Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-01-10
SPECIAL PROVIDENCE.

SPECIAL PROVIDENCE.
Only the breeze from the river made
the heat endurable, as the sun was
shining brilliantly The little white
cottage on Eutero street had been
cleaned the day before, and wherever
Toutou's chubby fingers had left a
taken a bit of channels skin and
rubbed the glass till it sbone.
Church bells were pealing their
impOrtunate summons, and Selika' S
forehead grew puckered. She had al
ways loved to go to church-and loved
the dark GOODNESS and quiet restfulness
that brooded over her as she sat in
hind a stone pillar.
Selika and Gordon were trying to
buy the little cottage on Euterpe street,
so there was no money left for any
thing else, not even for maid to
help with the work and look after
Toutou.
Selika used to think that when TOu-
| would go about together; but now he
was still too much of a baby for Cor
don to be troubled with him.
She had never limited to Gordon
that she sometimes lOnged for Il few
hours of freedom, even from Toutou's
sweet prattle.
The bells had ceased ringing when
Toutou and his mother went into the
beautiful stone church, and Toutou
ran his hands over the wall, saying
''Toutou so hot-wan' Diet tooi-Tou-
tou shirty-"
''Sh-sh," whispered Selika; you are
in church now, Toutou, you must be
STILL
Toutou shook his head so hard that
each little golden curl flew out per-
pendicularly, and his feet battered
nOisily up the broad aisle; his mother
pulled him into a seat and gave him
a book to play with.
While Selika listened. Toutou
stretched himself out at full length
on the soft cushions and went to sleep.
1t was the first time that he had ever
slept in church, and it flashed upon
her that here was a special provi-
dence" coming divinely to her assist
ance.
She felt self-reproachful when the
thought of the sleeping Tcutou kept
obtruding itself upon her, even as she
partook of the bread and wine, and
she wondered what she should do if
he woke, and cried for her. or came
toddling to her, calling, "Mumma-
mum-maw
She could imagine the coldly re-
proachful glances hurled at her, when
she would try to catch him in her
arms to silence his noise-but that
wonderful special providence must
have preserved her from such NORTH
cation, as not a whimper disturbed
the stiffness.
Selika rose from her knees and
walked back, looking in every pew for
Toutou-she walked back almost to
he was gone!
He must be out on the street, and
she fastened out after him, but she
scanned the hot, empty space in vain
no sign of the curly golden head.
An electric car whiZzed past, and
she pressed her hand to her head, cry
ing:-"Oh, Toutou, my baby! Where
are yOu?
She thought she caught glimpse of
little white form toddling on the
other side away toward the river, and
regardless of curious glances she ran,
calling as loud as she could
'Toutou-Toutou-c back"'
Once she stopped long enough to
notify a policeman, and give him
description of the child. Then she ran
on, crying louder and louder
!-stop-Toutou!
'Selikar
A gentleman stretched out his arms
and stopped her: 1t was Gordon.
''Selika-my God!-what is the mat
ter? Where is Toutou?''
Gordon" she gasped, Il thought
you-you-were-
Never mind" impatiently, 81 was
left Where is Toutou?"
1-dOu L-huOW uully, duu iCdu1oS
heavily against him.
1t was some time before she could
make him understand what had hap
pened.
II believe he is in here" Gordon
said firmly, and together they went to
the church, standing in the door and
peering into the gloom.
Then Selika started forward, and |
little white form on the altar steps
stood I'D and said sweetly:-
'Mum-ma-Toutou hid from mum
ma. Toutou hid way back, den Tou-
tou tummeG here for desc pity
shines." opening his hands full Of
withered flowers.
ooh. Toutou. Oh, you naughty.
naughty boy" she laughed, kissing
him rapturously. Gordon, ought to
have had faith-I ought to have be-
lieved in the special providence-and
waited"
He made no answer as he gatherer the
child up in his arms; but the next Sun
day he stayed at home till Toutou was