The Republican journal., 1912-12-12
JACKS BABY.

The Kingsleys were called by their
neighbors peculiar, and we are not
disposed to contradict them. There was
the father, mother and three sons, the
latter all woalan-haters, or at least wo-
man. summers, for even when boys at
the district school, not one of them
would play with or in any way notice
girl. AS a family, they were industri-
Gus, economical and well-to-do. Work,
work, work was the order of the day,
and save, save, save was the keynote Of
their lives. If there was one among
them more of a hustler than the others
it was the eldest son, Jack, and if one
more than another of the sons was
averse to society, it was Jack.
1t was on Thanksgiving morning that
our story opens, but we doubt II any OF
thelKingsleys had given thought to the
day. In their busy, unsentimental ex-
istence, there had been no account made
of the days that come like pleasant mile
stones along the way. There was no
Thanksgiving cheer, or Christmas gifts;
New Year meant nothing to them but
change Of date, and Easter was only
Sunday, the day of rest at this farm
house. In the East, long years before,
Mr.. and Mrs. Kingsley had been church
members, and doubtless still claimed to
be. but for years they had only attended
services when some neighbor was buried.
They had come West when the country
was new and the children babies. There
was no place to go at first, sand by the
time churches and social privileges had
come to them, they did not want them.
The bows never inclined to mix much with
other people, though plenty of nice girls
-, tho y,airb horboo6 would have rISkp0
their chances of happiness in their keep
ing, for morally they were without re-
proach.
If anyone could be said to rise first in
a family where all were up betimes, it
was this same Jack, whose heavy foot
fall oftimes Weakened the house. On
this Thanksgiving morning he was out
even earlier than usual, for it was corn
husking time and in one way and another
they had been hindered this particular
fall. Stumbling out into the cold, early
light, he was surprised to run against
great willow basket.
"What the nations this?" he growled.
Now we would not have you under
stand that Jack was peculiarly ILL
natured man; but it is usually true that
in families where the little refnements
and courtesies are omitted, the boys-and
sometimes the girls-grow up surly and
irritable in manner, even when, IN real
ity, there is no anger in their hearts.
With the half-formed thought in mind
that some neighbor had left it after the
family had retired, he lifted the lid.
'Jupiter!' was the one word that es-
capped his lips, and then he simply stared.
But it was not Jupiter or any other ce-
lestial body that lay there so snugly in
the basket, but very lovely terrestrial
body-in other words, a beautiful babe
smiled up into his face.
'Jupiter!' he said again, and let fall
the lid, only to lift it again Immediately.
1t would have been study for an artist
the old brown farmhouse amid the leaf
less trees for background, the furry of
snow sifted over the porch, the great
willow basket, from which smiled the
lovely infant, and the uncouth figure in
high boots, overalls, short brown coat
and SLOUGH hat bending above it.
How long he might have remained in
this poise is uncertain, but the little
ones efforts to free her arms aroused
him. Once more letting fall the lid he
lifted the basket into the kitchen just as
mis- mother emerged from her room.
what on airth you got?" she ques-
toned
Somebody's young'un left on the
doorstep"
Mercy sakes!"
'lhe inmate of the basket here raised
her voice in protest against longer i'm.
prisonment and once more Jack lifted
the cover.
Il neckon it's about froze,' he sale
and then turned to replenish the fire.
Mrs. Kingsley wonderingIy undid the
rich wrappings until thet,little arms, un-
pinioned, were held pleadingly up. What
woman could refrain from lifting the
little creature out and pressing it to her
breast? Even Mrs. Kingsley could not,
though she made sure first that Jack s
back was turned. Soon the remainder
OF the family were on the scene, surpris-
ed and wondering over "Jack's baby, -
as it was called from the first.
There was nothing by which she could
be identified, save a square white card
bearing the one word, Fay"
At breakfast Mrs. Kingsley remarked
conlplainingly:
Now there'll be trip clean to John
Sweets"
John Sweet's??" queried Jack, alb
fent- mindedly, as he watched his mother
feeding milk to the little stranger.
Yes, he's the poor commissioner,
amt he?"
What of that"
''What of that? Did | ever! Why,
you can't git this young one into the
poorhouse without seeing him about it, /"
A wave of color swept across Jack s
sunburned, unshaved face, but he only
replied that he guessed they could board
her until Sunday, leastways no one
could be spared from the husking now.
Nd how dye pose I'm to do my
work, md care for baby all that time?
Here it's only Thursday"
''She don't seem troublesome yit."
No, of course she'll be good while
I'm minding her all the time, but wait
till put her by.'
Before Jack had been at work two
hours he made an excuse to go back to
the house. His mother happened to be
out Of doors when he entered the
kitchen, but there sat the lovely child
in her basket, gleefully pulling the
strands of skein of scarlet yarn. The
moment she caught sight Of him she
gave happy, gurgling laugh. dropped
the yarn and held out her arms; but he
pretended not to see. When next he
glanced in h direction, the baby's lip
was trembling and tears were yelling
up into TIE great dark eyes.
He made a step toward her, then
paused. looking from his dirty hands