Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-04-14

like manner with the aged couple, and Mrs. Whitney followed, though with touch of stiffness. After all were seated Mir. Whitney tvrning slightly noticed the child leaning against old Morals knee, and burst out cheerily: ''Is this the little man? Well, well, how do you do Mir. Earliug?' and held out his hand.
 The child regarded him a moment wonderinglv. then clambered into Grandam Erric's lap and pushed him. self tightly against her. At this the gentleman laughed and said: "You don't love your enemies. do you? or set much store by your relations? You're wise, my little man. you re wise" Then he laughed again. and turning to old Jade said, soberly: II haven't seen his father since we were boys. He was a fine lad. and gritty enough for two. The little chap is like him, 1 judge"
 "The child has will O his own." said Jade, but he is a reasonable un; yes, he favors his father, lcast-wise in that"
 ..It is terrible trouble that has vis- itcd you herc," said Mrs. Whitney, little primly, to Grandam Erric.
 "Yes," she answered. looking down
 
 essayed, she added nothing further, for her throat seemed full. At that there was little pause, then Mir. Whitney said: Its bad affair."" and looked down at his foot. Letting his eyes rest upon that generous quantity moment he added: ''lt seems strange that 1t could not be discovered definitely if his death was accidental, or from prcmed- itated robbery. It must have been from robbery. though. it seems to mo, or else he had made some other dispo- sition of the money"
 '.It was very sad," said Mrs. Whit ney, pursing up her mouth little; ''hs wife. 1 believe, was very nice per son?' looking up interfogatively. "YcS num-" said Jade. there was | none finer"
 I've left our home as soon as ap- | priscd of the affair."" Mrs. Whitney | went on, "conSidering it our boundcn | duty to assume the care of bringing up | the child. Doctor what was his name, Jocl?"
 "lIornhy," said Mir. Whitney. ''Ycs, Dr. IIornby wrote us inform ing us of the sudden dreadfulness of the occurrence, saying he had guessed our place of living from some of Mir. | Earrings papers. trust it will occa- sion you no reluctance or unpleasant ness to yield the child into our posses | sion."
 The lady had a certain stretchv | sickness of tongue that was quite soothing to the ordinary ear, albeit her 1 words were not always well constructed 1 or grammatical. But Joel Whitney al- ways grew little restive under the smooth and level line of their delivery. l He was eminently a business man. with little care for affected clcgancies of diction or surroundings. though great lover of comfortable clothing, fat food and warm quarters. He was, however,
 rathcr volulninous talker himself upon occasion. though he seldom al-
 lowed himself to be betrayed into
 such a weakness. A certain homely
 bluntness of address, mixed with
 not over-refned humor. seemed
 his natural output of expression.
 In all matters he liked supremeiy to
 come directly to the point. CirCum-
 locuton of speech or ideas wearied
 him; still his good nature was we'll
 nigh infallible. Nothing seemingly
 save dullness in those with whom he
 had to do ever lost him his good
 humorcd balance. He disliked alice 1
 Mrs. WhitnCv's dircrtncSs of language
 in the home circle. and rather indirect
 largencSS of remark on state occasions,
 stirred bis distaste little. At any
 rate, he tapped his foot softly and
 looked out the window as she closed
 the sentence. then said little abrupt
 ly and with business-like smile:
 'Of course, you old people don
 want to be bothered with the child.
 We've got a little chap at home that
 will make him good mate. Besides,
 you couldn't give him such schooling
 here as he needs. of course."
 "No," said Jade. huSkily, "we couldn't do nothin' fur him; you can have him."
 "Well, Mary, we may as we'll be go
 ing then" said Mir. Whitney, making Il movement as if to rise.
 , Then old Nora went upstairs witt l the child to mako him ready, and pres 5 ently came down with her lips working t and her eyes very red, and put tn, child in Mrs. Whitncy's lap. But h'
 refused to stay with her, and Joe r Whitney, laying a twenty-dollar golC f piece upon the old bureau, turned tt
 the child and took him in his strong arms and tossed him up, and laughed f and gurgled. and clucked, and carriet ' him out and put him in the carriage , Then the old couple, seeming nor f bent and old than ever, came out, witt r Mrs. Whitney talking very rapidly, an' all shook hands at the gate. Mrs :. Whitney thanked old Jade and Nor
 for their kindness to the child, and he I husband said: ''Much obliged! mucl ooliged! We will take good care c a him!' from the carnage. Then Johl
 tears ooRing m i baeE oSsr vsrS Joei Heu Whit Whit . ney's shoulder, saw for the last time il - hls life the tendeY-hearted old couple e crying at the gate, as the carriage bor 9 him away across the autumn-goldene a world
 !. CHAPTER ".