Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-12-31

| TO Eee that no one watched her. aud then
laid the la ket very gently among the
straw hl the body of the vehicle. For
moment she fingered, then she drew Inc
shawl closely about her fsCe and hurrl,I
away.
At the end ~ half an hour Jerry
emerged from Inc inn, climbed 10 his seat,
/ bade he pony proceed aud rolled away
again. He lift the colliery village be-
hind him and WAS soon in the open
country Left 10 himself once more the
| htle green grave in Willowmere
! churchyard began 10 haunt him again.
He sighed a. ne pictured the lonely
cottage at home. Bob and his wife
would he there waiting his return, and
NJ doubt still sorely troubled by their
bereavement.
"Eh." sighed Jerry 10 himself, what
a deal o diii"renc" a little un dew make,
surely! III "a a hundred goold guineas
10 have it book"
The road grew rather rough. They
had been laying down a course Of dross
upon H. and the pony staggered bit as
ne picked his way in the dark ness over
the sharp points. The cart had no
springs and 1t began TO jolt and shake
somewhat. Presently it got over the
stones and onto smooth surfaces again.
| Then Jerry was suddenly aware of a
childs faint cry somewhere close at
hand. He started and pricked his ears
like watchdog.
Seems 10 me like a child a-cryin,'
said he. "Yes: 'tis child, surely.
Whoa, Robin, lad! Let's bee what this
NAV be. Whoa. them
The pony stopped, and jeremiah got
down. and having lighted his lantern
went over toward the hedgeside. The
cry had stopped then. He looked about
him curiously, but saw nothing Must
be- on t'other side" said he, and went
stumping across the lane. Then the
faint cry came again. and the carrier
Strengthened himself up in amazement.
Blessed if 'tain't in my cart! said
he. well-this do be very per-
tickler strange. A child cryin in my
cart"
He held the lantern over the cart tail
and looked ~ the miscellaneous collec-
tion of baskets, bags and parcels ar
lilfl's sNhd Ahti hiH iiNt SIC"
| troubled. for he saw a hamper and did
not recognize It.
Dear. dear" said jeremiah Here
be strange work, | misdOubt didn't
never put that i my cart.
The hamper lid was loose. and jerry
turned il back and gazed with aston
ished ewes on lhe sight which presented
itself For there, warmly wrapped in
various ancient garments, lay baby
girl, fair haired and blue eyed, who
| stared at Jerry's wrinkled and weather
beaten face, and smiled contentedly.
"Dear anne" said the carrier Dear
a-mew
He stood staring AT the baby until II
began 10 whimper again. There was "A
feeding bottle in the basket with il, and
Jerry hsstened to thrust the tube into
the little rosy mouth, al the same time
giving voice 10 certain soothing chuckles
which he had used when hushing his lit
tlsdesd granddaughter TO sleep. Then he
covered the baby up again and went for.
ward 10 Little Ashby and pulled mp at
! the door of the Brown Cow" He staid
inside little more than two minutes, and
when he came forth again the stout,
comfortable looking landlady followed
him TO the cart.
Look 'ee there, missis," said Jerry,
holding his lantern over the sleeping
baby's face. Look ee there"
The landady nodded and sighed.
"Ah, poor dear." said she. "'Tis Just
dispensatlon o Providence, Master
Motif is indeed. Take it home -
Bob's poor wife-may be ii II comfort her
for the loss of the other"
SO jeremiah set forward over the last
mile of road 10 Willowmere. The baby
slept quietly al the way, for the road
was smooth. and the motion of the cart
WAS soothing.
Poor Bob, his eyes red with weeping
for the dead baby, was III the gate TO
welcome his father. Jeremiah got down
from his perch very softly and APP
preached him.
Now, my lad" said Jerry. chow do
ee feel now like, aud how's poor Nary"
"Bad-very bad, feyther, IL Mary"
said Bob. Her sits by the hearthstone
and don't say word to nobody. Mis-
tress White-she says at if on'y Mary
'ud cry a bit t would do her good, but
her don't cry-not tear"
Bob" said the old man, "look thee
herel
He held the lantern over the sleeping
baby. Bob, opening his eyes and mouth,
stared and gazed in amazement. Tie
old man set down the light, and lifting
the child from its nest turned with it
toward the house. Mary sat by the
hearth as he entered, her eyes dry and
burning, her face full of despair.
MARY" said old jeremiah very softly.
"Mary-look thee here, my dear"
He laid the sleeping baby on her knee.
II suddenly woke and shed the full light
Of its blue eyes upon her, For second
she gazed at il wonderingly; then she
clasped IL In her arms, and the hot tears
began to rain down upon its round little
s~"e. Old jeremiah watched the little