Nevada County picayune., 1892-02-18

and found Wildwood and Mr.. Joshua
Mumford, well to- do lawyer, who
to our inquiries, replied that he had
a place to sell.
"lt YOU like lonely spot" he
added. Most people object so to
it that ID given up the idea OF
purchaser. The majority OF buyers
want to be near a village. I'd be
glad to sell it," he added. 1t be-
longs to little orphan. to he sold for
/ his education. The best thing we
can do for the child. He has not
relative in the world that we know
| of, nor another penny, but we could
do well for him with the money. I've
tried to find purchaser, in vain,
for more than six months. How you
heard of it | cant think Who told
you of it?''
We mentioned the lady. He shook
his head.
81 cannot guess who it was"
said he. "Some kind body, | sup
pose. who was interested in the
orphan"
Then he took a bunch of keys
from nail, put on his hat, and went
with us to the house.
We were delighted with it, and
bought it as soon as the necessary
proceedings could be gone through.
We saw the little owner, slim boy
of eleven, and knew of his being put
to school, and we proceeded to
arrange and furnish our new posses
sion with all the ardor usual on such
occasions.
Meanwhile, as opportunity offered,
[ looked about me for the lady who
had so briefly directed us to our new
home. felt that | should like to
thank her, and to know more of her,
Had not Mr.. MumfOrd told me that
the child had no living relations,
that would have been my solution of
the mystery. mean that we would
have thought the lady some relative
of the boy; for the big blue eyes
and small, pointed chin of the little
fellow, his pale blonde hair and
pencilled eyebrows, reminded me of
my visitor.
However, saw nothing of her
and heard nothing of her, and finally
gave up my efforts to discover her
identity.
We had furnished all the upper
rooms but one, that needed some al
terations. We intended to make
spare bedroom of that, and we were
going to have it papered and paint
ed The hearth, too, wanted re-
setting. and the mantelpiece was a
little Sunken.
A carpenter was called in, who,
in day or two, made great improve
ments, put shelves in a closet, and
made new door into the hall. 1t
was as he finally took his departure
that he turned, with his box of tools
upon his shoulder, and said to me:
"Oh, / found photograph be-
hind your mantelpiece. forgot to
tell YOU. ] left it on the closet
shelf" And then he took his de-
parture.
The next time | went into the
room | took the photograph from
the spot where he had placed it,.
1t was the portrait of a lady in
mourning,
The instant looked at it | gave a
little cry 1t was the lady who had
called upon me to tell me about the
house. She looked gravely into my
ewes as she had that day. | saw the
pointed chin, the delicate light eye
brows, the short straight nose. Now
should know who she was, and
certainly she was very like the little
orphan boy.
saw Mr.. Mumford that day. l
made it my business to see him,
ostensibly about buying a COW OF
another neghbor, who had referred
as to him as knowing the animal S
good qualities; and while sat in
/ his Office took the photograph from
my pocket and mentioned where 1t
had been found.
Whoever it is, it is the lady who
told me of this house," said l.
Mr.. Mumford took it from me,
and looked at it with shake of the
head.
There You are mistaken, ma'am,
he said, THAT is utterly impossible.
This is photograph of Mrs. Mailer
Her little fellow will be glad to have