The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-08-02
CHAPTER u-(CoNTINUED.l


the minister flushed slightly, while
Solomon's dry lips assumed the shape
generally taken when one is about to
give a prolonged whistle; but no sound
followed.
"Whaur did your reverence find the
BARN? On the doorstane, did you
say?"
The minister nodded. Thereupon
Solomon walked over to the chair, put
on a pair of brass-rimmed spectacles,
and inspected the child much as his
master had done, but with prolonged
and dubious shakes of the head.
Lord preserve us a'!' he muttered.
Solomon" cried Mr.. Lorraine i'm
patiently, whats to be done?"
Solomon scratched his head, then
lis face lightened with sudden inspira-
ton, as he answered:
''Put the thing whaur we found him,
cn the doorstane. Lea him there
he's name o. oors. Maybe the mither
will come back and take him AVA"
The minister's face flushed indig
nantly.
con such a night as this! Solomon
Mucklebackit, if you have no more
Christian advice than that to offer,
you can go back to bed
Solomon was astonished. Seldom
had he seen his master exhibit such
authority, tempered with indignation.
Not knowing how to reply, he effected
a diversion.
''See, sir he said, still inspecting the
child as if it were some curious species
of fish, "the cratur's wringin' wat!''
Such was the fact, though it had es-
capped the minister's agitated scrutiny.
The shawl and under-dress of the in
FAINT were soaked with rain or melted
snow
"Bless my soulp' cried Lorraine,
bending down by Solomon's side; land
it's little body is quite cold. Fetch
Mysie Simpson at once"
Solomon shook his head.
'Mysie's away the night WI her
kinsfolk at the Mearns."
"Then there's only one thing to be
dCne," cried Mr.. Lorraine, with sud-
den decision 1--WE must undress the
child at once and put him to bed, and
in the morning we can decide how to
act If we leave him like this he will
die of cold.''
''Put him to bedr' echoed Solomon.
"Whaur:''
''In my room, Solomon, unless you
would like to take him with YOU" I
''Wi' me! I'm no used wi BARNS.
/ couldna sleep a wink!'
''Then he shall stay with me. Look,
Solomon, how pretty he is, how bright
his eyes are! Fetch me a blanket at
once, and warm it by the fire."
Solomon left the room. The minis
ter lifted the burden in his arms, and
sat down by the hearth. Then,
nervously and awkwardly he undid
the shawl and put it aside; loosened
the baby's outer garments, which were
quite wet, and drew them gently off.
Thus engaged, the good man was in
deed a picture to see-his soft eyes
beaming with love and tenderness, his
face puzzled and troubled, his little
plump hands at work with clumsy
kindness.
Solomon entered with a blanket,
warmed it for minute at the fire, and
then placed it softly under the child,
which now lay mother-naked-a
sweet and bright d little cherub as
ever drew mothers milk.
Suddenly the sexton uttered an ex-
clamation.
Lord preserve us all. It's no man
child avail It's wee lassier'
Mr.. Lorraine started, trembled and
almost dropped his load; then, bash
fully, and tenderly, he wrapped the
warm blanket around the infant, leav
ing only it's face visible.
Lad or lassie," he said, "the Lord
has left it in our keepingi'
STOPPING to the hearth-rug, Solomon
lifted from it a tiny chemise which
had fallen there, and examined it with
ludicrous horror. Suddenly his eyes
perceived something which had es-
capped Mr.. Lorraine's nervous gaze.
Pinned to the chemise was piece of
paper with some writing upon it.
Look, meenister!" cried Solomon,
unpinning the paper and holding it up;
there's letter addressed to yourself
here. Will read it?''
Certainly"
Then Solomon read, in his own
broad accent, which we will not re-
produce, these words, which were writ
fen in A clear though tremulous fe-