The Monitor-register., 1897-01-15
WN, N. j., FRIDAY. JANUARY TX. 1897
DAv1D's BABY.
BY ELLA F. MosEY.

- AhLhh L. mOohAs
"He's jest common-sized boy,
ma'am."
This was the battling reply to Mrs.
Wilmot's question about the size of Mrs.
Browns boy. Mrs. Wilmot was the
minister's wife, and Mrs. Brown one of
his outlying parishioners, mountaineer
from one of the steepest and widest
peaks of the Ridge. Her husband had
died in the great snowstorm of the past
winter, and David, her only boy, was her
sole prop and stsy. Mrs. Wilmot thought
suit of clothes would not come amiss.
even if secondhand.
But what was "a common size" for
boys? To Mrs. Wilmot's experience thew
we're of all sorts and sizes. Her mind
reverted to Richard, her long bog, and his
Aunt Ellen's frequent entreaty: Richard
my dear, Wncross feso Of yoWr legsr' to
Robin, a head shorter, who was now
crumpled mp in heap over 'Stories of
Lion Hunting in South Africa" and
John, a round, roly poly of boy-and
she looked perplexed.
Nom, be amt to say big, nor Wit
small; he's jest common-sizad bog,
betwixt and between"
Mrs. Wilmot in despair went after the
clothes. and saw by the delight in his
mothers eyes as soon as she saw them.
that they might at least be worn by
David.
''Pm mo- than thankful. .ma'am. /"
Her voice trembled, and Mrs. Wilmot
FASTENED to ask:
"Haven't you little girl, too ?'
"Thar's two gals-Lucy, she's goin' on
seven, and the baby; the folks calls her
spavid's Raby,' he's so good natured
with her. lever see boy 80 TUX up
with baby tefo' Sue amt mite of
trouble when he's 'round;' and her hard.
worked, thin, worn face looked quite
illumined By her smile Of pride and
delight.
Robin let his book fall care there
any bears on Priests Mountain ?" he
asked suddenly.
'Qh, ponsepseI' said his mother; but
Mrs. brown answered. seriously;
EFF it's mild winter, mebbe you
won't see one; but in long freeze, they'll
come right low down the mountain
They don't ginerally attack humans, the
damage they does mostly is to young
creatprs--pigs and seeh things. I seed
one myself; twas in the summer too,
three or fo' years sgo; and don't want
ter see another"
"Tell me about it, said R bin, com
ing over to the chair next hers.
swell, twas q long hot spell, aud I'd
gore out to git black berries. Mos of
'em was leetle and dry with the drouth;
but JEST above my head on long ledge
of rocks see big clump of briers, al
hanging with berries, big juicy berries
ez shiny ez silk. l kin see 'em now, ez
pretty ez any picter. put my hand out
to pull the nearest branch down, and
then ! heerd erowl--there amt much
more unpleasant noises than a growl or
hiss, in the woods, kin tell vel Thar
stood big bar just on 'tother side O.
the blackberries, showin' his teeth in an
ugly sort O. grin. didn't stop to have
no words bout the berries-in fac, there
was mighty few berries in my basket
when got home, came SO fast. Them
was the finest berries on the mountain"
she added regretfully; ''big and shiny and
sweet lookin'. and jest burstin' with
juice; and hadn't ia 'fiy teched 'em when
| heard that growL"
"Would he have showed fight if you
had stayed a. inquired Robin. eagerly.
Mrs Browns eyes twinkled.
II didn't keer to argy a pint with
him." she answered.
"Whst other wild beasts live near
you" pursued Robin, in a tone of posi-.
tive envy.
"Why, squirrels and 'possums and
foxes, and Wilde Ats--it do sound mighty
lonesome to- hear 'em cry! I reckon the
woods is right full O. prov lin varmints
after nightfan."
"But you have David to take care of
YOU" said Mrs. Wilmot.
"Yes'm; and he's tolerable strong fur
boy. He kin shoot. too, mos ez we'll
ez his uncle. He's been takin' David out
huntin' with him this spring and summer"
A. few weeks after this talk David
hustled into the mountain cabin at
shutdown" in great excitement.
"Hello. Sissyr'-to Lucy there,
honey r'-to the baby, who was laughing
and gurgling with delight to see him
Brother will take you in a minute-jest
ez soon ez be can wash his hands,"
David Brown was plain, freckle-
faced boy, SO tanned that his skin was
several shades darker than bis faxen
hair and pale eyes; but the sweetness and
good humor of his homely face made it a
pleasant sight to more than "David's
baby" Everybody on the mountain
liked David, from the grnff mountaineers
themselves down to their ours that
snapped and snarled at almost every one
else. As he whistled to the baby, who
was now changing her rapturous noises
to more Imperative demand, Spot, his
own "yalier dog" watched his every
movement with bis keen, blinking eyes,
and the black kitten, recent stray,
rubbed itself between his legs with a
satisfied purr. and gazsd into his face
with its yellowish green opals.
"You've got some news, David" said
his mother, bridging out the meal and
sitter.
"You are the beatin'est one to guess,
MotherP' exclaimed David. admiringly.
'Pve got job. Mr.. Jones wants me to
help him drive bis cattle down to the
station to morrow, and he'll give me a
mans pay if we have 'em there on time
and in good condition. Me and Spot'll
do the job fine, won't We, young 'nn ?"
and he held out his hands to- take the
baby.
"You set lot o. sto,, by that chile,
David" observed his mother, laughing
"Yes'm. set loto' sto' by the baby
and Lucy, too;" and be patted the older
child's head. as she flushed with delight.
1t was not David's way to forget any one.
Smother. 'spose you take the children
and on with mo ez fur ~ TTnola Martins !.