The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1908-03-27

When Mrs. Spaulding went to the
county orphan asylum, she hadn't the
remotest idea of bringing home the
wee mite of humanity she did. On
thu contrary, she needed q half
grown girl large enough to wash
dishes, run errands, and otherwise
assist with household duties, now
that she was getting on. in years.
"A good sized girl, capable and
wiling" was what she asked the ma
iron for.
= "Come this way" answered that
person; II think we have just the girl
for you"
In going to the section of the build.
ing where the larger girls were domi-
ciled they had occasion to pasa
through the nursery.
In this room a number of little
ones were playing. One dark-eyed
little elf caught hold Of Mrs. Spauld-
ing's gown.
my, but isn't she pretty!" ex-
" claimed the visitor, looking down at
dark, roguish face. How old is she?"
"She must be almost three, as near
rs we can reckon" answered the ma
tron. "She is of Italian parentage,"
she went on. Her father, poor,
strolling musician, sick and despond
ent, put an end to his life. The
child was found in the room with his
body-dreadful. wasn't it? And such
= dear little thing, too-tell the lady
your name, dear"
"Tildywinks," lisped the child.
"Perhaps her name is Matilda
ventured Mrs. Spaulding.
Suddenly the child stretched out
her arms-"Mamma," she cried
"rildy's mamma" Oh, what music
in that word to the heart of the
childless woman; it was the keynote
to the doorway of her heart.
Only in dreams had the woman felt
the clinging baby arms, the warm
pressure Of baby lips-only anticipar
ton never till GENERALIZATION.
Come, Tidy, kiss the lady good.
BY" 1t was the matron's voice she
heard.
She was moving on, expecting her
visitor to follow, but Mrs. Spaulding
was standing still, peculiar express
sion on her face as she said:
II don't think l want that girl l
spoke about; I've changed my mind
think" hesitatingly; I'll take
this one."
Once outside the gray stone build
ing she wondered at her doing
Staid. middle aged Bessie Spaulding
taking baby for adoption. She
smiled as she thought of her neigh
bors' criticism. She was prepared for
it all.
Thirteen years passed. The child
that Mrs. Spaulding had taken to her
heart could indeed be classed as "a
good sized girl" She was in her six
teenth year. A tall, beautiful girl,
with dark, flashing eyes and rich
brown complexion.
She proved to be a great comfort
to- her foster parents Through the
Nvelong day she sang joyous notes,
like the calling of bird.
Once a stranger passing, paused to
listen to that sweet voice, and lis
tening, exclaimed:
Bravo! Bravo!"
She wondered what he meant-she,
this innocent child of nature.
such strange man, mother" she
said when she sat at her feet in the
twilight. do sing very well?" she
asked.
well enough to please mother"
came the soft answer, and she was
content.
The next Sabbath while she sang in
the village choir dark face was up
. lifted in mute admiration; it vas the
man who called out Bravo to her
while she sang.
She saw him stop and speak to her
foster parents. She watched her moth
or place her hand on her heart. while
the color died from her face.
That night as she lay awake she
heard voices from below 1t was
her foster parents. She caught the
words:
I'VE must keep her from the
choir, John. My God! he'll take her
from u.s."
She had vague impression that the
dark stranger was a relative. She
knew the history of her own origin.
that her rightful parents came from
Italy. Perhaps he had come to take
her away. AS, but she would not 20:
no, never.
For time she ceased to sing. When
the spring came, all her joyousness re-
turned. She sang with the birds.
notes sweeter than the nightingale
How could she be otherwise than in
harmony with nature?
She was sitting in the garden sing
Ing bright little melody; it seemed
to come from her very heart. She
was conscious of presence, and rails
Ing her eyes saw the stranger-he who
would take her away.
Gathering up her work and garden
hat, she would have rushed into the
house, but he stood in her pathway
"Ah, mademoiselle, nsten," he plead.
ed. do you want to become rich. ia
nous, queen among women"
She caught the words "rich. fa-
nous" Her breath came in little
gasps. Then she bent her dark head
and listened. She was only woman.
To be praised, admired, gifts cast at
her very feet; to become prima don
ma. All, the temptation was too
great.
"Give me time to think" she plead
ed; "only time to think"
One night before the footlights
would bring sufficient m0nev to mr.