Middletown transcript., 1896-09-12

bitterly, sinking into his old position
Mrs. Petit was mystified; but .thi
was plainly a trouble that catnip coul
not reach-a trouble Of the heart.
"I'm sorry for you,u she said, qua
yeringly, laying her quantity gloves
hand upon his arm, "but whateve
your trouble il, with the Lords he'll
you can live it down. y
"102, ,nsaid an officer. touching th'
man on the shoulder.
The man rose to follow, hesitated
then held out trembling hand. 'eWitl
the Lords help, when l get out Of thi'
I'll try to live it down. he said
huskily. He looked at the witheret
hand within his own a moment will
twitching lips. then gently laid it dowr
and left the room.
Down the rows<of poor humanity
moved Mrs. Petit. Ginger cookies
caused baby eyes to shine, and kindly
words dropped like rain upon arid
hearts. The brown basket brought
forth punches Of fragrant June pinks,
clusters Of elder blossoms and packages
of marigold seeds. A bottle of home
made cordial and dozen fresh eggs
were put into the hands of a young
woman with hectic cheeks and a hol-
low cough, who held a wayward broth.
er's hand anxiously in her own. "There
won't be much left for Johns wife,
thought Mrs. Petit, regretfully; shut
dear knows these poor creatures need
it.n
Two hours later the door swung
violently in, and an excited group en-
tered. An old gentleman with a fringe
Of white whiskers under his chin, a tall
young gentleman looked very red and
excited, and two officers. A moments
conversation at the desk, and 81 was
called.
But "58," close in conversation with
two little vagrants, the baby girl in her
lap and the boy at her side, with traces
of tears upon her old cheeks, had for
gotten that she had ever been given a
number.
'You will never be hungry again" :"
she was saying, solemnly, "neyer beat
en,never forsaken. You shall go home
with me, and Tony shall own the dog,
while the white kitten shall belong to
the baby sister,"
stMotherp' said a voice in which
there were both joy and tears, and in
moment pair of strong arms had her
in their embrace.
"Lucy," said another voice, which
sounded like Ephraim's muffied with a
lobster, "I'll never forgive myself for
losing you-never.
"Why, John," said Mrs. Petit,
s'and Ephraim, tool Pm so glad
you've come. There is SO much trouble
in the world, and here I've been sit
ting home shutting my ears to it.
Ephraim. l know you won't care. You
never opposed me in anything in my
life. Pm going to take these children
home with me and keep them. There's
nobody in the world to look after or
do for them."
''But mother, such charge at your
agen-began her son.
"John," said Mrs. Petit, with the
solemnity of conviction, tits the
Lords call. They're sweet handsome
little things, and such life as they've
led! Ephraim, you don't object? We
will call the baby Elenor, in memory
Of our own.
For answer Mr.. Petit stopped and
lifted the baby in his arms.
81 guess we've got money enough to
hire nurse if they are CHARGE" he
said, triumphantly. "John you're a
lawyer; you can fix up the papers as
soon as you like.n
And so the losing of Mrs: Petit like
the wandering Of a clear brook over
parched meadows, leaving fresh and
grateful all behind, carried also on its
bosom to harbor of safety two tender
souls.