The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-07-28
blacksmith left his job Of shoeing and

blacksmith left his job Of shoeing and
retired TO the interior OF the shop
"You couldn' = "a done fer her Al she'll
be done fer, Sam, = said the old man
whose horse he had left half she'd. You
couldn't L "a made d fine lady out o. her. =
No. / couldn't "a done that, = said
Sam.
During the summer the news spread
through tho village that g'anny Is baby
was getting kind of cross and peevish,
and that the great lady had said to the
nurse that it was mistake for person
to adopt child.
Two months later it was declared
positively that Mrs. Eustice was going
TO Europe with her husband and her
great aunt; that g'anny's baby lay i'll
in the big house; that Mrs Eustice 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 be-
hind the hill when broad shouldered
man walked hastily across the grounds
and entered the big house by the rear
way.
While the man sat waiting in the
library he took from his pocket q greasy
pocketbook, and opening it laid the
contents On his knea His hand trem-
bled as he counted the notes over to
make sure they were all right @f, 600.
There was q sweep Of dainty garments
along the hall. and Mrs. Eustice came
into the library. She gave slight start
upon recognizing her visitor, regarding
him mot 90 much a. the blacksmith,
whom she knew by sight at the shop
but as the man who had bid against her
for g'anny's baby.
Ii 81 hear, :, said the man slowly, ''that
you're goin of TO Europe"
Yes," said the lady.
And they say that the baby amt so
welIs',
Yes that's true too. It's been all
ing all summer. What did you wish?''
''I was thinkin, he said, THAT as
the whole transaction was business
one--that, now being as you're goin
away, and the baby's sick, mebbe as
you might be willin to sell I'm ready
to give you yer price. -
Mrs. Eustice was startled. She had
lamented that reckless squandering Of
her money at the village auction 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 Eus-
tice, ''but ! don't believe anybody knows
what's the matter with her.
''I'l give you 81, 600," said the man
huskily.
''Oh, dear nol' cried the lady; ''that
wouldn't be fair. Why, I doubt If she
lives till we return. I tell you what,
I'll take $500 if you are willing to run
the risk. It's outlandish, selling a
baby; but, then, you know, I 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 patted the little flaming
face.
Down the richly carpeted steps,
through the broad hail. ont into the park
and ON along the pike hastened the man
with his precious bundle, his $500 baby.
He did not go to the blacksmith shop
or the bachelor quarters behind il, hut
directly TO that little whitewashed cot
tage where lived the old woman who
had been rescued from the poorhouse.
He went into the house and laid the
baby ON the bed
Granny" he called softly, Gran.
ny''
She came in slowly from the kitchen,
shading her old eyes.
Don't you think You kin nurse lit
tie baby till she's well?''
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 were rocking ii. The apathy
had vanished from her face; it was as
glad as sunshine.
81 ''I'll nuss her till che gifts well, " she
sobbed. ''or wen die together.
Six months had passed away. It was
ON beautiful afternoon in the spring
time. All the roses in Two Hills were
abloom. A carriage drawn by two
splendid bays came Gathering up the
village street. The great people had re-
turned
Sitting In the doorstep Of little
whitewashed cottage was small yel-
low haired girl She was swinging her
feet and singing at the top Of her voice.
Above her the red roses trailed them
selves luxnriously.
The lady looked out and waved her
hand and smiled The child stopped
singing and stared
''Ehe doesn't know me, " said the
great lady. with D half sigh and q laugh.
But the yellow haired girl rose from
the doorstep with alacrity, ran into the
cottage and laid her head In the old
uandmothar's lap. hiding her face
I'm g'anny's baby. = she sobbed
mwsM . -