Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-09-17

IduCt. liz odt oOiituiJ III hio hesio
clearinghouse room, trying to realize
it.
"If the poor child hadn't me" he
said to himself, sit could apply
for admission to some institution. If
l hadn't it l could but Lord that
is not the idea. must decide what
/ am to do"
Tom had solemnly promised to care
for new born baby of his only sister,
who had just died.
He tried to mediate. He had
often before, during his life, made
the same attempt, but had never to
any extent succeeded. He did not
seem like one born to take things into
very serious consideration. But this
case seemed to require it. No good
Joke came to the rescue. Tom really
had never in his twenty-five years
felt such an awful sense of gloom.
His natural hilarity could only sug-
gest to his mind the rather poor con.
ISOLATION that he chad at least over
night to consider on the business"
Here Tom was Interrupted by
knock on the door-an occurance un-
usal enough in the little upper room
where he had long since ceased regard
ing even the bell-pull as resort in
any extremity, so completely was he
accustomed to be let alone.
Before Tom could respond to the
knock it was followed by cry of
mingled entreaty and command, such
as only hungary babies know how to
emit.
"I've fetched the poor little dear
around, sir !" remarked woman
whose marvellous rotundity of person
showed to fine advantage as she wav-
ed her screaming parcel as though it
were incense wherewith to purify
Toms bachelor-room.
GOOD Lord !" he calculated.
YOU'D ought to get cow" said
nurse, still brandishing her charge.
"There! there It's got wind this
minute, mixin' milk. Have you
found a nurse, sir? And baby wants
clothes"
"It's got on too many clothes now"
said Tom. 81 think that's what it's
crying about; see how red and hot it
is !"
Poor inexperienced Tom! he had
offended the woman-cast recklessly
overheard his only anchor!
She dropped her shrieking charge
upon Toms bed, and started towards
the door.
Every well, sir !" she said solemnly,
81 see you know all about babies--I
may go"
"Oh oh !" gasped Tom, "do not
In the name of mercy do not! 1t
shall have clothes! Why do you say
l want a nurse? Are you not one !?
l assure you know nothing, absolute
ly nothing of babies | never to my
knowledge touched one"
Real despair is impressive. The
woman was mortified.
II am, sir" she said, turning con-
fidentially to Tom, "a monthly l
an willing to stay with you as long
as can. But, sir, person in my
position is no dependence. My sum-
mons may come any day or hour. 1t
is impossible to calculate. Day and
night is all the same to me. There
amt on earth to me thing so inscru-
table as this impossibility of calcula-
ing when we shall be sent for. I'll
work for you while ! can, sir, but
when my call comes, no earthly thing |
can keep me-"
Tom took all these remarks in
religious point of view. He felt a
vague fear lest, as he mentally en-
pressed it, there might be "a bee in
the old lady's bonnet"
ooh" cheer up! cheer up, Aunty,"
he said, "you look hale and hearty.
You've overtired yourself with my
poor sister If you'll stay and take
charge of that little thing for me, I'll
risk you getting summons
"Your poor sister found great con-
ISOLATION i'll your promise for her child"
remarked Mrs. Primmins pathetical-
ly. ats desperate resort leaving
baby to young man, but in her
strait she was fain to catch at any
straw"
"Can you" said Tom, looking
gloomily at his new silent prize on the
bed, "can you give me any advice
You couldn't have waited till to-mor-
row before bringing it, could your"
he added half reproachfully.
"Of course not" said Mrs. Prim.
Minis. "Well! you're no account
Now let me think"
do, in Heavens name," calculated
Tom.
Mrs. Primmins placed her arms
akimbo.
Tom feverently prayed for light ON
the meditations.