The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-05-03

hasn't any heart! As for getting to the
tavern before tho stage starts again,
they're not able to do it. And, after
all, what would become of them at the
other end of the route? No, Mrs. Black,
we'll give 'em a good supper of warm
bread and milk, and fix 'em bed in my
room for tonight. And if your husband
finds it out and scolds you, why you may
just tell him it was my fault I'm not
afraid of him, if you are. And to-mor-
row we'll consider what it is best to do
next"
Thus relieved, to certain extent, of
the responsibility, old Mrs. Black set to
work with glad and plying heart to
warm and feed the two poor little child
rem, and did not rest until she had seen
them snugly asleep on loor-bed in the
corner Of Regina's small apartment
SIT don't seem as if could ever Let
EN- go again, Miss Whelpley," said tho
old woman, wiping her spectacle
glasses. But you don't know what it
is to be married"
mo, don't" said Regina laughing.
tBut, mover mind, Mrs. Black, two
sweet children like this will be sure to
find home somewhere"
Old Decimus came homo at the usual
hour from his chat at the village store.
Mrs. Black looked at him guiltily as
he entered.
sits a-snowin'," said he; ''snowin'
hard"
SIS it, father?"
"What do you want the lantern for?"
Decimus Black writhed uneasily.
81 stopped in at tho tavern on my way
back" said he, IAN they told mo the
stage went back empty"
Did it, father?" lin low voice.
can feel sort of uneasy to think
what can havo become O. them chill
dren," unwillingly admitted tho old
man. Il dare say fort, can't get the
look o that boy outeu my head. It's jos
tho way John James used to look at me.
John James had dreadful pleasant
eyes. Help me to s'arch for the lantern,
mother. l must go out and hunt the
children up. l wish to goodness I'd
never sent 'em away"
At that moment the door at the foot
of tho stairs opened Regina Whelpley
stood there, with flushed cheeks and
shining eyes.
eff you really mean that Mr. Black"
said she, Providence has been kinder
to you than you had any right to expect
Light tho candle, Mrs. Black. Show
him where the poor creatures are l
found. them covering under stone
fence, Mr.. Black, and brought them
hero on my own responsibility. Lookl"
She held the candid high above her
head. Old Decimus leaned forward, and
for tho first time in her life, Mrs. Black
saw a big tear plash down from his
dim eyes on tho blue plaid coverlet.
I'm glad ont" said he, I'm glad
ont! It's a bitter March night, and tho
snow is falling as mover knowed it to
fall afore in March. and if them little
ones had pcrished-"
His voice broke down; he turned his
face away.
Father" pleaded the old woman,
coming close to him and putting one
withered hand appealingly on his arm,
SANJ AiNJ N'SSJ ASAO, IL OLLOJ
Eyes," he answered, in husky voice;
they may stay here"
So the little wanderers found homo
after all, and, to judge by popular re-
port, not an unpleasant one.
''For, do DECLARE" said Miss Whelp-
ley, the village schoolmistress, "those
children rule tho whole house. Only
think of old Decimus Black, who used
to think that children had no business
to exist, building play-room for them
in the barn and buying little pony for
'em to ride, and taking 'em with him
wherever he goes. His heart has been
frozen up tight these many years, but it
has thawed out at last"
So it had. In the sunshine of chill
dren's smiles, the magic influence Of
which tho Great Teacher spoke when
He said:
"And little child shall lead them"
-Firosido Companion.