Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-05-08


that's like Mr.. Thornton; he always
practises what he breaches.
"Well, when sat down that afternoon
with my Bible and hymn book, couldn't
get my mind off that sermon. When
heard it, it didn't seem as if twas meant
for me, but for married folks; but some
how the thought of Abby's chamber up
stairs-Abby's my sister who died last
year-kind of worked Its way into my
mind. and [ wondered if the Lord would
say to me, Cynthia Dilloway, have you
kept that room of yours hid in a napkinP
ssThen thought of the cellar full of
provisions, and more than enough In the
bank to take care of me if lived to be
hundred; and before I knew it, I'd said
aloud, sIll do it! I'll give one of those
poor things a home, and I guess can be
kind of mother to it, if am an old
maidp
''It's surprising how much company
lust the thought of having little girl
around has been, for made up my mind,
of course, it should be a girl. Since
then I've been kind of getting ready
and-well, here ami"
By this time little Miss Dilloway was
wiping the Precipitation from her face.
She had talked an unusually long time
for her.
"My friend" said the matron, who
had been listening with interest to her
story, 81 am sure you will be blessed IN
sharing your home with one of Gods un-
fortunate ones. Come with me and let
me show you my family.
She led the way up broad flight OF
stairs. Miss Dilloway soon found herself
in large room, which contained so
| many children that the first sight of
them almost took her breath away. She
had expected to see dozen or twenty,
perhaps, but here were surely a hun
dred. How could she choose from
among so many.
Over in the corner one of the older
girls was trotting baby. Miss Dillo-
way was very fond of babies, and she
stopped instinctively to speak to this
| one.
1t looked up into her sweet face con-
fdingly, and then held out her small
arm toward her. She took it eagerly,
and pressed the little form close.
II do love babies SOP she said half
apologetically, to the matron, who was
looking on with smile. 81 often say to
the folks at home that l don't envy them
their husbands, their big houses, or their
rick-rack, as they call their ornaments
nowadays; but do envy them their
babies. They seem to think it's queer,
don't see why old maids shouldn't
love babies as wells married folks"
'Why not adopt baby"
Miss DiIloway bad intended to adopt
an older child, and the suggestion that
the should take an infant took her so
much by surprise that she hastily re-
turned the baby to it's young nurse, and
! sat down in a chair. Then a strange
thing happened; the baby's lip began to
culver; tears gathered in its eyes, and
it's arms were held out again appealingly
to Miss Dilloway.
She took it instantly, and asked the
matron:
ssShe amt more'n six months old, is
she?"
s'He was just seven months old yester-
day"
'sHe! Is it a boy?" she almost
screamed, looking at the child as if he
were to blame for not being a girl.
The baby seemed to realize that an
important moment in his young life had
arrived. He patted Miss Dilloway s
cheek with his fat palm and then Struggled
close to her side.
Miss Dilloway cleared her throat.
"Well, I never liked boys very much
after they're grown up, but if I should
take this one, guess I should get used
to his ways before that time. Do you
anything about his parents?'
eyes. They were very nice people
The father died only eight months ago
and the mother was so affected by his
death that she never rallied after the baby
came. The little fellow seems to be
wholly alone in the world"
Miss Dilloway's mind was made uE
from that moment, and early in the at
noon Mr.. McQuestion, for the first time
in his life, lost his voice as little Miss
Dilloway got off the train with baby il
t her arms.
Of course the people of Rentham were
surprised. 1t seems very amusing thing
to some of them that Miss DIIlowa
: should adopt baby, but those VIII
knew her we'll and loved her, commend
2 ed her worthy act and rejoiced in he
new happ1ness-for happy she certainl.
, was.
e 1t was certainly beautiful sight to
: see Miss Dilloway with the baby in he