Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-05-02

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 a hard voice, the old
lady said, 81 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. "The disappointment is too
much for her. We so hoped to find
my grandson"
did notreply. The delrious raw.
ings of the child were still
ringing in my ears as he plea 1ed
with the harsh grandmother and
aunt. | 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 l talked
of their strange conduct.
1T is evident they want to deny
the child," said.
81 am glad of it," mother replied.
1--WE will keep him, John. He shall
have grandma to love, not one to
fear"
SO the Summer and early Autumn
wore away, and Freddie was dear to
us as 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 very
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 Il ia 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 final preparation
for departure when | heard piercing
scream under my window and Dennis
saying, "By jabers, she's tainted, the
cratherp'
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 deep
mourning, half leaning on the shafts,
while Freddie chung to her skirts,
sobbing. MISUNDERSTANDING"
Bring her in, Dennis l said.
'Pll do that same, sur" was the
reply, as Dennis lifted the little figure
like feather weight, and crossing
the pavement came into the surgery.
| shut out the curious people who
followed, and Freddie chung fast to
the black dress, never ceasing his
loud cries of ooh, mammal 1t is
my mamma; come home to Freddiel
Mamma-pretty mammal"
The sound rang through the house,
reaching my mothers ears as she
sat in her ROOM She came hurrying
down the stairs and entered the sur
gerry just as Dennis deposited his bur-
den in an arm chair. Comprehending
the situation at a glance, mother ten
derby removed the heavy Grape veil
and bonnet, loosening a shower of
brown curls round a marble-white
face, still insensible.
AT that moment the stranger OPEN
ed pair of large brown eyes, as
brown and as soft as Freddie's own,
and murmured, in faint voice:
Freddiel Did see my boy?"
Then her eyes fell upon the child
and in moment she was on her
knees before him, clasping:him to her
heart, kissing him, sobbing over him
till mother broke out crying too,
and l was obliged to assume my
professional expression" by sheer
force of will.
"Come, come" / said, gently.
"Freddie has been very i'll, and can
not bear so much excitement"
This Quoted the mother in an in
slant, and she rose, still holding the
child's hand in her OWL.
at is my boyp' she said looking
into my face.
Freddie" l asked, sis this man.
maj"
eyes," said the little fellow, decid-
eddy; "of course it is. My own pref
ty mamma, come from heaven!''
"Come from heaven" she repeated
with ashy lips and gasping breath.
"They told me he was dead, my boy,
my Freddie-that he was run over
and killed! The nurse saw him fall
under the horses feet"
"But you see he was not killed."
mother said, in gentle tone; "but
is well and strong again
And then, motioning me to keep
silent, mother told the widow of the
child's injuries and recovery, of his
winning ways, and our love for him.
81 must tell you first who l am"
our visitor said. Il am the widow
of Carol West, who died of cholera