The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1898-11-11

on the arm. IL went to the heart OF
the Pratt baby's new carctalrers.
"It's a cold day, Jacob" said Mrs.
Crofts the next morning. i've got a
conscience, If | am set agen' bein' put
on, and don't like the idee of that lit
tie creatur' takin' long ride such a
day. To-morrow'll be milder, maybe"
Tomorrow was milder, but Mrs.
Crofts remarked:
"A day or two won't make no diff
ference, now he's here"
On the third day boy rushed into
the house with cry:
"oh, my baby! I've found you-ain't
I? How came l ever to let you git
away from me?"
And the Pratt baby pulled Billy's
hair and poked into his eyes and
rubbed his pink cheeks against the
sreckled ones with such little crows
and squeals Of delight as brought q
distinct pang Of jealousy to Mrs.
Crofts' heart.
as he your'n?" she asked Billy.
"Yes. Leastways-I mean-he's the
Pratt baby. He lives to my house. I've
come for him. The sled's right here.
I'll soon fix him up" Setting the baby
on the floor Billy made rush to the
shed aud soon brought in the soap
box.
'Stop!" cried Mrs. Crofts, as Billy
spied the small hood hanging on a nail,
IF that baby's got to ride into Bent
ley to-day he amt goin' in soap box.
Jacob" she called into the back yard,
Il want you to hitch up and drive into
Bentley. This boys come for tho
baby. Says it's his'n," with a slight
quiver in her voice, land if he's to 90
he's got to go comfortable"
Who'd "a thought anybody'd ever
be wantin' the poor little chapi" The
farmers surprise was complete when
his wife appeared wrapped for the ride
with the baby in her arms.
I'm goin' to see him safe with them
that has the right to him." she said,
firmly. Adding, with some severity:
"And that won't let him go cavortin'
over the country in soap box on a
winter day"
| Billy wilted at this, but was sus-
tanned by his joy in the recovery of the
baby, comforting himself by little
pokes at the soft bundle covered up
in Mrs. Crofts' arms, to make sure it
was safe there.
Its warmth reached the innermost
recesses of her heart-a pain with il at
thought of the lonely house to which
she would go without it. 1t had been
but a few hours in which the strange.
| unlookedfor unwelcomed visitant had
been under her roof, and yet day and
night the little presence had been
growing in sweetness. How it's baby
voice had filled the silent home to
which she shrank from returning!
The reaurn of the baby was heralded
by triumphant shouts from Billy:
"IIe's back! He's back! I've found
him! We've got him!"
Men came to the store doors to lis
| ten and women ran out of small houses
| with shawls over their heads. A small
crowd had gathered by the time Mrs.
Garyey's door was reached.
1t was Billy's intention to snatch tho
baby and rush in with wild whoop.
But Mrs. Crofts held on to it and
walked with dignity into the house.
/
wept over il torrent of Irish fondling,
while the other women waited their
turn for hug, as babel of tongues
arose.
I'm willin' to say I'm ready to take
that blessed baby"
I'D decided to do that myself"
I'm able to do we'll by him and"
II was with his mother to the last,
and I've the best right"
| Mrs. Crofts looksd about on the
clamoring women.
(Which of you is the the mother OF
this child?" she asked.
A blank silence for moment, brok-
en- by Mrs. Garvey:
Its myself would have been glad
enough 10 take the darlint when there
| was no one else to do it, but for"
I'm ready to do it now"
II can give him good home"
"Well," Mrs. Crofts arose and with
an authoritative air took the baby
| from the hands of the women who lust
then chanced to be caressing it, this
baby come to me, all unbeknown. rid
| in by itself in the winter night. Iflhe
Lord didn't send him I'd like to know
why. If anybody else wanted to care
for him it's pity they didn't find it
out before. I'm going to take him
home and keep him. and IL the town au-
thorities want to interfere they'll
know where to come for him."
She strode toward the door. but
stopped at sound of loud sobs from
Billy, her face softening into q beam
ing smile.
You come and see him whenever
you want. He's to be your'n yet. all
the same"
The town authorities never saw fit
to find fault with the home which Billy
had found for the Pratt baby.-N. Y.
Christian Advocate.
An Eye to business.