The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-06-30

was too cold to take him anywhere
else. We hope you will excuse us, Mr..
Grimmersby."
Excuse them? Yes, he would; the
child looked like the little Richard Of
his dream.
Had they sent for the doctor, the old
gentleman inquired.
Yes, the man in the sleigh had gone
for him, and would bring him back. It
was no ones fault; the little one had
slipped Just as the sleigh was passing,
and fallen almost under the horses
feet.
They carried him, at Jacob Grim
mersby's desire, to his own bed-cham-
Der. 1t was the only warmed one in
the house, except the servants apart
ments, and there they did all that was
possible until the doctor came. 1t was
not long before he arrived, and he
knew the boy. HE and his mother live
in the little brown cottage at the turn
OF the Hill road; it is good mile from
here; the child must be nearly frozen
going so far, and so scantily Clad" the
doctor exclaimed.
They found his injuries much as they
supposed; presently he was restored
to consciousness, the wound on his
head dressed, and the broken arm set.
Then, for the first time, the boy spoke
DO you know where mamma is? She
went out; she said she would be back
soon, but she stayed so long | got
frightened, so went to find her. Then
fell down, and when l woke up
was here"
I'VE are going to send for your moth
er, my brave little man." the kindly
doctor said, with your permission, Mr..
Grimmersby. The child ought not to
be moved for a few days. If you would
be willing to have room prepared and
let his mother stay with him for a
little time, you would be doing a very
kind thing"
Yes, it would be all right, they
might stay and be welcome. To him
self Jacob Grimmersby said it would
be a sort of comfort to have this little
boy, that looked like Richard. in his
house for a while.
Pale with fear and apprehension the
mother arrived, to find her son resting
quietly.
1T is so nice and warm here, dear
mother, and it was so cold while
waited for you" he whispered: land
they are all kind to me; | like them.
Weren't they good to let me stay?"
Yes, my darling, very good. l am
very grateful.
1t was over a week from that event
full evening that Mr. Grimmersby, 60
ing upstairs to see the child, as he had
formed the habit of doing some time
each day, heard the sound of a name
that startled him. The mother had
called the little one Richard. The old
man had never heard him called by
any name before. Involuntarily, he
stopped outside the door, The boy was
lying dressed upon lounge; his moth
er sat beside him, holding his hand.
They were talking softly together in
the twilight.
will you be sorry when we go home
again, mamma?" the sweet voice ask
ed.
For some reasons, yes, dear, and for
others, no. 1t is very pleasant to be
surrounded by such comfortable and
beautiful things: but it is nice to be
at home, isn't it, Richard?"
Yes, mother"
Mr.. Grimmersby did not intend to
listen. He hardly knew he was doing
so, yet he waited to hear more. The
child spoke again.
Il will be sorry to go away from Mr..
Grimmersby, mamma. l think he is
good"
"He has been very good to you, my
dear; you have just reason for think
ing So"
Il never saw this house before. did
your"
eyes, Richard"
did papa ever see it?" asked the
boy.
Yes, DEAR papa saw it many times"
"Was the house my papa lived in
when he was little boy as pretty as
this one?" the childish voice inquired.
Quite as pretty" the mother replied.
What was grandpa like?' Was he
as nice as Mr.. Grimmsby?"
81 don't think he was as kind as this
Mr.. Grimmersby, Richie; but we won't
talk any more just now"
Old Mr. Grmmersby turned and
shown marked interest in his sons
went downstairs; a strange trembling
came over him. Slowly he retraced
his steps to the empty library. All,
the silence and gloom of that room
of the whole house, indeed! He sat
down once more before the fire and
bent his head upon his hands.
In that hour, between the dark and
the daylight hour when, in hap
pier homes than his, the laughter of
children drives the shadows from the
rooms, and softens the lines upon the
older faces-in this house there was
no sound of childish voices. save the
trembling tones of the little boy up
stairs. and he was a stranger.
Mr.. Grmmersby pushed his chair
back hastily. Once more he climbed
the stairs; again he stood without the
chamber door. There, at least, was
companionship-he would lake com
fort in that. The old gentleman lis
tened a moment. All wan still: he
went in. The child was alone. living
upon the couch where he had lain
before. The little face brightaned as