Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-10-26
THE FOUNDING.

Barlow was somewhat late, for an
annoying error in posting by an under
bookkeeper had detained him at the Of
flee. He walked rather more rapidly
than usual, for he knew that the major,
Simpson and Granger were waiting for
him to make the fourth hand in the
game of whist which always preceded
dinner. Collins was not home, for he
had gone to Milwaukee and would not
return until the next morning, and Bar
low knew that the major was impatient
ly tapping the table with his fingers and
watching the door
For seven years the five men had lived
together, and the whist game before
dinner was one of the household habits
which had fastened itself upon the lit
tie community as vital element Of its
placid existence. The men were all past
middle age, and any depression from
the routine Jared the entire domestic
machinery for the time Dinner was al
ways served at o'clock, and Barlow
felt moro than guilty for it was not
only nearly o'clock, but the afternoon
was the Saturday half holiday, and he
should have been home several hours
earlier.
He increased his pace when he turned
into the street which for three blocks
was the bottom of an architectural
CANYON, its sides formed Of solid rows
of houses each exactly like the other. As
he approached the center house OF the
middle block he felt for his latchkey
and drew it from his pocket when he
turned TO ascend the steps. The key
dropped from his hand, and he fell back
a pace, for cooling at him from the cor
ner of the little porch baby stretched
its chubby arms toward him and smiled
when the key jingled ON the stone step.
Barlow's first thought was that he
had taken the wrong steps, and he stead
ily stared at the number painted on the
transom. The number was right, and he
rapidly checked it off with the familiar
window curtains and the dOormat The
majors burly form came into view
through the window, and then Barlow
concentrated his attention on the baby.
1t cooed gently and made an effort to
crawl down the steps.
Hold on; you'll hurt yourself,
cried Barlow as the baby leaned peril
ously over the edge Of the doorstep. The
little ono looked mp and smiled again,
and then for the first time in his mem
CRY Barlow held baby IN his arms.
For several minutes he stood looking
MP and down the street but no one
came to help him. He pressed the baby
60 him as he stopped for his key. and
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room with the baby under his arm as
though it were laundry bundle.
"Hello, you're here at last, said the
m2jor loosening the belt of his dress
ing gown and reaching for deck OF
cards. "What kept Bless my soul,
what have you got there?"
The baby kicked its heels and struck
out with its arms as though swimming
for Barlow hand was under its stomach
as he held it against his hip. Simpson
dropped the evening paper nGd stared at
the baby with his mouth open. Granger
forgot the blazing match which he was
holding over his pipe bowl, and it burn
ed to his fingers rs nc gazed blankly at
Barlow and the kicking infant.
The oppressive silence was broken by
n sudden cry from the baby, and the
major caught it by one leg just in time
to save il from striking the floor for
Barlow dropped IT when the cry came.
For u second the ma)Vr bcld the baby
by its leg, while a series -: uuiiied eX-
plosions came from under the clothing,
which had fallen over the baby's heat
Then he gently lowered the little one
to the floor, and ell silently watched
the strange creature eQuirm and strug-
gle its way ont of the maze Of linen and
flannel and finally sit up, ted faced
Gearfnl, screaming baby.
Bariow's explanation was incOhefent,
for he, like the major, Granger and
Sim 7son, was in state of mental
chaos. The baby screams brought Bob,
the colored cook and ali around servant
from the dining room, sitd his black
face increased the vigor Of tins iptantlle
wells and deepened the scarlet hue Of itS
face 10 purplish tinge.
A twisted wire brooch which held
the little sack at The neck gave the
babv's name as joey" The major was
seized with all inspiration. Swapping
his fingers, he said, Here, Joey, here,
here, here, - as he used 70 speak to the
only do1 he ever owned.
The other men felt an immense nd
miration for the major for joey sud.
denly stopped crying The minute Of ST
lence seemed an hour ~ the anxious old
bachelors looking down at the tiny
stranger
Joey was strangely quiet His moutti
was wide open, his eyes bulged, and a
rafting sound IN his throat alarmed
Barlow.
"For heavens sake, get some water.
Thu.np il on the back. Open all the
windows. The baby is choking to
death" And he dropped OH his knees
and began beating the baby's back and
chest with 6is palm. A pitcher and
glass Of water &-ere brought The win
dows and doors wele thrown open, and
rho major, wildly excited, swished q
newspaper i'm tho baby's face, tanning
II frantically Simpson dashed glass
of water into Joey's eyes and mouth.
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