Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-01-29
DAVID'S BABY.
HY ELLA F. MosBY.

"He's Jest common Sad boy,
ma'am.
This was the baifi ng reply TO Mrs.
Wilmo;'s question about the szo Of
Mrs. Browns boy. Ms. Wilmot was
the minister's wife, anil Mrs. Brown
one Of his ontlying parishioners, u
mountainocr from one of the steepest
and widest peaks of the Ridge. Her
husband had died in the great snow
storm of the past winter, aud David,
her only boy, was her sole prop and
stay. Mrs. Wilmot thought suit of
clothes would not come amiss, even if
secondhand.
But what was ga common size" for
boys In Mrs Wilmots experience
they were of all sorts AMI zes. Her
mind reverted to Richard, her long
boy, and his Aunt Ellen's frequent en-
treaty: Orchard, my dear, uncross a
few OF your legs!" to Robin, head
shorter, who was now crumpIed up in
n heap over 'Stories of Lion Hunting
iu South Africa" aud John, round,
roIy poly of boy-aud she looked
slightly perple;;ed.
Nom, he mint to say big, nor yit
small he's jest common-sl2ed boy,
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.
'Rm mo- than thankful, ma'nm. -
Her voice trembled, and Mrs. Wilmot
hastened to ash:
Haven't you little girl, too?"
"Thar's two gals-Ilucy, she's goin'
on seven, and the baby; the folks calls
her 'David's Baby he's SO good-na-
tured with her. never sec boy so
tux up with baby befo'. She amt
a mite of troablc when he's round =
and her hard. worked thin. worn face
looked quite illumincl by her smile OF
pride and delight.
Robin lot his book GAll. care thero
any bears oa Priests Mountain?" he
asked, Suddenly.
''Oh, nonscnse!" said his mother
| bat Mrs. Brown answered seriously
"Ed it's mild winter, mebbe you
won't see one but in n long freeze
they'll come right low down the moun.
tain. They don't ginerally attuc,
humans, the damage they does mostly
is to young ereeturs--pigs and sech
things. l seed Que myself; twas il
the Summer too. three or fu' years
ago and l don't want ter see an'
other"
Tell nae about it, said Robin. com.
ing over to the chair next hers.
wei, twas a long hot spell, aud
I'd gone out to git black berries. Mos
OF 'em was leotle aai dry with the
lfouth; but just above nay head oa q
long ledge OF rocks | see big clumr
of briers, all hanging with berries,
big juicy berries. ez shiny cz silk.
kin see 'en now, ez pretty ez any PIE
ter. put my hand out to pull tht
nearest branch down, and then / hecrJ
a growl-there amt much more on
pleasant noises than groWl OF his;
in the woods, l kin tell ye THAI
stood big bar just on 'tother side 0
the black berries, showin' his teeth ii
an ugly sort o grin. [ didn't stop tc
have no words 'bou5 tho borries--il
fac. there was mighty few berries il
my basket when | got home, cam(
SO fast. Them was the finest berries
on the mountain, she added, regret
fully; ''big anl shiny and sweet-look
in. and Jest burstin' with juice; aud
hadn't fairly teched 'em when heard
that growl."
"Would he havo showed fight i
you had stayed?" inquired Robin, eag-
erly.
Mrs. Browns eyes twinkled
81 don't keer to argy pint with
him, she answered.
"What other wild beasts live neal
you?" pursued Robin, in tone of pos
itive envy.
"Why, squirrels and 'poasums and
foxes and wildcats--it do soun(
mighty lonesome to hear EN- cry.
reckon the woods is right fun o
prnwlin' yarmints arter nightiall.
But you have David TO take ear,
Of you, said Mrs. Wilmot.
'Yes'm; anil he's tolerahle strong
far boy. He kin shoot. too, mos e.
we'll ez his uncle. He's been takin
David cut huntin' With him this sprin:
aud summer.
A few weeks after this talk DaviC
hustled into the mountain cabin a
"sundown" in great excitement.
Hello, Sissy f'-to Laey-- "fhere
honey ITO the baby. who was laugh
: inr ma nurglinr with falirnt 10 sal