Middletown transcript., 1904-12-17
baby brother had worn forty years ago.
She could never send it to the poorliouse

baby brother had worn forty years ago.
She could never send it to the poorhouse
with those clothes upon it.
After while there come great thnmp-
ing and humping down the back stairs,
and Miss Susan appeared bearing the
old red cradle, which was heaped with
pillows, quilts and the Whole wardrobe
OF the defunct Nathaniel.
81 calc'late it'll be made comfortable.
while it's here" she said, in answer to
the question in Cynthia's eye. "The
things is some yallow with lasit', but
there amt no way to help that. Mis-
Allen kin bleach 'em il she feels anibi-
tiun."
Cynthia's face fell. Mis-. Allen was
tile wife Of the poorlIouse keeper In
desponding silence she dressed the baby
while her sister prepared the cradle for
its reception. After a long time-or
it seemed long to the waiting nurses
Abner appeared, painting and muddy.
''IIere's the BOTTLE" he announced,
''and they're bu'stin' themselves a'latfin'
to the store. Squire Petty lows he
ne, er heern the beat Of two old maids
buyin' baby. They wouldn't take no
money fer the bottle-said twas worth
quarter just to hear tell ont
Squire Petty's meddlin old fool, :"
said Miss Susan, turning crimson. THO
old maids | guess my haEds is clean
Of this biz ness"
"Tod 'em as haow you was goin' to
tearn it over to the poorhonse, and they
said t'warn't no taown poor and you
couldn't 60 .eavin' it onto the tax
paying" continued Abner. 7 left 'em
arguin' it, and come hum
''I'lI see about it, said Miss Susan,
resolutely. II guess them lazy loafers
amt going to lay the law down to me.
That bahy's goin' to be put on the town
as soon as il clears off"
Winds hauled," said Ahner, cheer
fully. ''lt's settin' in for storm. You
won't git red on it to-morrer, kin tell
ye."
II guess kin board it without impov-
erislIin' me-" replied Miss Susan, un-
reasonably. "Here. Cynthy, you Jest let
me take it. You'll choke it fust thing.
You couldn't rightly bs expected to
understand feedin' bottles"
"4tn'tit cnnning?" whispered Cynthia,
wistfully bending over the Walf, which
now lay blissfuly pulling at the rubber
cap of the new feeding bottle. "Oh,
| do wish you woutd feel to keep il.
Susan"
''It's well-fayored enough, except i,s
tawny skin, but it's a child of wrath,
fitted fur destruction, like all them
furrin' Papists," answered Susan, with
the uncompron,ising orthodoxy Of her
Puritan ancestors.
"Some infants elected persisted Gym
thia, who was as well versed in the
shorter catechism as her sister.
"Not Papishers," said Miss suran, de-
cidedly. ''Do you mean to put that
tramp's baby on level with little Ma
than'l, for instance p
"You fetched the cradle down and got
Nathan'l's clothes out 10 put on it,
retaiated Cynthia, With dim feeling
that somehow these sacred garments
might be spiritually efficacious to her
hapless charge.
Il amt the Almighty, be ~ asked
Susan, with the air Of one who closes
the subject. 'Cynthy Mary, you may
as well quit hectorin' me. I'm endeav-
orin' to git grace to overlook your con
duct, but can't stand no more fool talk.
Mis- Allen will git that child, sure az
the sun rises to-lnorrer, and no use to
waste your breath arguing"
Cynthia gave up her last faint hope.
She knew her sister too well to doubt
that she would keep ner word. Baby
was temporarily, il not finally, repro
bated.
CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK