Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1891-06-12
The had talked an unusually long time

My frlend," said the matron, who
had been listening with interest to her
story, 81 aln sure you will be blessed in
Sharing your home with one of Gods un-
fortunate ones. Come with INC and let
me show you my family"
She led the way up broad fight of
stairs. Miss Dillcway 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 sec dozen or twenty,
perhaps, but here were surely hun
drcd. How could she choose from
among so many.
over in the corner one of the older
girls was trotting baby. Miss Dilo-
way was very fond of babies, and she
stopped instinctivcly to speak to this
one.
1t looked up into her sweet face con-
idingly, and then held out her small
arm toward her. She took it eagerly,
and pressed the little form close.
~ do love babies sol" she said half
apolo2etically, to the matron, who was
looking on with smile. 81 often say to
the folks Mt home that don't envy them
tnelr husbands, their big houses, or their
rlck-rack, as they call their ornaments
nowadays; but 1 do envy them thci.
babies. They seem to think it's queer.
don't sec why old maids shouldn't
iove babies us wells married folks.n
"Why not adopt baby"
Miss Dilloway had intended to adont
an older child, and the suggestion Tint
the should take an infant took her so
much by surprise that she hastily re-
turned the baby to its young nurse, aud
sat down in chair. Then strange
thing happened; the baby's lip began to
quivcr;' tears gathered in its eyes, and
its arms were held out again appealiuplv
to Miss Dilloway.
She took it instantly, and asked the
matron:
"Shc amt morc'n six months old. is
shcl"
"lIc was just seven months old yester-
day."
Gle! Is it boy2" she almost
screamed, looking at the child as if he
were to b'amc for not being girl.
The baby seemed to realize that an
important moment in his young life had
arrived. He pattcd Miss Dillowny's
check with his fat palm and then snupnied
close to her side.
Miss Dilloway cleared her throat.
| "Wcll, never liked boys very much
after they're grown up, but if 1 should
take this one, l guess 1 should get used
to his ways before that time. Do YOU
anything about his parcnts2"
"ies. They were very nice people.
The father died only eight months aro
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 I'D
from that moment, and early in the af-
noon Mr.. McQuestion. for the first time
in his life, lost his voice rs little Miss
Dilloway got off the train with n baby in
her arms.
VI course the people of Rcntham were
surprised. 1t seems very amusing thing
to some Of them that Miss Dillowny
should adopt baby, but those who
knew her we'll and loved her, commend
ed her worthy act aud rcjoiced in her
new happiness-for happy she certainly
was.
1t was certainly beautiful sight to
see Miss Dilloway with the baby in her
arms. The child crowcd, cooed and
was Enthusiastically very fond of his foster
parent.
Donations of slips, stockings and
sacks for baby's wear came in almost
daily. One thoughtful ncighbor sent
cradle. Children came in with TOYS in
Vulnerable
Miss Dilloway held council with the
mothers in the neighborhood as to the
merits of anisc and the dement's of
soothing syrup. Advice was freely
given, but often of such contradictory
nature that poor Miss Dilloway was
puzzled. Nevertheless, baby grew and
prospered, and made sunshine in the lit
tie old lady's heart.
One day, about three months after
bahy's advent in Rentham, very I'm.
usual sound rang through Miss Diro-
ways dwelling. There were one, two,
three clangs of the brass knockcr on the
seldom used front door.
When, with baby in her arms. she
opened the door, she faced n tall, we'll
built man of substantial appearance in
more senses than one, with streaks of
gray in his hair.
The man glanced at the baby and
said, without ceremony:
81 guess I've struck the light place.
This is Miss Dilloway, amt it2"
TREMENDOUSLY, holding the baby very
tight, and with an awful forcboding at
her heart, she answered: "Yc-es. Will
you walk in2"
"Well, yes, reckon 1 will, seeing
I've come all this distance to see the lit
tie fellow. There, now, don't get
scared! I've no notion of taking him
from you. shouldn't know what to do
with him if had him."
Miss Dilloway's face continued to cx-
press establishment.
"Well, well" said the man, az guess
ia better introduce myself. I'm Reuben
Russell, late of Minnesota, at present of
nowhere in particular. 1 got to Preston
three days ago, and went to work the
llrst thing to hunt up my niece Clary.
didn't know she was dead until reached
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