Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1909-07-29

simple folk still had their ideals. and
there is nothing in life so satisfactory
as having ones ideals realized.
In the fulness of time there cana
good news from Baldwin's Ford. and
there was much hustle and autter
about Melissy's house and running in
or the neighbor women. When tbev
emerged 1t Wa with mods and smiles
and knowing rinks. as if they were
bubbling over with some glad. mo-
mentous intelligence The spring
wagon was hastily rolled out. and old
Star, stepping more lively than sha
had done for a eozen years. was has
tily put between the shafts. Jeff de-
posted a mysterious bundle in the
wagons bed and then leaped to the
seat. Then Mother Danbury came
out. all smiling anxiety. and with fut.
ering ribbons and mods to the as.
sembled people she was borne away
towards Baldwin's Ford.
How the women gathered and chat.
ted about it and wondered. It became
a village event. Jeh finally returned
grinning and shamefaced. to an.
nounce: IT'S a girl. and Mis- Danburv
says 1t weighs nine pounds"
The men on the street. after hear.
ing the news. chuckled and walked
away.
Meanwhile there was rejoicing also
In the village OF Baldwin's Ford
Felix was joyfIly fearful. and bust
nngiy glad the grandmothers. while
Martina, all white from her travail
lay nursing her babe to her bosom
Don't you think the little dear is
wrapped up a little heavy?" whis.
pered Mother Danbury to the widow
Too heavy!" shifted the widow;
no, indeed. Why, when my Marthy
was two days cid l had her wrapped
In twice that amount of stuff"
But Marthy was born in the win
ter"
That don't make no difference; a
baby's a baby. I've had one"
I've had three" was Mother Dan
bury's quiet retort.
One of ems dead, though"
She didn't die till she growed to
be quite a girl, so it was the will O.
Providence an no fault O. mine"
La, Mother Danbury, l didn't say
it was"
This was a trife conciliatory, but
Felix's mother was hurt, and the Wild
'ow Dickson was put into an attitude
of defence as to her rights over her
daughters child.
The next day. when the doctor
came, the Widow Dickson forestalled
Mother Danbury in questioning him,
and took all the responsibility of car
ing for the child upon herself.
Il don't want to take the child from
You. Martha Ann Dickson, only want
to help you. It's my sons child as
well as your daughters" said Moth
er Danbury
My daughter had all the pain O.
bearin' this child"
"Well-well-" The other old lady
stopped. She had nothing to say that
quite fitted the occasion.
Day after day Mrs. Dickson bathed
and cuddled the baby while her visit
or was compelled to stand by and
look on. Finally one morning when
the baby was nearly three weeks old
wagon wheels were heard in the yard.
and Mother Danbury came into the
room with her bonnet strings tied
and her buster on.
We'll, | guess I'll be goin, Marthy."
she said to her daughter-in-law.
Why, Mother Danbury, you amt
a-goin'. are your"
"Oh, the baby's dom first rate, an
II In
more"
Marthy begun to cry. But / want
you" she said.
Then Mrs. Dickson broke in with
many tears. 1T does seem strange
to me, Marthy, that you should be
a-cryin' after somebody else after the
mother I've been to ye! That's all
the thanks a mother gets"
Never mind, never mind, you'll
get along all right, both O. you, an
you know there's Melissy an the chill
dren at home to look after"
But what will Felix say?" moaned
Marthy, for Felix's mother had chos-
en- a safe time. when he was away, to
take her departure.
Felix is my son, too" said the
widow, sternly.
Then Mother Danbury turned on
her for one brief moment
Fair exchange is no robbery, Mar
tina Ann Dickson" she said. and went
out at once to the wagon, where she
tied down her veil, though the day
was hot
The baby smiled IN its sleep. 1t is
a pretty fallacy that says babies
smile thus because angels are whis-
pering to them. In most cases. as