again, Josiah; always try
ing TO oppose me and make my life miserable.
! declare you contradict me every morning
and evening about something. Haven't told
you before what a lonely life | lead' It's all
very well for you, who go away TO the city
every day and enjoy yourself making money.
You are iut like al men-you are seifish to
the core" With this final female platitude,
Mrs Doibs began to whimper. Mr.. DoDbs
felt guilty OF heinous cruelty.
"A companion mightr--hc began.
The lady lifted herself from the sofa cush-
ion and josiah quaied.
"A compnnion!' with whitening sarcasm
ITO make love to you, no doubt, Josiah.
know their sche;ning ways. Didn't | have
enough Of Mi Gfi5rs and her naneuvering
tricks, working you braces, the hussy, and
sending you Christmas cards How dare
you mention person Of that sort after all
my sufferinss with them'"
or course in the end the lady prevailed,
and Josiah passively countenanced the adop-
ton Matters were soon set in order for the
fulfillment of the latest wllm. Yet verify
her heart failed her during the week follow
| ing her advertisement. Her lonely condition
had never been so apparent to her before as
when she was beset by a crew of parents and
| guardians bearing some puny or biighted in
FAINT for her adoption. All sorts and condi-
tons Of men craved her pity for their
wretched children. She was bewillered by
the offensive bearing of holder applicants.
| More than once Mrs Dobbs had to ring in
her respet table butler to get rid of some in
sistent parent who eudeavored to intimidate
her into an immediate purchase. TIE result
| of all tbs was cessation Of the daily adver-
tisement Mr. Dobbs, Of course, was not in
| formed infinitely of all that went on, though
an interview with his butler one evening
threw little light on things that had oc-
CURED.
| Il wish TO give a months warning, sir"
said this gentleman i'll privacy to his master.
| "Why, now, Tinker. what is the matter!
! I'm sure you've n very comfortable place,
/ with a hoy to 10 all your dirty work"
Tinker courhed and stammered few
words before coming TO the point. swell,
] now, sir, to speak plain, it's along OF that
wild crowd II vasahonds, as Mrs. Dobbs
she's seeing Of every day. Babies, by the
score, they're brought by impiient rascals
! such as | amt been accustomed TO. One Of
| 'em she wouldn't 60 out Of the gate till I
called the police. It amt respectable in
gentleman's house, 90 assure you, ST.
| Somehow or other Mr. Dobbs managed to
soothe the outraged feelings OF his man SER
| want. and prevailed upon hin. to put up =
while 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 bust
ness, my love" inquired Mr. Dobbs that
| evening.
| "Oh, pretty WE'LL SAID the lady cheerfuily,
yet-pefsisteutly avoiding hei husbands eye
| Al find it very difficult to make up my mind
and want pretty little boy not quite a
baby. with no dlsgraceful connections to hang
| about lim No doubt shall see one to suit
me in few days"
| The few days passed without further al
fusion to the subject, and the following
curious advertisement appeared in all the
| daily papers:
Wanted-For immediate adoption. little boy
| between and years old. Must be healthy and
| pretty. and sound in body ami mind The pa
! rents or relatives must renounce nil claim upon
| him forever He will be comfortably provided
| for in the future. Apply daily to Nessrs. Griff-
ham & Graham, solicitors, 2Ol Parliament street,
Westminster
| After the appearance of this advertisement
| the persecution Of Clarence villa died away,
and now and again a respectable man or wo-
man, leading little boy, was heard inquir-
ing for Mrs Dobbs' residence Of local police
| man But tn. lady nas nhiuraff To all