The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1908-03-20

THE SALE OF DAVID.
BY FRANCIS BENT DILLINGHAM;.

Eliza was tired of taking care of
David. Eliza was eight and David
was two. In the morning before she
went to school Eliza washed and
dressed him and gave him his break
fast. When she came home at noon
she gave him his dinner; when school
was over at night Eliza took entire
care of David till his bedtime.
Eliza's mother was very busy
woman with little money and seven
children to clothe and feed. There
was a baby younger than David; there
were three children older than he and
younger than Eliza, and only Eliza
and Mary, a girl of twelve, to help the
mother. Eliza should have been
grateful hat she was required to take
care of David only.
But Eliza sometimes got very tired
of David, very; though of course she
was fond of him. This afternoon she
was more than usually cross as she
trundled him down the street in the
cart her father had made out of 9
soap box on four squeaking, wriggline
wheels.
Eliza tugged resentfully at the rope
fastened through a hole in the box
David grinned delightedly at the sun
shine, and enjoyed the squeak. Not
so Eliza Amy Winters had invited
the girls to her house that afternoon
to make candy. She had told Eliza
she could not come If she must bring
David. This was not so unkind OF
Amy as seems at first for the girls
were fond of David, who was the best
natured baby in the world; but at the
last candy pull David had attended
he had upset on his head cup OF
molasses just ready for the stove. So
while the other girls had pulled the
candy, Eliza had to wash David's face
and hair.
Eliza went fast past Amy's house
beating up a cloud of dust about he1
downcast eyes. She walked on to-
ward the postoffice. Here some boys
were playing marbles. One of then
stopped and greeted Eliza.
"Hullo, how's your kid today?"
The boys all called David "Eliza's
kid"
Eliza did not deign to answer; she
tossed her head and the wagon
| wheels creaked ominously.
kid for sale, kid for sale" called
another, smiling good naturedly al
David's happy face.
The silent Eliza went on faster than
ever. When she had turned the cor
ner, and was out of sight OF the boys
she looked back at David. She wished
he was for sale; she wished somebody
would buy him. With his soft red
curls and round blue eyes, he was
pretty enough for anybody to buy
Now she remembered she had heard
her mother say that very morning
she wasn't rich in anything but chill
dren, and she wished somebody would
buy some of them.
Elizas mother was so busy moving
about that q speech begun in one room
was likely to end in another, so that
Eliza frequently did not hear the end
of her mothers remarks. Eliza did
not hear her mother add that there
wasn't child she would part with fol
less than ten million dollars. Eliza
thought that perhaps or mother would
be glad to sell David.
I'll find him a good place" said
Eliza, with kind, rich old lady
and she'd pay good deal, and
wouldn't have to take care of him. Ia
want him to have nice big house.
The cart, the baby and the little
girl went up the hill, where were some
of the pleasantest homes In the town
Ellie stopped in front of one OF these
On the side piazza sat a pretty lady
dressed in black. Squeaking, squeak.
ing, the cart came up the path. The
diplomatic Eliza left David at the
toward the lady. David did not cry
David seldom cried.
| Are you the lady that lives here?'
said Eliza.
| The lady took a moist handkershie1
| down from her eyes and looked with
start at the small Eliza standing al
the foot of the side steps. She nodded
Would you like tC buy a baby?
A-what?" asked the lady in {
strange voice.
"a baby. / have One to sell.
The lady sat up very straight
How much is it worth?"
81 don't know; I'll let you see him
and then perhaps you can tell"
Eliza trotted around to the front
gave David's red curls a rub in the
right direction, sighed at his dirty
hands, then pulled the cart around tC
the side.
$50 that is the baby" said the
lady. Take him out and let me look
at him."
Eliza pulled David out of the box
and tugged him, Imply Indifferent
up the steps. The lady looked at him
She held out her hand and David
caught at her fingers; then, with
gurgle of pleasure, fell against hel
knee. The lady bent over him. "This
baby is worth a great deal" she said
"Why do you want to sell him?'
Because there's six more like him
not exactly like him cause I'm one;
but we've got good many babies and
not much money, and l thought
l have to take care of him all the time
and the girls don't always like to
have him round"
"Do you think he's worth hundred
dollars?" asked the lady.
A hundred dollars! Why, of course
no baby in he world could be worth
that!
Il think ten would be enough,
said Eliza tremulously.
II can't pay you all at once" said
the lady. She stopped and lifted the
baby into her lap and he leaned
against her, laughing contentedly
But I'll pay by instailments."
What's that ?" asked Eliza witt
dread
why little by little, you know. L
he suits me, I'll pay it all; but mean
time I'll give you-how much shall
l give you till we get acquainted?"
''Ten cents would do for tonight,
said Eliza
The lady took up a dangling silver
purse and, holding it out of reach o
the baby's fingers, she extracted
dime.
81 suppose you'll give this to YOU
mother" she said gravely.
Eyes, ma'am," answered Eliza will
greater gravity.
"And here's one cent for you t,
spend. And here's my card to shov
your mother who's bought the baby.
Eliza stood looking at the lady.
"Good-by,'' said the lady. "What'i
his name?"
David" answered Eliza.
David and / are going into tn
house." said the lady. She gatheret
the baby up in her arms, and he, play
ing with the silver purse, never looke'
at Eliza.
"Do you-do you"-asked Eliza
know how to take care of babies?
The lady's lips quivered. "Ver,
| well indeed" she said, and then sh
went into the house and shut the door
"I'll leave the cart" shouted Eliza
you may need 1t. ;"
| Nobody answered, and Eliza Walke