The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-06-16

and realized how his unexpected Wis
itor had come. What was he to do?
SWELL, SEEM you be here, I s'pose
you can't be left out in the cold"
Not knowing what else to do, he
picked up sled, soap box and baby and
carried them into the house.
"Here, Maria," he said, setting his
burden on the Kitchen floor, "look
what somebody's sent YOU"
Mrs. Crofts gazed in amazement,
then in displeasure.
Jacob, what do you mean? You
don't mean that you've let somebody
put something on you"
mo, indeed, I don't. You may get
as mad as you like with somebody; but
not with me. That sled was hitched
on to the back of the sleigh, and came
all the way fom Bentley"
"Wen, Ldeclare! A little mite like
that out in the cold! But you sec how
'tis-a game of somebody's to put that
child on us. They'll be fooled, though"
Eyes. I'll take it over to the poor
house tomorrow. They can look for
it there if they want it,"
The baby had by this time, after
much winking and blinking, accus-
toned his eyes to the lighted room,
and was now giving signs of being rest
less. AS Mrs. Crofts approached him
with much the look with which she
would have regarded a stray kitten
(she not liking cats) he, being accus-
toned to 60 to everybody, held out
his hands with a look of gracious readi-
ness to be pleased if we'll treated.
well, it's kind O. bright"
cts a cold day, Jacob" said Mrs.
Crofts the next morning. give got a
conscience, if 1 am set agen' bein' put
on, and I don't like the idee of that lit
tie creatur' takiD' long ride such
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:
ooh, my baby! I've found you-ain't
I? How came I 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
freckled ones wkh such little crows
and squeals of delight as brought
distinct pang of jealousy to Mrs.
Crofts' heart.
as he your'n?" she asked Billy.
eyes. 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 and 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,
II want you to hitch up and drive into
Bentley. This boys come for the
baby. Says it's his'n," with a slight
culver in her voice, land if he's to go
he's got to go comfortable"
who'd "a thought anybody'd ever
be wantin' the poor little chap!" The
farmers surprise was complete when
his wife appeared wrapped for the ride
with the baby in her arms.
I'm goin' to sec 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
winter Gay"
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.
The return of the baby was heralded
by triumphant shouts from Billy:
"He'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.
Mrs. Garvey seized the baby and
wept over it 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 well by him and"
II was with his mother to the last.
and I've the best right"
Mrs. Crofts looked 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 to take the darlint when there
was no one else to do it, but for"
I'm ready to do it now"
Il 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 Glanced to be caressing it, "this
BABY come to me, all unbeknown, rid
IN by itself in the winter night. If the
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 if the town au-
thorities want to interfere they'll
know where to come for him."
She strobe toward the door. but
stopped at sound of loud sobs from
Billy, her face softening into BEAM
ing smile.