Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1893-07-14

zoo elAgantn remarked a stout woman
sarcast !cally.
That's So" replied the first speaker.
"She said; Let them that lost it look for
It, Jimmie brought it home, and he'll
have to amuse it till the mother comes
says she. IL serves Jimmie right, though"
the stout woman added decidedly. "A
pretty trick to wheel home the wrong
babyr'
Meg felt faint. She leaned against the
railing. Whose baby were they talking
about2
Where was his OWN" asked the third
woman, who didn't seem tounderstand the
circumstances
"Why, you know he left it beside store
while he played marbles, and his mother
came along and took it home to brighten
biml''
"Hal hal hal"
you may depend she was mad, though,
when he brought home a strange babyr'
"Ha, ha, hap
Could two babies be lost in one dayp Meg
stood in doubt a few minutes, while the
two women discussed the story She re-
membered the little boy whom she had seen
up the street, and stepped boldly up to the
takers.
Twill you please tell me who's found
babyS" she asked
The eyes and tongues of all three were
directed at her at once.
"Whyr' "Well-have you lost one9"
"Mercy on usl Do you know whose it isi"
Meg colored, but stood her ground.
Somebody wheeled our baby away while
went into a store on an Grand" she ex-
planned. We've been looking for her all
the morning."
The three women were delighted. They
all insisted on escorting Meg down the
street and into the right house The mourn
full little boy sat on the front steps, his at
titude showing his thorough disgust with
life.
You'd better go up and take care Of
your twins, Jimmie!" laughed the sarcastic
woman.
Jimmie looked at her, his countenance
expressing unutterable things.
Come, Jimmie, come" cried the sharp
little woman, take us up stairs. We want
to see your motherv'
This young lady has lost her baby, jim
mie," said the tall woman kindly. Per
haps it's the one you've found"
Jimmie's face frightened He stole a
glance at Meg, remembering she had spoken
to him. He turned into the house and led
the way up stairs.
Here's somebody come for that babyr'
he announced gruffiy.
He threw open the door and Immediately
got behind it, whence he could easily OBJ
serve proceedings or escape if he should
find it prudent.
II thought somebody would come" ex-
claimed drawing voice. 81 knew the
child would be called for. She evidently
belonged to nice people"
The speaker rocked herself in low
chair, Her hair was in papers, and she
wore pink wrapper. In her lap lay an
embroidered tidy, at which she took Ian
guild stitches. 1t may be recorded here that
Meg gave up tides from that day
She did not stop to examine the lady,
however, but snatched up one of the two
babies who crawled about the floor and
kissed and Rugged Julia more lovingly
than she had ever done before.
Jimmie, behind the door, was startled.
He wondered if he should feel the same af-
lection for Lauretta if she were lost for
three hours.
The three women all talked together.
The lady in the rocking chair listened COM
placently, convinced that she had done all
that could be expected when she allowed
the strange baby to creep ON her carpet till
called for.
Il told Jimmie" she laughed, he'd
have to take care of two babies instead of
one"
Jimmie had disappeared into the hall.
II think I'll take the baby home to man.
ma; she's fretting about her." said Meg,
holding the baby very tight Were very
much obliged to you, ma'am, for keeping
her here"
Mrs. Smith bowed politely. She indicat-
ed with her forefnger where Meg would
find the baby's clothes and wraps
Meg dressed her and carried her cheer
fully down stairs, followed by cheerful
Good morningl" from Mrs. Smith With
light heart she tucked Julia once more
into her carriage. Jimmie stood watching
her from the door.
"Sayv' he called. Are you really glad
to get that kid back3"
Meg laughed out of her gladness. "Why,
of coursep'
did you feel awful bad when you found
she was Comet"
"Of course" said Meg again. "What
made you do such a stupid thing as to
wheel home the wrong baby?"
"Oh," he said, grinning, II didn't bring
her homer He lowered his voice. II was
playing with Bob Price and sent another
fellow, and he didn't know her, you seen
Good gracious!'' exclaimed Meg, look
ing at Jimmie with horror.
But Jimmie was bursting with his
wrongs.
Perhaps you think you had the hardest
time of it, but if you had to amuse an extra
baby three hours you'd know finding a
baby was worse than losing one!''
Meg was so impressed with his air OF
conviction that she said not a word.-Ex.
.hange.