The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-03-05
CHAPTER vi.


persistently at his bedroom door, Reuben
did not answer, although he smiled in his
half-sleep, and knew that Tots was astir
anxious to see him, to hear his voice, tc
know all about the big doll that he had
told her last night was coming home with
his luggage. At the fifth or sixth sum.
mons Reuben Culwick condescended 10
Inform the young lady ON the other side
or the door that he should be in his room
70 ten minutes, and that he requested the
xavor or Tots company to breakfast.
~ Tots, ragged, unkempt, fair-haired,
blue-eyed child, had been found on the
steps of the Prince Regent public house
after twelve o'clock had struck, and the
drinkers had been turned into the road
way. No one knew anything about her,
and she knew very little concerning her
sen. She said something about mother
and father In an inarticulate fashion
common to her eighteen months of exist
ence, and she cried for mother for five
minutes after the policeman had shaken
her from sleep. 1t was commonplace
incident Of poor neighborhoods. The only
novelty about this affair was the interest
OF the man with the beard, who lodged
at the trework shop. He took her under
his protection and said that she should
stay at the house In Hope street and be
cared for till the morning.
No inquiries were ever made concern
Ing Tots, though Reuben advertised and
the police stations put up bill on their
blackboard along with their Found
Deads," "Burglarics' and Murders"
Tots was never passed over to the parish.
When Tots was scrubbed and Combed by
Lucy Jennings she was a bright-enough
specimen of babyhood, and in twenty-four
hours she had forgotten father and moth
er and taken so desperately to Reuben
Culwick that the strong man never found
It in his heart to set her from his charity
again. 1t was wild idea, the Jenningses
thought, but they came to terms with
the ledger for the extra trouble involved
BY the care of the child while he thought
Ir was best to he done, until thinking over
1t became less of q habit and love be-
came a stronger element in Tots favor
and pleaded for her until the day of
which we speak.
For eighteen months had Reuben Gull
wick been the protector Of Tots, and Tots
had lived in a world of imaginary uncles
and aunts, and there was never now q
talk of her going away. Reuben had ac-
"
weight of it had not oppressed him much.
He had been a harder and sterner man
before the child's affection for him had
changed his character n little.
Sitting at the table watching her that
day, with his life far clearer before him
than 1t had been, he thought Tots would
be like a daughter to him if he lived
and II she lived. He should never marry, !
would ho a To fob ~
until some respectable young fellow gave
her a home and name, and he was left
alone to fight out the rest of his battle. |
What that battle was to he like. Reu-
ben Culwick was hardly certain. Once
no had thought that he, was cut out for
an author, that publishers would he run
Ming after him, and the critical press
singing his praise and glory; but he was
almost certain-not quite-.that he had
found his level on the Penny Trumpet,
and that few pounds week would be
the maximum sum which his abilities.
SWch as they were, might be able to pro-
cure him.
Tots and he were having breakfast to-
gSther, and Tots was asking a hundred
questions, when the first post brought
him bulky packet and two letters. Lucy
made some little show of busting the fur
nIture with the corners Of her apron, und
then went reluctantly toward the door.
Reuben had not made dash at his let
tiers, after his usual fashion, and i'm
parted the general nature of the con-
tents, and she said at last:
You are not curious about your cor
respondents to-day"
Il can guess all about them"
Il dare say you can," said Lucy, half
disdaintully; "one's from woman.
What change to your life after this
oreary street, and us dreary people,
Reuben looked at her intently as lie
broke the envelope Of his letter. She was
out OF sorts still; he had not remarked
II so much before, but she was certainly
a disagreeable kind of old-young woman,
and particularly plain and thin. Hers
was hard life, keeping house and n
Slmple-minded brother in order, looking
AFTER LOGGER and Tots, aud not saving
money. Poor old girl! what had she to
make life bearable even? and why should
ne cross her temper, and put her out for
tho day?
"She writes a good hand" said Reu-
ben.
"Whow
Inc grl in gray silk" ,
II don't know who the girl in gray silk
ls; have never heard you speak Of her
before"
"No." said Reuben, II suppose not
She was at my fathers house yesterday :
and wondered who she was
and where she had dropped from. A
pretty girl, too. Hallow
"You are asked to return" exclaimed
Lucy; your fathers heart has softened I
toward you, and heaven wills a happier
time for you, as I said that it would"
You are very kind but this is from |
my second-cousin Sarah" !
"she is pretty, too, supposeT" said
Lucy, with twanging voice. s
"Ahem!-I don't know dare saw she
might be, If highly got up for the occa-
sion. By the way, you might, with. your c
extensive chapel connection, hear of ,
for Sarah. That poor old $
woman, Sarah the First" added Reubyn,
may pass away at any
moment, and should like to be ready {
with home for her "
Reuben Culwick settled down In his old
groove the following day; life went on