The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1905-02-04

Rachel ONnh, ut the other end could not
Sc his litti,a bnre feet playing tag ne
meath the table.
Aunt Rachel looks just like my chick
en- hawk-anyways she would if he wore
spit curls,' he said to himself with lit
tie chuckle. 81 bet'--but John Philips
bet wHH never recorded, for Susan APP
peatei Just then. red and giggling.
Miss. NoaI stared at her reprovngly.
81 did not ring" she said >ternv.
"No'm, l know you didn't, but she
she here. an -"
" 'Shc| Tae kyOur apron down from
your mouth and talk connectpdly. Who
is here?'
ColumbIa-Columba Farley. She
snys that's her name, ma'am. AN she's
from the Orphans homc-a little mite
of Il thing an that funny" Here Susan
retired again behind her apron.
'Whnt does she want z" Mrs. Noah
asked grmly.
well, ma'am." Susan exploded. "she
wants to stay!'
'StAy!' her mistress repeated blankly,
while John Philip. unrcprovcd. Suuirmcd
with delight. Here was something doing
at last.
"Yes'm," Susan went on, "Shes had
her eye on this house, she says, for II
long time, but it want till this morning
that she decided she'd live with YOU
She's a-Settin' on her Satchel ont in the
Kitchen"
Mrs. Noah fairly Sn0rted with aston
iShment aud Indignation. "NIuch oblig-
ed to her I'm sure" she said sarcastic
cally, land may Task what decided her
In our favor?"
vt was John Philip. ma'am," Susan
said. choking with laughter. "Shc-she
says she wants to be "a mother to him."
John Philips, face matched his hair
in color now; even the freckleS took on
a livelier red. "Consarn herr he said
under his breath.
"\ny more?' his aunt asked. with the
air "f one prepared for the worst.
"1eS'm; she asked what your name
was an when | said Mrs. Noah' she was
that urprised She said she'd heard
about you an Mr. Noah ut Sunday
Sch"o. but she had no idee you was
livin' yet"
Anything MORE? My oatmeal is get
ting cold Don't stand there giggling
liho ~ hot
''She wondered how old you was. ma
am. IN when | said didn't know She
thought she could tell by locking ut Your
teeth. like the hired m"n nt the home
dore when he bought Il horse"
y great wave of colGr rolled over Mrs
Noah's face and broke on the beach of
spit cnr'N" outlining her high forehead.
Bring her ill.," she said. closing her thin
lips tightly over her "store" teeth
Su.'n @i,aplrared md moment later
ushorcd "Coumhn Farley into the ar-
gust presence of her mistress. She was
truly ~ mite of thing with great
der eyes and II most engaging smile.
"IIow do you DO Mrs. Noah?" she
said. holding out her head in quaint.
old fashioned way To John Philips
surprise, his aunt took the little hand in
hers.
so you'd like to live herc?" she said.
rot unkindly.
"Yes. awful well. Don't you need
me-" she asked maivcly.
II think not" Mrs Noah said. very
gently for her. land. besides. ! couldn't
take You without the consent of the mat
ron 1T the home"
"Oh, she won't cHre." the little girl
exclaimed eagerly. "Thrrc's too many
of MS now and
"Wcll." Mrs. Noah interrupted. ''you
with you to the home" The child had
crept thus quickly into Il warm corner
of the grim lady'S heart.
She w"sr eating her nrtmcal when
John Philips father came Gown to break
fast md asked 80 kindly. Whose little
girl is this = that Columbia'S heart went
out to him then and there.
81 don't know. she SHid Simply in
reply to his question. "rhey amt found
ont yet at the home. hut | know how
old | nm. I'm going on seven I'm lit
tie, but maybe I'd do for him''-Shc nod
dcd checri'y ut John Philip--"tll he got
really truly one"
"A really truly what!' Mr.. Brown
asked Smilingly.
''Wh" Il mother, of course. | learned
how TO he one from Mis- Jones. She has
eight children. She lives near the ONE.
You just help 'em be good, md they will,
cause You love 'em 50. It's awful nice
10 hive n mother" she sud wirtfully.
Il asked Tommy Jones if he didn't think
so. and he Srid "Surr thing
John Philip tried to scowl, but his
forehead refused to quicker. and when
his father said. "Shail we let her adopt
You. son?" he laughed outright Eve
wc-might give her try" he Stammer-
r,!
And 50 it happened that Columbia
Farley entered The Brown family "On
Trob"t!on aud later was taken into "full
membership
1t WIS on II Saturday morning, a month
o" NOR rftcl Columbia had been rcceiv
ci into full mcmb"rship. tnIt the chill /
rem were playing together in the garden.
Il guess III 20 wad:n' this afternoon"
john Philip announced. "Aunt Rachel
would inst IVORY if t''ld .'I. :rI uaI
DIV went be, home for lunch, -" can't
AZ ! a..
"l'm fraid you'll he drown-dch.
drar." the little mother aid auXiouSly
t.Iohn Philip did not office: - 'd"Hring"
in priv'trl. AN | don't believe you'd
hctri 90.
"f'oph." John rhiiip rei"incd. "You
amt my mn;hr. amt h! Il m.o.h"r
SlrCc | wHs t,r!.
NO" she >ighel. ~ on hl' Il really
truly ore | @lIa.a ynu have to >. 4.
Your fnthrr might |rt y,h ru'.
John Philip grinned. Hes too busy
he said. but know one I'd like to get.