The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-03-19

there, because she hadn't any money. It
was most dark then. and we conldn't
see anything in the barn but the box and
little bit OF hay. Mamma put some hay
in the box, and | got in and cuddled
down and played was a little mouse in
nest. Mamma laid down on the floor,
and | could hear her cry until went to
sleep.
This morning when | woke up and
crawled out of the box there was that
cunning little baby, all done up in mann
mas shawl. MamnR hasn't woke up
yet, and guess she d be s'prised when
she finds out what sbe has got for Christ
mas. guess had better go back now,
for, if she should wake up, she might
want me-"
The energy witlf which Mrs. King
( turned to her husband showed that her
mind, at leas held 10 doubt as to her
future course of action.
Timothy, you know it would be
downright murder for us to let those
poor critters stay in that barn all night.
| 'Tisn't great ways, and guess we can
get them home with us all right if you
will hitch up Dobbin in the long sleigh.
! shouldn't wonder il this was good
chance for an investment"
As Mr.. King took the lantern and went
out to get the house and sleigh, his ac-
tions showed a. very unsettled state of
mind. He was thinking, and very seri-
Gus thoughts they were. too. 1t was
clear that something must be done for
the wanderers, and shelter provided
for them before the storm settled any
heavier; but he could not think that it
was his duty to do it. Yet those were
plain truths which his wife had set be-
fore him.
Although he felt very much put out
with the world, and, as he helped his
wife arrange comfortable bed in the
bottom of the long sleigh, her interest
ana sympathy for the sufferers only
made his dissatisfaction deeper.
Soon all things were in readiness, and
| leaving Doxy i'll the comfortable kitchen
to awmt their return, they drove down
to the old barn. They found, as Doxy
had said, the mother was asleep, but it
was the sleep from which she would
never awaken to know more of pain or
sorrow. The tiny babe, however, gave
abundant evidence of life by wailing
| Justify.
Mrs. King took him into her arms and
her heart at the same time, and from
that moment she felt that he was hers.
Mr.. King was still thinking deeply as
they drove homeward with their sad
freight Two children to feed and clothe
seemed no pleasant prospect; and yet
from the way his wife held that baby to
her bosom, he knew that this was her
determination.
Later ON in the night, as he sat watch
ing her coddling the little morsel ON her
knee, he venturcd to say:
II guess | had better take the children
over to the Selectmen in the morning,
hadn't I?'
He received an astonished look as she
replied:
II don't really see what Mr.. Bates has
got to do with our children. guess we
can provide for them a spell longer
Amt you glad this little youngster is a
boy, for now you can have II son to help
you carry on your farm?'
This last rather staggered Mr.. King
The idea of this mOrsel of humanity,
which he could early have put into his
pocket, helping him carry on his farm
was rather more than lie could compre-
hend. Still it was rather an attractive
picture. He might live to grow up, and
what comfort it would be in his old
age to say:
Timothy if his son should lie named
Timothy, ''you had better look after the
men this afternoon, and I'll rest here in
the shade.n
A son would take so much more inter
est in things than hired men do, and
they could plan together how things
should be done. 1t wouldn't cost so
much, after all. There were so many
chores on farm that boy could do,
that he would pay his way all along,
and then the comfort of having son all
his own. There was the little girl, a
sensible little thing, aud no doubt but
that she could help 'Lisbeth great deal,
He was still thinking; but the wife,
who had lived with him so many years,
knew hy his face that it was with more
favor OF her plan, and she decided on a
bold move. Getting quickly up and be-
fore he had time to object, she laid the
baby in Mr.. Kings arms, saying:
There hold him minute, for | must
go see if the little girl is sleeping all
right"
Then she was off, and the rough old
farmer was left sitting there, with the
tiny bundle in his arms. Somehow the
little thing, lying thore in its helpless
ness, went straight to his heart, and lift
ing the little puckered-up face to his,
Farmer King stopped thinking. 'Lsbeth
coming back, was met by the anxious
inquiry:
"Think little Timothy will live, don't
YEP"
She was too wise to make any com
ments, except to answer his question.
Live, should say sol You just wait
and see if don't pull him through"
| And so, with the adoption of this little
stranger into his heart and home seemed
to come some of the spirit of that other
little babe who came to earth so long
ago. At breakfast time Mr.. King had II
bit of news for his wife.
"Tell yer what it is, 'Lisbeth," said he
then, Il hain't felt so good inside of me,
never. | learned a verse when | was a
little boy. l can't just get the words,
but it was something like this: He that
gives his money to poor folks gives it to
God Almighty and shouldn't wonder
il it was so. 1t kinder come to me early
this morning how | wanted TO do some
thing handsome for a start-off for our
little Timothy, so just took myself over
to Widder Brookses, and gave her that
old mortgage, and told her to burn it and
keep herhome. My little investment ter
put along side of yours, and | feel as
| uHOuSh Ndo boJtlllB IHlghty IlC1.
How's the little boy this morning?"
Hes sleeping as pretty as picture.
| wish she could see him and know how
her children would a been provided for,
poor thing"
This last spoken with fearful eyes and
a nod of the head toward the best room,
where lay a shrouded form waiting to be
taken to its last resting place among
strangers.
Ten years have passed since that
stormy night, and Doxy and Timothy, a
wise little maiden and sturdy boy now,
are making the farmhouse bright with
their young life. Mr.. King has said
many times to his wife, ~ tell you what
'Lisbeth, that investment of ours has
paid. 1t is making me more Of human
crittcr every day. Observer.
Baggage Transfer Cheapened.
The travelling public will be interested
to learn that by an arrangement which
| went iutD Onpratiau Iauupry - ,,,..,,,