Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-03-22


father about him for all Nellie wrots
that he was just the image of Frank
| some people always see resemblance
where there isn't any at all OF course
| they ike to think that he looks like his
father. but land alive, he's an Adkins
all over. Bless his little heart, they can't
fool grandma. can they?" And she
pressed him close to her heart.
BY this time the strange faces and so
much unusual attention were beginning
to brighten the little fellow; his baby
lips took on a serious pucker, the little
chin quiyered piteously and the heart of
the old lady was full of compassion for
the baby left 50 long without his moth
err What do you suppose is keeping
Nellie so long? ! never went away and
left my children like this when they
we're little. See If you can amuse him,
father; | believe he is going to cry"
Come here, darling. and see what
grandpa has got for the little man, and
he held out his hands invitingly. and the
baby, ever ready for a change, chung TO
him and was soon listening delightedly
to the tick-tock of the old watch which
had done life service for children of a
former generation.
How bright he is for so young a
baby, and so big, too; just see, he can
nearly stand alone, exclaimed grand
ma. proudly. and he's only six months
old; but then Nellie walked at nine
months. And isn't his hair pretty and
curly; Il seems almost pity he's boy
so il will have to be cut OF, and she
sighed at the thought of the scissors
among the glossy ringlets.
oh I'm glad he's boy mother, but
il seems TO me there is considerable red
70 his hair Where do you suppose that
comes from; there are no red heads in
our family"
Red head indeed there isn't
tinge Of red In his hair; it's Just the
prettiest light brown; you must be get
ting color blind, and grandma laughed
softly at her little joke as she leaned
over and patted the little head tender
ly. "Grandma's baby shan't be abused. |
Just see. John, how he holds his head |
on one side and looks up at you so cum
ming and smiles That's the way little |
Dayie used to do. Oh, you darling baby, |
I'm so glad you are like our people, |
some way | couldn't bear to have him
all Bradley; it seems like he belongs to |
US more now
Presently silence falls on the little
group. The grandmother is thinking OF |
her own little ones, three of them now
in homes of their own with babies of
heir own TO care for and love, but for
Davie. the youngest of all, her heart
yearns; and yet the daisies of many
summers have blossomed over the
grassy mound where he lies, with little
hands folded and the blue eyes closed ia
lreamless sleep, but the touch of these
)aby fingers has brought him so near
o her to-day that the years slip away,
Ind while the grandfather is rocking
his dear little grandson the heart of
he mother is full of tender memories
# her own little one.
The old man rocks slowly backward
Ind forward the little yellow head sinks
over and lower on his broad breast, the
title fingers loose their clasp on the
reasured watch. and baby sleeps. How
beautiful he is. this beloved son of their
Nellie, and the grandmother sitting up
With a start awakens from her day
lreams and drawing her chair closer
o the side of her husband watches with
i'm the peaceful sleep of the child.
The cars come and go, passengers
light and pass the door, but the old
eople are absorbed in their watch OF
he little sleeping form and are only
reused by footsteps on the porch. The
Id lady rose from her seat and in a
more her daughter is clasped |
n her arms, while Frank was shaking
he hand of the old gentleman who was a..
nable to rise on account of the sleep
lg boy.
Well pa and ma of all people in the
'orld we least expected to see you here a
D-day. Why didn't you write us you !
'ere coming?' and Mrs Bradley gave \
er mother another loving hug and then =
ED her at arms length for better {
lew. 1T seems so good to have you 5
ere" e
We just couldn't wait to see the I
ably, so here we are, explained Mr.. Il
.dkins. Just see how soon he made
-iends with us, wasn't a bit afraid. {
uess he knew us, and the old man
luckled softly.
Knew you, made friends with you.
hat do you mean, and why are you TAX
lg care of Mildred, where is Gretchen"
cyan Mrs. Bradley, looking around the
'om for the nurse girl who had been
anding in the door.
Mildred, do you mean this baby?"
ut in the now bewildered Mrs. Adkins.
sn't this your baby?"
My baby? oh, mother, that's a good
ne This is Franks brothers little
ri, you see they live, upstairs. And Z
)u thought Mildred was our baby: why Q