Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1907-04-04

| My host suggested that | accompany
him on visit to the injured man, and
as | was curious TO note If anything
agreeable had occurred to mar Obed's
pleasure in possessing fractured
limb | accepted the invitation.
We found him dropped up in most
uncomfortable chair trying to read
without his spectacles. 1--WE snapped
a leg four times" he sauted, but tn
doctor thinks this is tn worst yet
! An, dye know. kind of feel as though
| he'd made a botch of settin' tn bones.
| jest tapped my foot on tn floor be-
fore ye come in an it hurt like SIN
Guess I'm in fer a siege of it,"
Amt heard 'em tallsin on tn poor
farm yet have ye Obed?" joked Mr.
Currier.
Almost" the other grinned "S'pose
ven 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
pirited query.
wal. not fer another week" modl.
fed my host. II should have said he
was only temporary adopted. Coin
q week from next Monday
Mr.. Splodgett frightened perceptibly
on being assured the babys lease on
responsibility was not permanent, and
he chuciled at my hosts short lived
triumph and said-- "Ye told me that
before That's nothin TIL fact re-
mains, he's got ter go. Wal, it'll be
good trainin' an a lesson ter him"
1t 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
r TO Sis Amusement, and was leaving
, the table, a wagon drove into the yard
and Mrs. Currier announced: Here
Meth with TIL baby"
But it was not her husband it was
the optimistic Mr.. Splodgett, half re-
Ginning on an improvsed couch, while
his sister, u grim, wooden faced WON
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. If tn fish peddler
hadn't come along an gimme a boost
I'd still be ter home, l guess. Most
tipped over twice. Gee, but thai
leg frets me"
Mrs. Currier 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. l had
hoped the baby had found a 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
house, l don't mind a growed-ur
pauper cause they are usually shift
less an jest as lief be there as any
where. But this little cuss amt done
nothin' ter desarve it. Anyway, wei
n give him one more Independent din
t? ner before he comes ter takin' towr
t charity. Hello, Obed No use tel
speak ter yer sister. Hitch, an
y, come in"
y "Iem'me see him, Meth. l can't 81
down, we know" said Mr. Splodgett
)" his face now rejecting only pleasure.
"Ye might wait till ye git we'll an
ID call on him at tn poor farm" repliet
e. my host, grimly, yet resting one foo
Or on the hub of the wheel and holdin!
ly up the growing infant in his arms
te The wind blew back corner of tn
III blanket so that the little face peepe,
lie out and Mr. Splodgetts countenanc
er grew solemn.
He gingerly picked up one kicking
If. worsted covered foot between hi
e. rough thumb and finger and eyed 1t l
It, deep surprise. "Lem'me heft him. n
of asked.
be The baby did not mind the transfe
and lost no time in clutching one ia
n. dimpled hand in the grisly whisker
lie. that tickled his chin.
be Smells like new milk" remarke
Ye Mr.. Splodgett alphabetically with
RS red face as he raised his head. BIZ
as | could swear he kissed the lit
ks cheek.
i'm His sisters inexpensive face sto
vn bit of animation as she snatche
he the tiny form from his awkward Ia
Elf and gently patted the brown hair al
rearranged the blanket with deft fl
,el- gers. Then she asked in her usu
Ily. monotonous voice, Shall we go bat
to now, Obed?"
me Hold on" cried Mr.. Currier.
he Obed nodded and the wagon began
er- turn. we've forgot tn baby!"
his mo, we amt" grinned Obed shee
ars ishly. We've got him. We're goi
ev- ter take him home, I'd planned on
he right along. Only l didn't want
10Y come between him an this experent
NV Whom he's older he'll enjoy think