The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-07-11

Belinda'S:
Orphan
She Brought Happiness to Lone !
" Home
BY cLARIssA MAcKIR /:
Copyright by American Press ILsso- I
citation, 1871
BY cLARIssA MAcKIH
Copyright by American Press ILsso-
citation, 1871.

without bothering with high flying
youngster thatll scare the chicks and
get stung by the bees, although they're
warranted stingless, mind you. and to
trample on my berry bushes. No,
ma ammo orphans for mel" This time
Miss Belinda's lips clicked together
with little sound of fnality.
"I'm sorry, Belinda. because the
home is jest about running over with
'em. was telling the matron this
morning that knew there were plenty
of folks in Little River who could give
good home to some Of those young
sters If they wasn't so mean and
stingy OF course don't mean you,'
added the local member of the visiting
committee of the Riverview Orphans
home. But sometimes when think
Of all the spare beds, all made up
clean and white. In the empty homes
around here 1t makes my blood bile
to look upon them poor orphans so
crowded for room that Mrs Hill says
they'll have to sleep in rows crosswise
of the beds pretty soon."
II want to knowg' calculated Be-
linda. with startled glance at Eme-
line Brown. 81 think you better stick
to the truth. Emeline. and not exaR-
gerate Now, honest and true, how
many orphans too many have they got
up there?"
Ten" replied Mrs Brown tiatly,
"Humphr' snorted Belinda.
In and out of the scarlet wool went
her big wooden knitting needles as she
rapidly constructed shawl to comfort
some shiyering shoulders when the
summer was over Mrs, Brown watch
ed her neighbor expectantlyx With a
family of seven sons and daughters
under her own rooftree she was safe
In the condemnation of the uncrowded
homes of Little River. Here was Be-
linda Downs. now a handsome, well
preserved spinster of forty-two, OF In
dependent means, possessing a snug
home. tiny income sufficient for her
modest wants, little shaggy pony and
a rusty phaeton to carry her about the
countryside. There was neither man,
woman nor child to call upon Belinda
for service. for she was without rela-
t1ves. having outlived them all.
Il should think this was Just the
place for an orphan to be happy in"
suggested Mrs Brown. throwing an
admfring glance around the small do
main where orchard and garden were
green and thrifty In spring bloom
I've got orphans enough as It is"
snapped Belinda shortly
Mrs Brown smiled as she saw the
fatherless and motherless strays which
the lonely woman had gathered about
her. There was a lame duck which
Belinda had rescued after hunter had
brought it down with CHANGING shot:
a carrier pigeon which had dropped
exhausted on her doorstep; a mongrel
dog of many scolors which had been
faithfully scrubbed by Miss Belinda
and was now much cleaner If not hap
pier than in his soiled state; there was
also fine collection Of homeless cats.
Indeed. Miss Belinda's place might
have been another orphanage, so thick
~ was it populated with waits.
Would you rather have boy or
girl?" asked Mrs Brown craftily. But
Miss Belinda was not to be caught
that way.
I'D rather have cat" she said.
You ought to be ashamed, Belinda
Downs, the way you do talk! Ii you
could see them poor young ones look
ing SO wistful every time a visitor
comes. hoping it's somebody to offer
a home, you'd harness up Dolly this
very instant and go and fetch one
away"
Might as well bring two while /
was about it." remarked Miss Belinda
1--WE heard it said TINT
it's cheaper for two to live than one.
Amt you heard that2"
mo, indeed If that's the case. nine
people ought to live for nothing, and
know we don't do that" Mrs. Brown
jerked on her sunbonnet, shrugged her
fat shoulders and without another
word waddled down the path that led |
to the gate between the two places.
Take an orphan. indeedp' shifted |
Belinda for the hundredth time sinc,s
the Riverview home had been erected.
'Humphy she calculated, also for the
hundredth time
Nevertheless. as soon as dinner wag |
over Belinda did harness up shaggy |
little Dolly. and. climbing into the
Dhaeton and holding the lines very
high in her mitted hands. she drove |
through the pine woods down to the
Riverview home.
"Pd like to look at some orphans"
said Belinda to the matron when she
was seated in the darkened parIor of |
he home What kind have your"
the added. just as II orphans were
or fruit in the market.
Mrs. Hill smiled In spite Of the sum
ner heat that nearly overpowered her
bulk of flesh. I'VE have all kinds, even
t we haven't got all colors." she said.
Thereupon there ensued a period OF
rying ordeals for tender hearted Be-
linda Downs
Black hair and brown. red hair and
ow. iaxen and pure gold all passed in
review, and when It was all over uner.
remained ia the parlor soft. round
faced damsel of five years, with soft
mop Of golden brown hair and pair
Of eyes like brown velvet pansies lash
ed thickly with black. Belindas heart
was humping rapidly while she inter-
viewed the little girl for the last mo
ment before giving her decision. The
child was shy and gave tinid. breath
less little whispering answers, and Be
linda loved her the more
'sHer name is Bessie Carson. Her
mother died in the city hospital last
March, and their records say that the
,hild's father is dead You can keep
ner for awhile, and If you are satisfied
you can take out full papers OF adop-
ion If you wish to. Miss Brown
Il guess III want to do that" said
Miss Belinda as she arose to 60
When will Bessie be ready?" she ask
I'd, with delightful sense Of owner
ship in the dainty Inorsel Of babyhood
before her
''This afternoon said Mrs Hill 4
You won't find her much trouble.
She's quiet little thing and speaks Of
aer mother and the little baby that
lied, and, strangely enough. she asks
'or her father. Where's your father,
Bessie, dearr' asked the matron. bend
ng down.
He'll be back In d little while" said
Bessie. running TO the window. II
guess better look for him, hadn't II"
Quaint. isn't she?' whispered Mrs.
Hill as she let Miss Belinda out
Very nice little GIRL said Miss Be
india, trying to keep the happy spar
zles out Of her eyes. for it did not