Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1894-08-18
FROSTBURG, Md, SATURDAY, AUGUST 1S, 1894.

she'll be done fer. Sam said the 81
man whose horse he had left ha''
shod. "You couldn't a made fin
lady out o her"
"No. couldn't a-done that" -
Sam.
During the summer the news spree
through the village that granny'S bal
was gctttin' kind Of cross and pp"viSh
and that the great lady had said to
the nurse that it was a mistake for II
person TO adopt child.
Two months later it was declared
positively that Mrs. Eusticp was going
10 Europe with her husband and her
great aunt: that granny's baby lay ill
IN the big house; that Mrs. EuSticr
had told the doctor she never could
forgive herself for adopting the child.
The sun was about three feet from
the top of the second hill when the
bit of flying gossip reached the black
smiths shop and was Just sinking
behind the hill Wien Il broad-shouldcr-
ed man walked hastily across the
ground and entered the big house by
the rear way.
While the man sat waiting in the
library he took from his pocket Il
greasy pocket book. and. opening it,.
laid the contents on his knee. His
hand trembled as he counted the notes
over to make sure they were all right,
$1,000.
There was sweep of dainty gar
nents along the hall. and Mrs. Eustice
came into the library. She gave Il
slight start upon recognizing her Wis
itor. regarding him not so much as
tl,n l,l IL 81, Inv
sight ut the shop. but as the man who
and bid against her for granny's
baby.
Il hear" said the man slowly, that
you're gOin' off to Europe"
Yes" said the lady.
"And they say that the baby amt
80 WE'LL
"Ycs. that's true. too. It's been all
ing all summer What do you wish:"
Il was thinkin'." he said. 'that as
the whole transaction was Il business
one. that now being as you're goin'
away. and the baby's sick. mcbbe as
you might be willin' to sell. I'm ready
to give you yer price"
Mrs. EuStice was startled. She had
lamentcd that reckless squandcring of
her money at the village more than
once. but. according to herself. she
was honest.
"YOu ought to see the poor little
thing" she said "Come, I'll show her
to YOU
Silently Sam Winters followed the
great lady to the nursery where the
baby tossed in its little crib. ''She'S
had the best of doctors" said Mrs.
Eustice. ''but l don't believe anybody
knows what's the matter with her"
"Ill give you Sl.6O0.' said the
man. huskily
so. dear no." cried the lady: that
wouldn't he fair. Why | doubt if she
lives till we return. | tell you what
I'll take 500 if you are willing to run
the risk. It's outlandish selling Il
baby. but then, you know, l bought
her"
Winters counted out the money and
handed it over. He had not dared to
touch the baby that belonged to the
great lady. but after paying the 500
he stopped and rattted the little fam
ing face.
Down the richly carpcted steps,
through the broad hall. out into the
park and on along the pike FASTENED
the man with his precious bundle. his
$500 baby.
He did not go to the blacksmith
shop or the bachelor quarters behind
it. but directly to that little white
washed cottage where lived the old
woman who had been rescued from
the poorhousc He went into the house
and laid the baby on the bed.
"Granny." he called softly. granny"
She came in slowly from the kitchen
shading her old eyes.
Don't you think you kin nurse 4
:ttlc baby till she's wcll:"
The old woman fell on her knees be-
side the bed. she gathered the baby
close in her arms. she swayed to and
fro as if she We're rocking it; the
apathy had vanished from her face,
it was as glad as sunshine.
''I'll n,lSs her till she gifts WE'LL" she
Sobbcd cor we'll die together
Six months had passed away. 1t
was on beautiful afternoon in the
Springtimc. all the roses in Two Hills
were abloom. A carriage drawn by
two splendid baTS came gathering up
the village street. The great people
had returned.
Sitting in the d ,orStcp of a little
low-haircd girl She was swinging her
feet and singing at the top of her
voice. Above her the red roses trail
ed themselves luXuriouSly.
The lady looked out and waved her
hand and smiled: the child stopped
singing and stared.
"Shc doesn't know me-" said the
great lady. with a half sigh and Il
laugh.
But the yellow haired girl rose from
the. doorstep with alacrity. ran into
the cottage and laid her head in the
old grandmother'S lap. hiding her face.
I'm Granny's baby" she sobbcd.
The old woman heard the carriage
wheels and the cantering horses. She
passed her hand tcndcrly over the
rufficd yellow head.
! Eyes. deary." she said fondly. 'and
, her amt never goin' to be sol no
more. re.'-Washington Star.