The Press., 1892-01-28
Number 43.

I've been willin' ter reason 'ith you u,-but of you won't listen to reason you may to fac. I've got right 'cordin' ter Tor to sell or give her or do what Pve a mind ter 'ith her. You ain't got scrap o' right in her. Mothers don't count in Tor, dye hear? The Tor says she's my child I've been ter see Square Hall, an he says them's his own words-'Your will is su- preme as to that child You see my wills the Tor. An my will is that she shall go I"
 Charley! Charley!" cried Priscilla, springing to her feet. You ain't-you ain't in earnest p
 "Dead earnest" .'Oh, Charley!'' she cried, clasping her hands, as if she were praying to him. "Ain't you no pity on me?" "I've pity on Josephine. 1" he said. live ast about that lady, an I'm satisfied, an you may jest eitsthe child, ready. didn't expect you'dEmake fuss where the child's good"
 "Oh, Charley!'' she cried again, "she's nay baby. She's all I've gotl It'll break my heart! can't let her go. It'll break her heart, too. She's never, been out of mysight. Oh, Charley, have mercy, have mercy, don't take her, don't kill me-my darlings my little girl, my baby" The child came close to her mothers side, aware of trouble, hiding in the folds of her skirt as Priscilla stood with her hands ciasped, her head thrown back, im- ploring heaven, while, her voice implored her husband.
 You heared what said 1" he answer ed. "The lady's goin' away on the noon stage. I'm goin' down now ter sign the papers and git my money, an I'll bring lem up fur you ter sign. She'll cofne up with me, an you hev Josephine all rigged out. It's a load off'n my mind about Jo- sephine." And he stalked out.
 For one moment Priscilla stood as If turned to stone. In the next she became a whirlwind. She had Josephine's hat and coat on, and her own, and she had their few clothes tied up in shawl, and she was hurrying through the back door and running with all her might--a main with the child in her arms, across the field and down the lane to the lower road. She was almost ready to fall, when she met the butcher and accosted him. Wal" said she, ,"Just about beat out, you be-, iuggin' that child," and he took her up beside him, and logged along.
 Oh, how slowly that old horse orept She dared not hurry him; she dared not confide her story to the butcher; they were all men together, and he might take 1 the mans side and turn about and deliver her bound hand and foot to Charley l.
 When they reached the cross: :roads she Igot down and slsoon as he was osit oi |sight, climbed \ fence with Josephine, ,and lhatried on How blue the sky was how lsest hs m >fnn eolora blended in still iAke what silence and peace broosd- ed over, all, and in her life, and in her heart, what tumult and distress She did not stay to think as much, she only felt it, and she ran on as fast as her trembling limbs could move, and fell breathless and almost senseless on Miss Elvira's door stone. "
 1T see you comin' 1" said that worthy woman, hastening to help her up and get her inside. sT knew suthin' was up. What is it!'
 l Josephine" gasped poor Priscilla. "He's goin'-to-give-her away! An I've taken her-an' left him."
 ftYou poor dear child. An not an hour too soon. :They's plenty here for three. An I've little property to leave. "Its the happiest day of my life!" exclaimed Miss Elvira, bustling about. "An' as soon as you git over the shock, twill be o'yourn She's safe here. This ain't his state An he can't git her 'ithout rekisi. tioning the gov'nor. An there ain't's tgov'nor breathin' Id give Charley Dane that child, right or no right! Pm goin ter lock the doors an winders, an If he comes here fur her I'll shoot him fur housebreakin'. Here, Jane, git cup O tea made as soon as the water'l bile. declare fort, this baby's the image ot tyour mother" as she seated herself al last and took the bewildered child on hel lap. ssI love ye, ye little creetur, that tdo." And Josephine's face, where the liz had begun to qufver, turned into smile, and she cuddled her head under tho old aunt's' chin, warm and content, and was presently safe from all harm in sleep seThere, now drink your tea, Priscy, P said Miss Eivira. "You'l feel better soon" "s''I feel better now," said Priscilla.
 Itwas two or three mornings afterward that, as Miss Eivira opened the weekly paper, chatter of laughter resoundeG through the house. "Wal, I swum !'' she exclaimed, 1T didn't know he had bed an board! Seems to me you furnished fboth of lem. I'd like ter see him Q fur. l'biddin' me! Here, jest you hark to thisl' And Miss Elvira read with unction: iNOTICE. WHEREAS my wife, Priscilla Ily Dane, has left my bed and board, I hereby this date, as will pay no bills Of her contract I ing, V tfs ts CHARLES DANE.
 saT TNorwfch Bunetfn.l