The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-07
ole Story + el1er
HOW DOROTHY SAVED THE BABY.
A True Story of Early Days in Ohio.

N OROTHY stirred the big logs spitefuly with the
y long brass handled longs Accidentally she struck
the thn-legged pot that hung the crane and let
escape the unmistakable odor Of chicken
Land sakes alive! I almost upset that she
calculated suddenly Then she began to rake from out
the hot ashes dozen large with their coats
all crnkled and cracking. And such potatoes! The
chefs of to-day cook them with such
lection did grandmothers. Perhaps the result
due to their skill Perhaps it the old fireplace
and perhaps the elves and fairies danced in the roaring
flames hid in the ashes
Dorothy busted the wrnlkled potatoes and arranged
them in upon the clean brick hearth. Skillet
and large coffee pot also set there both of which
spoke in their way, of the monday meal.
Upon the mantel above TALL loud ticking
clock that told the phases of the and other
wonderous things The huge lead weights and silver
pendulem always attracted the visitor but not
effectively than the clock It decorated with
part. The artist had brought skill in
glarng creation white with plastered feathers
and staring seated somewhat unvomfortably
green pond, While the background concen-
trated reproduction of heavens blue Beside this clock
was a large conch shell that had from, the At
antic. The shell had been in the family years.
long the mighty had cast it the shores of
England no one knew, would It had been
found by Sir Albert Lord Edward upon of their
knighty plgrimages and they had brought it to old
Castle Darlington, where it had caused
ton for at midnight it would turn with loud hump
upon its side. They would have thrown it from the
castle had not Father told them that it
messenger of hope and providence and that it would
bring to brave daring knight that left
the portals of ancient Darlington. it rested upon
the rude mantel of home in the wilds of America and
Dorothy busted herself before the blazing fire she
looked up and smingly said:
Not hostile Indian has dared to enter cabin,
conch shell. for the spirit of long dwels in
and frightens them far away, Then tears came into
her memories of the old days to flood the
present. Beside the conch she'll in brightly colored,
glazed large punches of everlasting flowers
and dried grasses. Under glass globe was speci-
Of old shell work This completed the
the mantel with the exception of the polished brass
white washed and wide border of gaudy red peoples
around the upper parts. That border of red pop
pies the pride of the settlement. Every
and pioneer stood in mute admiration when he behed
it. It had come all the way from the coast when
old
No wonder it admired! The floor covered with
carpet of marvellous and workmanship. In
the spinning wheels-the bigger wheeled for wool
the little for flax They Also had come
the mountains. Above the dark mahogany dresser
of shining tins and quaint old blue plates
with pictures of knights warriors castles
of white Wedgewood: but the browning glory of
the cabin the mirror which extended halfway to
ceiling and framed in ponderous molding
of old gold. Not settler Indian gazed into that
without being filed with and wonder.
be extraordinary persons, they could not have
extraordinary possessions Thus reasoned the
Delaware eheftan after having gazed at it for hours
Heap good! Heap good' he had said
How foosh have said that mirror the
interesting thing in that frontier cabin 1t was
with the exception of the-baby The baby fat
and chubby and pleased every from Rev. Walton,
hardy follower of Calvin to Wampa the roaming
chief cradle beside the fireplace, and there
the baby would and clap its dainty hands and per-
teries-the big toethe livelong day. What did it know
the dangers that were always 50 near?
nothing has happened to him. But, of course,
all right. He went only to Delaware and no harm
befall him between here and there. Sometimes
I we'd to this wild land. How foolish
worry
Dorothy went the window and anxiously gazed
down the dusty path. No one was IN sight but the
squirrels and red bird perched upon the topmost
bough walnut tree nearby How beautifully he
his love song! Nature was glad. It was joyous to
go with the wild things She turned from
the window seated herself by the cradle and began
softly to sing lullaby that she herself had com
posed The rhyme was imperfect but the tune and
manner which it sung indeed beautiful and
She rocked back and forward, again and AGAR
and last the baby fell asleep. fly buzzed in its
drowsy manner All quiet and forgetting hersel
Dorothy in the land of nod with her child.
We have been busily engaged in describing the
interior home that have not taken a look a.
the young mother. s. Dorothy Darlington might have
been described in word-beautifu She seemed tot
frail for rough life in this world. Her face
too fair and smile bewitchins. Suddenly Thu
quiet broken by loud masculine voice; thel
followed of loud thumps the oaken door
The young mother, startled and frightened, awoke
opened it.
why, Mr. Henderson, she gasped. Mr. Hender