The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1907-04-11

fNuu lHdl may De jest euOuBn tef
spile tn lesson his home trainin' on
tn farm might learn him." declared
Mr.. Splodgett, almost sourly, rising
to depart.
When I returned from school at
noon the next day found Mr.. Currier
Harvesting his horse with every indi-
cation of being in a hurry. AS he
buckled the straps he told me Mr..
Splodgett had been thrown from his
wagon shortly after leaving us the
night before and had broken a leg.
My host suggested that | accompany
him on visit to the injured man, and
as | was curious to note II anything
agreeable had occurred to mar Obeds
pleasure in possessing a fractured
limb | accepted the invitation.
We found him propped up in most
uncomfortable chair, trying to read
without his spectacles. 1--WE snapped
a leg four times" he saluted, but tn
doctor thinks this is tn worst yet.
An, dye know, kind of feel as though
he'd made botch of settin' tn bones.
| Jest tapped my foot on tn floor be-
tore We come in an It hurt like sin.
| Guess I'm in fer a siege of It,"
Amt heard em talkin' on tn poor
farm vet, have ye, Obed?" joked Mr..
! Currier.
Almost" the other grinned. "S'pose
ye'll soon have an addition over there
in tn Binger baby. won't ye?"
enjoyed his frown as Mr.. Currier
replied "Babys been adopted
Then he won't go?" was the dis
| ririted query
Wal not fer another week" modi-
fled my host. Il should have said he
was o1ly temporary adopted Coin
week from next Monday"
Mr.. s lGdsett frightened perceptibly
on bc:lg assured the baby's lease on
responsibility was not permanent, and
he chuckled at my hosts short lived
triumph and said: "Ye told me that
before. That's nothin'. Tn fact re-
mains, he's got ter go. Wal, it'll be a
| good trainin' an a lesson ter him"
II was relief to be at school on
the Monday Mr. Currier went after the
child to take It TO the poor form.
| did not care to see him when he
passed through the district, and there
fore, when | came home to dinner and
learned he had not arrived, but was
expected every minute, tried to
hurry through the meal and evade
him. Just as had refused pie much
10 Sis amazement, and was leaving
the table, a wagon drove into the yard
and Mrs. Currier announced; Here's
Meth with tn baby"
But II was not her husband; II was
the optimistic Mr.. Splodgett, half re-
rlining on an improvised couch, while
his sister, grim, wooden faced wom-
an. very deaf and seldom known to
speak. held the reins.
Meth here?" he inquired. II can't
come in. Had all | could do ter git
inter tn wagon. II tn fish peddler
hadn't come along an gimme boost
I'd still be ter home, | guess. Most
tpr,d over twice. Gee! but that
leg frets me-"
Mrs. Currer had hardly explained
her husbands absence when another
wagon whirled into the yard and my
heart sank as / saw the small bundle
my host was so carefully holding In
the hollow Of his left arm. had
hoped the baby had found q perma.
nent home with his foster mother of
the week. Mr.. Curriers' face looked
very sour as he tossed the lines to
81 and said: Hang this bein' s'lect.
man an cartin' babies ter tn poor
houTe! / don't mind a growed-up
pauper, cause they are usually shift
less an jet as lief be there as any
where. But this little cuss amt done
nothin' ter desarve 1t. Anyway, we'll
give him one more independent din.
ner before he comes ter takin' town
charity. Hello, Obed. No use ter
speak ter yer sister. Hitch, an
come in"
"Lem'me see him, Meth. can't git
down, ye know" said Mr.. Splodgett |
his face now rejecting only pleasure.
"Ye might wait till ye git well an
call on him at tn poor farm" replied
my host, grimly, yet resting one foot
on the hub of the wheel and holding |
up the growing infant in his arms.
The wind blew back corner of the
blanket 30 that the little face peeped
out and Mr.. Splodgetts countenance
grew solemn.
He gingerly picked up one kicking
worsted covered foot between his
rough thumb and finger and eyed 1t in
deep surprise. ''Lem'me heft him." he
asked.
The baby did not mind the transfer
and lost no time in clutching one fat,
dimpled hand in the grisly whiskers
that tickled his chin.
Smells like new milk" remarked
Mr.. Splodgett apologetically with
red face as he raised his head. But
could swear he kissed the little
cheek.
His sisters inexpensive face stole