Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-20
THE PARSONS BABY
BY JOHN HENRY NEUHAUsEF

BY JOHN HENRY NEUHAUSER.
1t was late in the evening when the
Rev. MacLain, with baby in his arms,
reached his home. He ran up the steps
briskly and rang the bell.
Who's there? inquired a voice from
the window above.
Its l." he replied; open the door. I've
got baby, Martial
"A BABYr
Yes. I've got a baby! But don't ask
any more questions. Let us in, will
1 your
The door opened, and there stood her
husband with a sleeping baby in, his
arms.
well, David! she said, What are
you going to bring home next? Last week
you brought a tramp, yesterday a dog,
and tonight a baby!"
well, let us come in, will you? It is
cold out here, and my boy may get chill
ed
MY boy she said. so you took
special pains to get a boy, did you? Where
did you get him? Give him to me. He Is
cold. I'll take him to the fire and warm
him." and she unconsciously kissed the ba-
by several times as she walked toward the
stove, while her husband regarded her
kindly.
Where did you get this baby?" she
asked again.
ION the street car replied her hus-
band with a twinkle in his eye. "A lady
sat on the opposite seat holding him. She
was pale, very pale. Several times she
closed her eyes and seemed about to let
the baby drop. She saw me watching her.
She came to me and asked me to hold
her boy. She was i'll. She wanted to get
some fresh air.
1T took the baby while she went out
on the platform. That was at Thirtieth
street. At Fiftieth. street 1 grew anxious
and beckoned to the conductor. He
came"
How is the sick lady?' I said
THE sick LADY," he asked; which one
do you mean?'
informed me that she had gotten off at
here he is"
But David, what will we do with
him7''
Wen turn him over to the police to-
morrow" he said, rather drily.
mo, we won'tT' she answered. He
will remain here until his mother comes
for him. She is not much of a mother!
She'll never get him! Wen keep him,
Davidw
yes. Martha. Wen keep, him. He is
minel"
Yours? He is ours! Now you heat
some water and we will give him bath
before putting him to bed"
The minister went to heat the water,
and when he returned his wife said:
David, you go upstairs and get one
of those little nighties out Of the upper
dresser drawer, and
The minister put his arm around his
wife's neck and kissed the tears from
her eyes .
Its just three years ago tonight since
Archie died, is II not Martha7"
Yes, dear!" and she returned his
kisses.
IT thought of that as was coming
up the street." he said, as he turned to
perform his errand.
The garments were brought, and, TO-
gether they bAthed and dressed the little
fellow. And a rosy little chap he was.
They kissed him by turns, vowed he
should never leave their home. and even
laid some plans for his future.
Now we must put him into the little
crib" said the minister's wife. 1T has
been vacant for three years!'
There was a rap on the door.
The minister went and opened the door, |
and there stood man and woman.
You don't know us" said the man.
1T know that woman" replied the min !
lister, "she is the one who gave me the !
baby on the street car"
Yes" said the woman, 1T am the |
baby's mother. This is my husband. We !
planned it together. The times are hard. !
We are poor. We thought we could not |