Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1907-03-29

him on a 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 propped up in most
uncomfortable chair, trying to read
without his spectacles. I've snapped
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-
fore ye come in an 1t hurt like Sin.
Guess I'm in fer a siege of it,"
"Ain't heard 'em talliin' on tn poor
farm yet, have ye, Obed?" joked Mr..
Currier
Almost" the other grinned. "S'pose
veil soon have an addition over there
in tn Binger baby, won't ye?"
enjoyed his frown as Mr.. Currier
replied: "Baby's been adopted"
Then he won't go?" was the dis
pirited query.
wal, not fer another week." modi-
fed my host Il should have said he
was only temporary adopted. Coin
a. week from next Monday"
Mr.. Splodgett frightened perceptibly
on being assured the baby's lease on
respectability was not permanent, and
he chuckled 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 a
good trainin' an 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, l tried to
hurry through the meal and evade
him. Just as l had refused pie, much
to Sis amazement, and was leaving
the table, a wagon drove into the yard
and Mrs. Currier announced: Here's
Meth with tn baby"
But it was not her husband it was
the optimistic Mr.. Splodgett, half re-
clining on an improvised couch, while
his sister, a 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. 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 that
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 perma-
1ent 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! / don't mind growed-up
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, 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. l can't git
down, We 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 so that the little face peeped
out and Mr.. Splodgett's countenance
grew solemn.
He gingerly picked up one kicking
worsted covered foot between his
rough thumb and finger and eyed it in
deep surprise. "Lcm'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 whiskera
that tickled his chin.
Smells like new milk" remarked
Mr.. Splodgett apologetically with g
red face as he raised his head. But
| could swear he kissed the little
cheek.
His sisters inexpensive face stole
bit of animation as she snatched
the tiny form from his awkward laI
and gently patted the brown hair ant
rearranged the blanket with deft fin
gers. Then she asked in her usua
monotonous voice. Shall we go bacl
now, Obed?"1
, Hold onl" cried Mr.. -Currier. a.
} obed nodded and the wagon began t.
turn. we've forgot tn baby!'
mo, we amt" grinned Obed sheep
ishly. We've got him. We're goin
ter take him home. I'd planned on i
} right along. Only l didn't wantel
come between him an this experience
When he's older he'll enjoy thinkin
1t over. Better pull th' blanket ovel
him more I,urinda or else lem me