The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-07-06
LOST AND FOUND

StatioBs." said the sergeant, "but 20
seem pretty much at home, just tho same.
"Cudgn, cudga, cudga," 1t answered
"Da-da,. dada, dada"
ave hear all sorts Of languages here
but wo don't seem to understand you,
remarked one Of the officers. Then, turn
Ing to a fellow policeman, he asked
"Where did you find the kidp"
| II didn't. 1t found me. l guess 1t
nanny was a-shoppin and 1t must hay
walked out Of store. Anyhow, l move
caught sight Of 1t until 1t trotted out int
the street and took hold o. my hand.
waited round with 1t long time, hopir
its nanny would como for 1t, and then
brought 1t here"
"Blame me, If 1t amt the handles,
youngster l evor clapped eyes on" put
IN tho sergeant, as the aburd little hand
patted the silver star on tho sergeant
coat.
"Seems to be we'll logged out too. Amt
no ordinary, everyday kid, judgin by its
clothes"
Tho object Of this conversation now held
up Its short little arms and wrinkled up
Its face. The tiny lips began to CULVER as
no move was made to tako 1t.
Blamed II dare hold you'll" said tho
sergeant "1'd break you somewhere OF
lot you drop, and then whered you bep'
Dada da-da-da, cudga, oudgn," 1t an
swered, Tho sergeant stopped and looked
into the sapphire eyes The little arms
closed around the red, fat neck and tho
tiny mouth smiled in baby happiness. Tho
Stt ht, ,uJ h,r a., 81
the bundle of white oashmeres and laco up
into clumsy heap and its babyship cooed
happily over the shoulder of the bluecoat
The child passed from ono officer to an
other until each one had had tho honor Of
seeing the chubby fingers dabblo and play
with tho brass buttons and glittering star
Old Dougherty was the last ono to whose
care Its babyship was given. He put 1t
on the floor and the white shoes battered
up and down the room, while the "goo-
goo-goo" continued, as If tho babe were
anxious to have Its entire audience COM
pletely aware that while the tongue was
not educated, the small feet were accom-
plished.
"I'Il bet my hat" venturod tho sergeant,
as he looked through his wiro cage, ON
bet my hat that it will be mighty scared
woman that comes for this kid"
"I'd give me months salary" said
Doughcrty, "bo jabers, II OF had It's loiko."
Then, brushing his gray beard against tho
pink cheek, no took up the bundle of
white stuff and carried 1t to the window,
where tho sapphire eyes looked out and
blinked morriy at the passersby, The
sergeant shifted and blew his nose vigorous
ly. He had suddenly remembered that
many years ago, Dougherty had lost his
three children in some frightful accident
The plump fingers ran along the VIM
dow glass and tho white hooded head nod
ded at the stream of people that hurried
by. But no one noticed, and Dougherty
was about to plan some new amusement,
when well dressed man caught sight of
the babys face and then, nervous and OK
cited, ran into the station house.
GLOW came this child heres" he dc.
manded, almost fercely, as he took tho
little creature into his arms and pressed
kisses on tho diinpled fists. II am the
child's father. Tell me quickly how came
sho here9"
Number TAG found 1t in tho middle Of
the street." answered tho sergeant, refer
lllB W VIZ ~ Nho hU tho SoA-
ner of S and NJ, in the busiest part OF
tho shopping district"
my God It's wonder she wasn't
crushed to death by the cars or trampled
under horses hoofs."
There was hurried opening Of the std,
tlon house door, the rustic of silken skirts,
and a white faced, trembling woman up
peared. AT sight Of tho man and child
she stood as If too bewildered and par.
alyzcd to speak. Then tho bundle of lace
and tho white hood and tho small shoes
began to wiggle and squrnl, and, In an.
other moment, the baby was running to.
ward its mother, who now was softly
weeping. She clasped the child in her
arms, and tho sergeant noticed that Dough
erty drow his rough sleeve over his eyes
and then hurricdly loft the room
1t seemed strange, thought the sergeant,
that the mother and father Of the child
appeared SO distant He was still mere
bewildered when the child's father lifted
his hat and said:
"Shall take Muriel to tho carriagoS"
and sile mother answered, half audibly:
"If you will DO so kind"
Then they thanked the sergeant for his
hiliilGso anu Phesci oup ihlo iHE Bull
shine
At tho carriage door the man assisted
his wife into tho vehicle, and then handed
tho baby to her. She nodded hor head in
silent thanks. He again lifted his hat and
was soon lost in the crowd Of passershy.
That night woman, with a heavy, sor,
rowful heart, knelt by tho side of her
baby's cradle and wept bitterly.
For the first time in several weeks she
had been face to faco with the man whom
she had loved and married-thc man whose
child she had cared for SO tcndorly, with
truo motherly affection and devotion.
Had sho but taken the opportunity to
bid him return, had she but begged him
to end tho wretchedncss of the past month,
had her lips but obeyed the commands OF
her heart, could she for once have muir
dercd her pride and extended her hand to
him, how different might their future be!
Such thoughts flow through her mind
with agonizing tormenting quickncss.
There was no world outside her own heavy
heart. Her head fell among tho down
covcrlets of tho cradle, and she sobbod
aloud.
She did not hear tho soft step behind
her. She did not know that some one had
entered the room until an arm was about
her and a beseeching voice was saying:
"Clarel Wifo have returned to bog
forgiveness. Please BIO friends again. l
cannot exist without you. Pleased
Pleasov'
sit was such q silly quarrel, wasn't it,
dear9" she said, struggling closer to him
and raising her wet eyes to his, land yet
wo were SO stubborn. I'm sure woll mover
quarrel again, and, even il We do, you
won't go away, will your And we won't
wait whole month to make up, will wo?"
Tho tiny creature in the cradle moved.
Tho small arms reached out and clutched
ut the silken hangings of the canopy Two
sapphire eyes opened and looked at the
man and woman to whom tho happenings
of renewed love had come. Chicago Roc
ord