Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1891-05-22

| iuu. 1ncy Vo got seven alreaQyt ~ \
that's like Mr.. Thornton; he always
: practises what he breaches.
"Well, when sat down that afternoon
with my Bible and hymn-book, Icouldn'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 It's way into my
mind, and I wondered if the Lord would
say to me, Cynthia Dilloway, have you
kept that room of yours hid in napkina q
"Then l thought of the cellar full of
provisions, and more than enough in the
bank to take care of me if lived to be a
hundred; and before knew it, I'd said
aloud, 'Tll do it! I'll give one of those
poor things home, and guess I can be
kind of mother to it, if l am an old
maidP
''It's surprising how much company
just the thought of having a little girl
around has been, for made up my mind,
of course, it should be girl. Since
then I've been kind of getting ready
and-well, here l ami"
By this time little Miss Dilloway was
wiping the perspiration 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-
fidingly, and then held out her small
arm toward her. She took it eagerly,
and pressed the little form close.
81 do love babies sol" she said half
apologetically, to the matron, who was
looking on with a smile. 81 often say to
the folks at home that don't envy them
their husbands, their big houses, or their
rick rack, as they call their ornaments
but l do envy them their
babies. They seem to think it's queer,
I don't see why old maids shouldn't
love babies as wells married folks"
"Why not adopt baby"
Miss Dilloway 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 its young nurse, and
sat down in chair. Then strange
thing happened; the baby's lip began to
quiver; tears gathered in its eyes, and
its arms were held out again appealingly
to Miss Dilloway.
She took it instantly, and asked the
natron:
"She amt more'n six months old, is
she?"
'He was just seven months old yester-
day."
"He! Is it a boy2" she almost
screamed, looking at the child as if he
we're to blame for not being a girl.
The baby seemed to realize that an
moment in his young life had
arrived. He patted Miss Dilloway's
cheek with his fat palm and then snuggled
close to her side.
Miss Dilloway cleared her throat.
swell, never liked boys very much
ifter they're grown up, but if should
AXE this one, guess should get used
% his ways before that time. Do you
lnything about his parents?"
tYes. They were very nice people.
The father died only eight months ago,
md the mother was SO affected by his
leath that she never rallied after the baby
,ame. The little fellow seems to be
wholly alone in the world"
Miss Dilloway's mind was made up
rom that moment, and early in the af-
loon Mr.. McQuestion, for the first time
n his life, lost his voice as little Miss
got off the train with baby in
Ter arms.
Of course the people of Rentham were
1t seems very amusing thing
% some of them that Miss Dilloway
should adopt a baby, but those who
snew her we'll and loved her, commend
ID her worthy act and rejoiced in her
lew happlness-for happy she certainly
vas.
1t was certainly beautiful sight to
zee Miss Dilloway with the baby in her
rms. The child crowed, cooed and
vas Enthusiastically very fond of his foster
parent.
Donations of slips, stG> ld |
acks for baby's wear came in e. st
laily. One thoughtful neighbor sent a
,radle. Children came in with toys in
Miss Dilloway held council with .he
mothers in the neighborhood as to the
merits of anise and the dement's of
syrup. Advice was freely
given, but often of such contradictory