Middletown transcript., 1904-12-17
"A BOUGHTEN BABY
BIZ ELIZA EVANS CARTWRIGHT

ltalics falntiy convey tile mingled scorr
and incredulity wrapped in that one
word. Cynthia flinched as it struck her,
and even Nthe- uproarious Abner grew
suddenly quiet.
| A long silence, while the first peal Of
thunder rolled down the steep cliffs Of
Shagwam Hill, and few big drops oi
rain fell like bullets upon the sun-baked
ground.
| Now, Cynthy," said Susan, delber-
ately, Il want You to try and talk less
like crazy loon and tell me where you
got that child, and where you was when
I was a'callin' you?''
Il bought the baby cried Cynthia,
desperately. 'T bought it-paid my own
gold brooch for it. I've been out into
the barn, up in the NOW tryin' to git
it asleep. was afraid 'twould be struck
by lightnin' if left it out there"
"You bought that baby-you give
yonr good gold brooch, with pas hair
into it, for that tramp young 'un ?" said
Miss Susan with growing warth. "Of
all fools Why, you must be out OF your
mind, Cynthia Mary"
"It's mine anyhow" sobbed Cynthia,
dandling the blue bundle awkwardly.
"There-there. darling baby. I'll take
care Of YOU"
"Git up out O. that grass GRIMM
there like Chessy- cat" cried Miss Susan
turning upon Abner with sudden vicious
sweep. "PN give you something to grin
at if you don't git them COWS out OF
my Hower-beds, and see to the chickens.
TTey sha'n't be drowned in their coops
talong of this piece Of work. Cynthy,
you march yourself straight into the
house with that young 'un, while ! gether
up the bleach afore the squall strikes.
I'll be in quick as kin, and git to the
bottom Of this if the lightnin' spares
you" N
| Cynthia was only too glad to obey this
command. She hastened meekly away
into the far kitchen, followed little
later by Susan, staggering under the
weight Of big basket crowded full OF
snowy garments. sweet and fresh and
smelling Of daisies and clover blooms.
Cynthia had fed for refuge into the big
rockingham, where she sat swaying
to and fro, trying in vain to soothe the
protesting baby, whose walls filled the
dim wide. low-ceiled room.
Now" painted Miss Susan, dropping
the basket with loud thump and facing
her victim, "you tell me the truth, the
hull truth and nothin' but the truth,
Cynthy. Whered you git that baby ?"
| Cynthia began talking very fast, a
red spot in each thin cheek, her thin
fingers twitching nervously. II was
goin' berryin'-I was t'other side of the
brook most over to Elderkin's mill.
A woman come down the hill she had
hurt her foot and limped. | never saw
her before. When she seen me she
scowed first, and then she begun to
laugh and talk some lingo couldn't
make out. 1t wasn't Kanuck, though
she was complicated like 'em, and her
eyes was black and SO funny you had
to keep tryin' to see to the bottom Of
'em. She come up to me and put her
hand onto my shoulder. / was scared,
but couldn't move to save my life
"Just what Abner said," thought
Susan, uneasily. swell, what next,
Cynthy?"
"She was carryin' the baby as if it
was a stick Of wood, and when it cried
she shook it and scowled at it. I told
her she was cruel, and if she did SO
she would be took up. but she only
KEEP lookin' at me-"
! Come, 60 on. | want the hull Of
. this"
Then she see my brooch and begun
, maxim signs to me to take it off, had
4 to do it. I could't help it. | gave it
9 to her and she handed ne the baby
and ran off down the road. I was glad
; to see her 60, but l was afraid you'd
! be mad about the baby, 50 | went and
. hid in the barn."
"She warn't no fool, anyway" eiacu-
| lated Miss Susan. That brooch was
real Guinea gold-solid. Ii it wasn't
laundering and raining 50 I'd have Abner
harness up and put chase to her. Let's
see the child. | guess it's well, for it
, makes racket enough for three"
Cynthia unrolled the blue bundle With
nervous fingers, and released as fine
a little brown baby as one might wish
! to see.
a Hes 20 pretty she said appeaIngly
to her older sister. ''See how wayy his
) hair is, and his eyes are black as sloes
and-we've got lots Of milk, Susan. and
money In the bank. think YOU might
! let-me keep him. Ill take all the care
: of him."
+ ''The young 'un is goin' to tile poor
J house tomorrow, said Miss Susan. an.
I grily. '.As for you, think that Won
:? ought to be sent to an asylum. Traffic
: kin in flesh and blood, and Won an
a Abolitionist's granddaughter Enough
to make your ancestors turn over in their
r graves, not to say word about barterin'
off that brooch that your ma wore the
i day she was married r.
9 Cynthia and the unlucky infant went
on after this speech, while Miss Susan
q folded the clean clothes, and the rain
: fell in torrents uptn the roof. Presently
J Abner came dripping in, bringing the
brimming milk pail, and suggesting
thereby new idea to Miss Susan.
. you'll have to 90 straight to the
] village and buy feeding for that
g child" she remarked to the hapless
Abner "We'll be havin' it die on our
e hands and be tried for murder, as we'll
r as breakin the laws Of our country a'buy-
in Evetalian infants"
d "Tt's rainin' and pourin'," complained
: Abner, dnlefully. Cant ye make ont
Q till n.ornin' come way? I'm afraid I'll