The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-10-29
cumbed at last, and fell into a quiet

Brown became more composed by
degrees and more capable of looking
the situation in the face.
AS he looked upon the little creature
now smiling sweetly in Its slumber
his heart began to relent. 1t bore q
striking likeness to his paragon at
home; and If Polly's consent could only
be obtained to adopt the little waif as
a twin brother or sister, as the case
might be- of their own baby, wouldn't
that be the easiest way of escape from
the ridicule which was Browns great
est dread? Sam Twiggs, the only one
present who knew him, might be per-
suaded to silence.
Big with this project, Brown reached
his home, and Polly was running for
ward to fling her arms about his neck,
when, stopping short, What in the
name of goodness have you there?"
she exclaimed.
Brown stammered out an incoherent
explanation, winding up with a state
ment of the plan he had been cogitat-
ing
Polly Brown was woman of not
more than average jealousy; but from
her husbands composed manner and
singular proposal, the shadow of the
green-eyed monster grimly rose before
her fancy, and her wrath waxed fierce
and hot.
How dare you insult me to my
face?" she screamed, in a voice that
made Brown tremble.
''If-R you'd only look at 1t, Polly"
Brown pleaded land see how much it
looks like our own darling, you'd feel
kinder towards IT, 1t was that that first
softened me-"
This only added fuel to the flames.
To Polly it was only fresh proof of her
worst suspicious.
Take it away! Take 1t awayw she
cried, falling back on the sofa in high
Mysteries. 1T would blast my sight
to look at itr'
But where shall take II tor" quer-
led Brown, helplessly.
ITO the founding hospital-the poor
house-anywhere away from here"
Polly, assure you-"
But Polly drummed violently with
her heels on the carpet, and would not
listen.
Brown dared say no more, and lug
ging with him his luckless charge, beat
a hasty retreat
"Oh, mumw cried the nurse, rushing
in with a frightened look; whatever
shall do? Baby's lostr'
That morning, be it explained, Mrs
Brown had sent her baby with its aunt
and new nurse she had engaged the
week before to the aunt's home in the
country, with instructions to the nurse
to bring the child back in the evening
Polly went out of her Mysteries in
less time than 1t took to fall into them
1.-The baby lost" she exclaimed
starting up, her face ashy pale.
"Oh! num-" the nurse continued
you see, was getting on the train to
come home when a nice-looking gen.
tleman offered to carry baby for me
and l let him. / went first and he fol
lowed After / got in l remembered
that had left baby's hood in the wait.
ingroom. l couldn't turn back for the
crowd. and so went on through the
car and out at the other enc. / found
the h ood, but just then the train start
ed carrying away the gentleman, baby
and all, and I've just got here by the
next train. Oh! whatever shall / do"
A new light broke on Polly.
"Quick!-call hack!' said she to
the nurse.
In an instant one was at the door
and fast as the horses coUF go, Polly
was driven to the founding hospital.
Brown, who had begun to feel q
warm interest in the deserted baby
was in the act of giving it a parting
kiss before depositing it in the basket
when he felt a hand upon his arm.
Give me that babyw cried Mrs b.
fairly snatching it from his hands.
'Don't-don't, Polly, for Heavens
sake don't hurt the little creature!
begged Brown, not knowing to what
extreme Polly's jealous rage might car
ry her.
Hurt it, you Ounce" cried Polly
devouring it with KISSES" why, it's oul
own babyw
1t was a long time before Brown got
over certain feeling of cheapness
quite new in his experience, and still
longer before his friends ceased to re-
member and repeat the story OF
Browns Baby.