Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-12-14

would be brought up, or rather allow
ed to bring itself up, against his idea
Of what was right, and there was not
one chance In ten that it would turn
out well. How could a mother devoted
to gaiety bring up child wisely? Why
she was at a great crush last night,
and was intending to go somewhere to-
night Christmas Eve though it was.
Mrs. Hammond was no more anxious
than her husband for the advent of one
who would interfere with her pleasures.
She had never had anything to do with
children, and believed she did not care
for them; she resented the intrusion Of
one into her own household. "They
are nothing but bothers, and seem made
to upset the servants" she sighed, land
after five years, tool"
But In the small hours Of the morn
Ing, despite his want Of welcome, John
Hammond Junior arrived-a tiny,
weird-looking mite, too early by some
weeks in making his appearance in a
cold, unkindly home.
The mother lay languidly, feeling lit
tie interest in anything as yet, She
had been wondering on the previous
night why the fates seemed to be
against her, why things went so con-
trary, why she had married q man who
rarely spoke, and was forever reading.
The same thought simmered In her
mind now. Yet It never occurred to her
that If man has no one who cares to
listen, It Is not easy to talk.
Suddenly a walling cry fell upon her
ear; at the same moment q frown
crossed her brow. Then her curiosity
YVES aroused, and she said: "Let me see
the child"
The nurse brought him to her with
an apologize air. Hes very small"
she said, "but not as weak as he might
have been. Bless him, he'll thrive yet,
please God-if his mothers got any
natural feeling" she added to herself,
(which I doubt"
The mother looked at the infant,
small and red, with an odd and old ex-
preston. Then suddenly mother-love,
Of all human sentiments the most exalt-
ed, the most ennobling, and the most
selfsacrificing, awoke within her. "Give
him to me-" and as the nurse hesitat-
ed, "He is mine," she cried.
A thrill Of joy such as she had never
felt before swept through her frame as
she pressed the little creature to her
breast, and stilled his cries. And when
he slept she would not release her hold,
but lay and watched him hungrily.
What hands-what feet-what eyes |!
Was ever such q child as this?
In the midst Of these unspoken rap
lures her husband entered the room to
pay duty call.
"John," she cried, dearest John, look
at him. He's ours! Isn't he a dear"
Could he believe his ears? Why, in
stead of being annoyed, she seemed ac-
tually delighted, and a curious feeling
swept over him as he gazed upon the
two.
The child awakened by the voices
opened his solemn eyes, and when the
father touched the tiny hand it clasped
his finger as having found a rock of
sure defence, and the three made pic
ture upon which the old nurse smiled.
"John," whispered his wife, at shall
devote my life to the bringing I'D Of
our precious child. shall never again
leave you to spend the evenings alone.
All my gaieties will be given ND. I
shall"
mot all, Eleanor" interrupted her
husband, gently, as certain unkind
thoughts he had once entertained smote
him, mot all, my dear. You must let
me have some part in bringing the wee
chap up. See how he holds on to mo
We will each do less separately and
more together. 1 will go out sometimes
with you. and you"
"Will stay at hone," she said, with
glorified face, and a smile so sweet
that to himself he called her the love
Hest woman in all the world.
John did not go to India that year,
nor the next, and when he did go he
was not alone. Little John grew up
fair and goodly child, the apple Of his
parents eyes, and each year the at
tempt to train him wisely united them
more firmly, nothing now being strong
enough TO sunder the love that daily
grew, for q three-fold cord is not quick
" broken.-London Sunday School
Times.