Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-05-24

1--WE were nearly distracted on our
return" said the young lady, "when
We missed our darling; but aninquiry
at the station house sent us here.
The officer also showed us your ad-
yertisement. Where is our dear
child?f
"He is here" answered, ''under
my mothers care, and, / am happy
to say, doing we'll"
An unmistakable look of disap-
pointment crossed thetaces ofmy WIS.,
itors, but the elder one said, "Can we
see him, doctor?"
] asked permission TO announce
their coming to my mother, and left
the ladies alone. When | returned,
after some five minutes absence, /
was strnck by the change in their
faces. The younger one was pale as
ashes, and the elder one had n set,
hard look of determination, as if
nerved by some sudden resolution.
led the way to my mothers bed
room, where Freddie was in profound
slumber. The younger lady shrank
back in the shadow of the bed cur
tains. but the mother advanced and
bent over the child.
There was moment of profound
silence, then, in hard voice, the old
lady said, II am sorry to put you to
so much trouble, DIR. Morrill,. This
is not the child we lost"
A heavy fall startled US, and / turn
ed to see the young stranger sense
less on the floor. Her mother spoke
quickly. 1.-THE disappointment too
much for her. We SO hoped to find
my grandson.
did notreply. The delirious raw
ings of the child were still
ringing in my ears as he pleaded
with the harsh grandmother and
aunt. l did not believe the old
lady's statement but having no
proof to the contrary, was forced to
accept it.
Long after my visitors had depart
ed, the beautiful blonde still trem-
bling and white, mother and | talked
Of their strange conduct.
cit is evident they want to deny
the child" l said.
II am glad OF it," mother replied.
Eve will keep him, John. He shall
have a grandma to love, not one to
| fear"
So the Summer and early Autumn
wore away, and Freddie was dear to
us Us il he had claim of our kinship.
His rare beauty, his precocious in
tellect, and his loving heart had COM
pleted the fascination commenced by
our pity for his suffering, weakness
and loneliness. He called US Grand
ma" and Uncle John" and chung to
us with the most affectionate caress-
es.
Being blessed with ample means,
mother and had quite decided to
adopt pretty Freddie when he had
been little longer unclaimed in our
house.
Dennis, my coachman, was veIy
fond of Freddie, and careful; so was
not afraid to leave my little charge
with him while was indoors, and he
was very happy chatting with the
good-natured Irishman and waiting
my coming.
1t was early in November, and
mother had dressed Freddie for the
firsttime in o ja unity suit of velvet
with dainty velvet cap over his
brown curls, when one morning
sent him out with Dennis until was
ready to start.
was making my finalpreparation
for departure when heard a piercing
scream under my window and Dennis
saying, "By jabers, she's tainted, the
cratherW
While Freddie cried, "Mamma-
pretty mammal"
ran out hastily to see an odd
tableau. Dennis was sporting in his
strong arms a slender figure in deer
mourning, half leaning on the shafts
while Freddie chung to her skirts
sobbing, "Mamma-mamma."
Bring her in, Dennis" said.
'1'll do that same, sur" was tbs
reply, as Dennis lifted the little figure
/ like a feather weight, and crossing
the pavement came into the surgery
/ shut out the curious people who
followed, and Freddie chung fast tC
the black dress, never ceasing hi
loud cries of "Oh, mammal 1t il
my mamma; come home to Freddie
Mamma-pretty mammal"
The sound rang through the house
reaching my mothers ears as sh'
sat in her room. She came hurryinl
: down the stairs and entered the sur
} gerry just as Dennis deposited his bur
, denim an arm chair. Compromising
the situation at glance, mother ten
derby removed the heavy Grape vel
j and bonnet, loosening a shower o
{ brown curls round marble-whit
r face, still insensible.
, At that moment hestranger open
ed a pair of large brown eyes, a
/ brown and as soft as Freddie's own
| and murmured, in o faint voice
9 Freddie! Did | see my boy?"
Then her eyes fell upon the chill
e and in n moment she was on he
/ knees before him, claspingihim to he
{ heart, kissing him, sobbing over hin
4 till mother broke out crying toe
and / was Obliged to assume m