Middletown transcript., 1896-09-12

DDLET0WN, DELAWARE.
the suburban train. said Mr.. Petit,
grasping the big carpet sack with on
hand, and parcels, bags and the UNI
brella with the other. "You just keel
! close to me, Lucy. That surburar
4 train doesn't wait more than five min
utes.n
Through the big iron gates and up
the wide stairs, everybody meeting and
greeting everybody else, boys shouting
and cabmen crying their fares, and al
last open air. That is, not open all
like the broad meadows and sunny
garden plots of Wilson'S Ferry, but
open air much like gazing up from the
bottom Of good old-fashioned Chin
ney, so tall were the buildings on
either side, 50 very little Of the blue
sky visible overhead.
1t was all very new and very strange
to Mrs. Petit; yet, Notwithstanding
her bewilderment, she faithfully fol-
lowed the guiding carpetsack, hurry
ing onward in its wake, until they were
we'll out on the streets and she was
quite breathless with the brisk walk.
Then, as the carpetsack shifted its
position for moment to the pavement
and its owner turned to mop his brow,
Mrs. Petit saw, to her utter dismay,
that, while his hair was gray. and from
the back he presented an appearance
not unlike that of Ephraim, this man
she had been religiously following was,
in fact, an entire stranger, and that she
herself, Mrs. Petit, was lostl
Quite unconscious of the mischief he
had wrought, the stranger shortly
resumed>his carpet-bag and his pace
together, and joined the great merry-go
round of people while the old lady,
like bit Of flotsam stayed for q mo-
ment in its course, elinging helplessly
to the brown basket, stood looking
about in bewilderment, while people
Mhirled and eddied and divided about
her.
81 guess yer lost, amt youp" said a
big, kindly voice at her side.
Mrs. Petit smiled into the honest
face of the man, who wore blue suit
with brass buttons, and a star upon
his breast.
81 don't know, she said, little
TREMENDOUSLY, "but perhaps l am; that
is, if you don't know where my son,
John Petit, lives"
"Pettit-John Petit. l don't seem
to place him just now," said the police
man, placing his hand upon his chain,
in athoughtful manner. "You don't
happen to know his street or number"
"No." said the old lady; "Ephraim
always directs his letters, and he has
his address on a card in his pocket.
But know they've pat new wing to
the house lately, and it's painted brown
and has bow windows"
The old lady waited anxiously, while
the officer, in the kindness of heart, ap-
peared to ruminate deeply. 81 don't
seem to remember such place, he said
presently; "but we can find it. If
you'll just step down to the station
with melt amt far-where lost people
stay, I'll ring Up the Central police.''
Mrs. Petit relinquished the brown
basket into officer Mellen's hands and
walked cheerfully along by his side.
81 hope your family are well," she
said, politely.
well. tol'rabIe, thank'ee." said the
officer, with rather a new sensation.
1.-THE baby worries some o'nights. She's
only two months old, you know and
colicky like"
"Well, now, Pm so glad | brought
it, )" said Mrs. Petit, reaching for the
basket. 'Such a big bunch of catnip,
too, just in bloom; twice as much as
Johns baby will need. It's sure
relief for collie. And here's some young
yerbena plants I dug this morning with
plenty of earth around them. Maybe
your wife would like them.n
Thereupon paper bag and a paste
beard box changed hands.
ssI think Zee kindly, ma'am,n said the
policeman, touching his cap. "The
catnip we get at the drugstore ain't
much better than dust. ard my wife
amt owned flower since she's been
married. In his secret mind he was
wondering where he could get enough |
dirt to Gil a flower pot to plant them
in.
The detention station was a large,
room, with rows of long, |
hard benches along its walls, little
window behind which sat man at a !
desk, and numberless policemen pass
ing in and out, some accompanied. |
some alone. The man at the desk gave |
to each new conner brought in check |
bearing number, and made a cores
ponding entry in a large book. Mrs.
Petit found herself suddenly So.
"You'll be called for," said Officer
Mellen, touching his hat; "and it's
much obliged am for your kindness,
ma'am." To himself he added, as he |
turned away Its shame for the likes
of her to be put in this place.
There were dozens Of people seated
on the benches men, women and
children some with heads bowed In
misery. sickness or despair,
others upright and defiant. many grown |