The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1891-12-02

Esther--had ] not better see the ma
tron Of the Home Of the Friendless and
make the necessary, arrangements for
us to take her there in the morning?
Your children are so obtrusively emo
tional, and"
"You need not put yourself 70 any
trouble about Wanda, Isaac
"Oh, no trouble. I've put my hand
to the plow and D don't mean to turn
back" N.
''But have not quite made up my
mind what to do with the child.'
r'You don't mean to say that you are
going to keep herr &&
"Yes," Mrs. Evcsham replied bravely,
II believe am" N
'Then all ! can say, Esther, is, that
you are mad, and do not mean to
waste any time over person devoid OF
common sense. What excuse have you
for such an act of folly?"
'The child is motherless, friendless,
homeless" Mrs. Evesham pleaded.
"And there are in this city OF New York
a hundred Thousand in the same condi-
ton. Is that any reason for you to
turn your house into founding hospi-
tal?'
'.That awful TACT does not absolve
me from reseuing this one wee lamb
from the storm"
"One wee lamb, indeed" Mr. Eve
sham calculated, purple with indigna-
ton; ''it's anvery well to talk now that
she is baby, but what will you do
when your one wee lamb grows old
enough to 90 to school and wear dresses?
You'll find your one wee lamb the
dearest piece of mutton you ever
bought in your fife. See here, Esther,
you know You have not the means of
clothing your own children without
extraneous help"
"Are you alluding to the box of cast
off raiment you brought with you yes
terday, Isaac?"
She was at bay now and her eyes
flashed with unwonted fire.
"What if amp" he asked, doggedly.
"only this. That you can take the
things back with you to Buffalo. was
not too proud to accept them and should
have found them useful, but your coarse
allusion to my need gives too strong
flavor of charity to your generosity.
You may have paupers in your own city
much more worthy Of your bounty"
"Hundreds haven't doubt Of it."
Mr.. Evesham assented, utterly uncon-
scious Of the sarcasm. "But that is
neither here nor there. The question
is, what are you going to do with this
deserted child? Let me state my propo-
sition before You decide. II you choose
to behave in sensible manner and
place her in charge of the city author
tiles, will continue TO give you my
protection and assistance, TO aid you
in clothing and educating your chill
dren, and, perhaps, to find q career for
your son when he Is old enough TO go
out into the world; but II you obsti-
nately persist in encumbering yourself
with her support, ! shall decline, In the
name of myself and family, ever again
to hold communication with you. Il Is
q choice between the brat and ME!"
He made the ''me" impressively en-
phatic, as though in his opinion she had
no alternative.
The widow was very pale. Even the
swapping Of this slender link which
bound her TO her husbands kin hurt
her keenly, but she brayely raised her
big, brown eyes, wet with tears, and
said:
81 think, Isaac. shall keep the
baby"
An angry retort rose to the lumber
mans lips, but erc he coui speak he
was shocked into silence by the startled
attitude of his sister-in-law, who stood
before him as though petrifled with
fear.
Esther" he said, with some little
conjunction, 81 didn't quite mean
to"
"oh, hush!' she cried, laying her
hand on his arm. "Are you deaf? Do
you not hear?"
The lumberman caught the infection
Of the lady's terror.
"No What? Where?" he gasped,
staring in vain for an explanation.
"Harkg'
For a moment, silence. Then, over
their heads came the sound of measured
footsteps, us though some one was NOV
ing cautiously in the room above.
Gracious, Esther, how you scared
me. Is that all?'
at is in number six," she replied in q
frightened whisper; ''the room Is un-