Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-12-30

ing anything else usefuI. And lie
knew 1t. And yet. out of the compass
sion of his benevolet heart, he offered
her nve hundred dollars year to come
and keep house for him! Miss Hit did
not exactly jump at the offer for two
reasOns-hrst, she was great deal too
Dig fat and unwieldy to jump at any
thing and secondly. she felt her own
utter incapacity. and frankly con-
fessed 1t. But the captain, who wished
to do her good, and not to make her
useful. would take no refusal.
Oh captain!" she said, at length,
you are very good. but-consider peo-
pies tongues"
Nonsense about peoples tongues.
Miss Hit: Fear God and keep the ten
commandments. and you may set pcO-
pies tongues ut Defiance" said the
honest old sailor.
And so Miss Hit moved to the island,
and as the end of children's stories
say. "lived happy ever afterward."
She poured out the captains coffee and
tea. and that was the extent OF her
housekeeping; for she would have no
more ventured to interfere with the do
mcstic government of old Aunt Molly,
the cook than she would have run her
flaXen head into the kitchen fire. Miss
Hit had been with the captain more
than 4 year when she was summoned
to his presence this Christmas Eve.
And now she stood. painting and blow
ing. and gazing with establishment at
the captains occupation, while she
awaited his commands.
Miss Hit. this is my child, and 1
wish you to be a mother to her." he
said.
We'll, Captain Fuljoy! I'm sure,
sir! And at your age! And to me!
What next, l wonder!" rather incohe-
rcntly exclaimed the deeply-scandal-
lied lady.
"Bosh! meant to say that 1, who
am childless, have adopted this little
child. and that 1 wish you to be very
good to her. And, first of all, want
you to put warm, nice new suit of
clothes on her Immediately.
Good gracious me. captain! Where
do you think could find suit of
clothes for her to-day? There never
has been q child in the house. or a
child's dress! So where are we to get
it,"
why, sew one up for her at once!
She is little thing. and the seam
wouldn't be half as long as my arm,
ard that wouldn't take you five min
utes to sew! l know something about
Eecdlcwork, if l am an old bachelor"
said the captain, confidently.
This took the last Whit of Miss Hits
short breath away, leaving her quite
incapable of remonstrance or reply.
And before she recovered ner wind or
wits. the captain put the child in her
arms, saying:
There, take her away! I see Judy
| coming. and l wish to see her alone.
And hear! Miss Hit! tomorrow is
| Christmas Day, you know! So have
| the child pretty nice, new suit; and
| let it be something bright and soft, and
warm. and-you know what l meant"
May die if I do!' groaned Miss
Hit. as she logged her burden off.
'Me tan walk! and me don't want
any new clothes; and me will give no
trouble; and me will be very good if
you will let me 'tay. 1t is so nice here, I"
pleaded the child.
Miss Hit, who was really very kind
hearted. laid the chi!d's cheek against
her own by way Of reply. ard then
asked:
Are you the little Irish girl from
the shanty:"
Yes. ma am"
81 thought so, but ] did not know
you at first" said Miss Hit, bearing
her out of hearing
Meantime Judy entered the library.
Il sent for you about Daney,' said
the captain.
"Sure and I knew it! l said she'd
tire your honor out at long last! I'm
heart-scalded along of the throuble of
that child! Sure and wish had new
er seen the face of herr" said the Wo-
man.
The captain looked at her in surprise
and disgust, as we'll as with renewed
suspicion.
"No mother ever wishes that of her
own child" he said.
"Indade, and she is my own child,
thought" said the woman, Obstinately.
Very well, you know best But now
j have proposal to make to you The
child is here"
"Bedad! and know that same"
Il wish to adopt her will bind
myself to support, educate and provide
for her. If you are her mother. you
will be glad Of any improvement in her
circumstances. If you are not her
mother, you will be still gladder to get
rid Of child that you consider so
very troublesome
| (To Be C0ntinued.l