Griggs courier., 1893-06-30

everything th8e could be dO0e had been
done except this-this hardest of ALL
waiting.
She was not the only child lost that
day. They had heard at the stations of
another, a baby, lost the night before or
stolen, its nurse had not returned, and
the parents were half frantic with grief
and fear. Uncle Jim had NO room in
his heart for their trouble, save as it
added to his own apprehensions. Out
all night, no one knew where, and the
city like this!
He wiped the perspiration from his
forehead and paced up and down, up
and down, under the elm tree.
The street was still noisy with the
rumbling of wagons blockaded during
the morning and Uncle Jim could not
hear the little voice from the tent call.
ing him.
Dot had wakened to find herself
prisoner. There was no way down from
her loft, SO she must wait. Some ono
was sure to come.
She had been very philosophical dur.
ing the first five or ten minutes, but
when hour after hour passed and still
no one came to her rescue, and the
baby just wouldn't wake up, her
philosophy deserted her and it was a
very piteous little voice indeed that
called-"Uncle Jim, Uncle J-i-i-m."
Uncle Jim could not see before him
very clearly. Something kept coming
into his eyes and binding him and he
fancied now and then he could hear
Dots voice calling him. As he neared
the tent the voice grew more distinct.
He hurried in, brushed the ''pesky
tears" out of his "old fool eyes" and
looked about.
"Uncle J-i-i.mr'
He heard it this time, there was no
mistake, but look where he would up
and down the long aisles there was no
one to be seen.
Uncle Jim! Up here! Up here in the
highest cot! It's too high, and can't
get down."
Uncle Jim's heart gave great throb
as he went in the direction of the voice,
and there was Dot peeping over the
edge of cot No. 80.
You may be quite sure it wasn't long
before she was Rugged close against
Uncle Jim's big heart, telling her story
of the baby, the baby that just wouldn't t
wake up!
''Hey? Baby? Up in the cot? You
jest wait"
Dot was put tenderly down while
Uncle Jim climbed &c see what new
wonder cot No. 80 held. He lifted the
tiny lace bundle very gently and came
carefully down. 1t did not stir in his
arms, but he scarcely noticed that; his
only thought was to get it and Dot home
to Nudge.
He forgot it was his last dime he
handed the conductor, that the borrow
ing Nudge loathed so must go on again,
forgot everything but that Dot was
here, hungry, tired; yes. even q little
cross, but safe.
How glad Nudge would be!
Yes, how glad Nudge was, to be sure,
and Kate: how they kissed Dots tear
full little face over and over again and
would have asked dozen questions,
but for the wee lodgeF in Uncle Jim's
arms. Nudge looked very grave as she
took it and heard its story. She hur-
ried Uncle Jim off at once for doctor.
who also looked grave. Something
crooked" he said. The child might re-
cover, but he said it as if he doubted.
While Nudge ana Katie and the doc
tor worked over it, Uncle Jim went to
the nearest police station, for ''jest as
likely as not, it's the very baby we
heard of. You jest wait. You Jest
wait, an I'll go ar see" he had said.
In less than an Eour a carriage came
dashing up to the door. Such a car
riage! Such horses: Such a coachman
and footman! 1t took Dots breath
quite away to see Uncle Jim's old coat
against the velvet cushions Then a
lady-a princess. Dot thought-and a
tall, grave man came hurrying into the
little parlor where Nudge sat in a low
wicker chair, Uncle Jim's lodger in her
arms.
The princess lady" sprang toward
her and gathered the little bundle to
her heart and Dot couldn't tell why she
wanted to cry when the princess lady
kissed it again and again, saying:
baby, darling Oh. my little baby"
Then they had thanked Nudge and
Kate, and. mt,re than all, Dot, who
thought that wasn't right at all since it
was quite an accident, her finding the
baby; but before she had time to finish
the thought the carriage was rolling
away and with it the wee white lodger.
Now comes something that isn't at
all fashionable in every day humdrumi-
ty, not even in story land, but it didn't
spoil anything for Nudge or Kate or
Dot, not even for Uncle Jim. So why
should tell it?
There came letter with foreign
stamp to the door one day and out of it
dropped check for-you'll be sure to
think am romancing if say for how
much, SO / will just say for larger
sum than Uncle Jim needed to put him
straight again. There was a letter. too,
from the little lodger's father, saying
the baby was well, had recovered fully,
but they hsd not been able to learn
anything of its nurse or how It had been
left in cot 80, but he sent heart full of
thanks and hoped Uncle jim would let
him pay for his baby's lodging. His
wife sent her thanks, too, and her love
A L