The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-17
Three Times and Out" Etc.


asleep Oh Aunty's lap, sucking her
numb contentcGly. She certainly was
q lovely baby ana the make and quality
Of her clothes showed that her parents
we're people Of means. The worthy
couple to whom the child mad come
like a fairy gift. were now over sixty
and childicss their only child, little
girl named Ruby, having died III infancy
long years ago and now IL seemed as If
she had returned 10 them. That evening,
me days work done. they sat by the
chccry woodiire-for the nights were
beginning t" b" cool-and discussed the
wonderful event. They were poor folk
jeremiah WAS day lahorcr and his
wife did pain sewing when she could
get II; but they were out of debt and
owned little farm of thirty acres. and
ih"n there was Jcrnmiah's pension
twelve dollars month sure. with Uncle
sam az paymastcr--so they were more
content perhaps than some of their
richer neichbors. and now that this gift
OF God-this little child-had como to
them. their cup Of 10y seemed over
flowing But n serious question con-
frontcd this honest couple: Gould they
keep her"
Nuntv Simmons brought down from
the garrett the dead baby's cradle un-
used for nearly forty years. and as she
gatod AT tho slice ing CHILD time rolled
back and IT was her own baby. her lit
'i' 'Nubs lI0l SlilnbfftO so SWtetlN In
the old pine cradl. made by her hus-
bands own strong ana capable hands
when the quick blood of youth lea ped
through his veins and the old woman
lcca'lcd with Il sigh their high hopes
for the future of the little one, who re-
manned with them for so brief n time
She gently rocked the cradle and
crooncd lullaby In a quavering voice;
outside the storm was again ra ging and
the rain dashed against the window
pancs, but within II was snug and
warm. on the hearth the dog and cat
slept together and in an old arm chair
jeremiah in his shirtslccves smoked n
corn-cob pipe. Presently he coughed to
attract his wifcs attention and re-
marked tentatively
S'pose it's up TO us 10 try and find
the parents. eh MAJ"
She started. and a flush came into her
withcrcd checks For a moment there
was fierce light in her eyes, the
same look one sees in an animal de-
Tending its young. the universal mother
look then she said: Couldn't we Jest
keep her? Keep her and say no,hin' to
n" one? Surely the Lord has sent her
TO us"
Guess that wouldn't be square. Han
nah. No one but the Almighty has the
right 10 take other peoples children
III tell Josh Perkins TO put an adver-
tiscmen; in The Sentinel tomorrow
Perhaps it won't be answered" she
said with a wistful glance. at the babe
Hope it won't; but we hev got to
be square about It, ma"
Their hopes were fulfilled for no an
swer came and the 'Simmonses baby"
was a seven day wonder, and then no
one thought of it. Ut first the county
folk FASTENED from far and near to see
the little founding and TO hear all the
particulars. and several times Aunty
Simmons had a great scare from let
ters and people who sought lost child.
but none claimed little Ruby. and as
time passed it was almost forgotten
that she was not their own child. The
neighbors were very kind and women
who had children about the same age
supplied her with an ample wardrobe
and did not fail to give her new
mother much good advice.
Years passed. and Ruby. tall, win
some maiden of seventeen. was now
real comfort and help to the old people
She was beautiful girl with laughing
Gecp blue eyes and chestnut hair. which
curicd In soft little rings about the low
wide forehead Hpr nvaInsboc 1,o,o