The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-20

I comfort, a warmth
in contrast with this. He looked with
msgiving at George Washington.
| Never mind. It's a fine home. with a
mother, and we'll go on toots." he whis-
pered. And she must "a been right
you need a woman"
Doson's host and hostess greeted
| him rigidly. He rose in embarrass-
ment. '1ve-brung him." he said.
The offended couple had no intention
Of giving In readily. They felt 1t due
their dignity that Dolson should be
forced 20 plead for the privileges he had
rejected. II was kind o took all of
"A sudden" he explained. land | couldn't
make mp my mind 10 give him up right
off Him and mes got on pretty good
together But aint got no right TO
keep him. know that"
! In the end IL was agreed upon.
! George Washington was TO be reared
! in charted rooms. TO be taught charted
manners. The miller said brusque good
| by TO him, choking back his misery.
VIII Saturdays be convenient for me
10 call and take him on his toois?' he
asked at The door.
His toots?"'
Little benders. I mean-when I ride
him In his carriage and buy him toys
and that kind o. thing
' Mrs. Warmers eyes snapped. III we
take him it's understood that all former
ties are severed
Dolson's eyes swung 10 George WASH
ington where he sat IN tho peacock blue
rocker. His thoughts tottered for an
instant; then. with only one idea dis
tinct, he snatched the baby and almost
ran. Hugg!ng him close, as II resruins
him from k,dnappers he was out upon
the street. He heard the Warner door
! shut tarty.
He walked rapidly 70 the station. His
thoughts knew no let now. In their
reaction, after tho hours Of rcnunca
ton, they stopped at nothing. The
baby was his. he had a right 10 II, he
defed any one TO take il from him
Who had a better right TO this little
waif? he demanded.
Deserted. he had rescued tho baby,
had clothed and fed it. had been father
dared say that a woman could have
done more? What of his promise to
her? He had fulfilled it in spirit IL not
in letter. He would never give up the
baby nov.
| once more taking up housekeeping
with his partner" he openly announced
that the partnership was 10 continue
He's my kid now, I've decided to raise
him. he told every one.
Tho community had from the first
been interested in the baby with a his
tory. and the news that he was 10 be
reared a member of II increased the
interest. "Dolson's kid" was known for
his hospitality. the Warner couple being
the only guests 10 whom ne had ever
failed TO extend cordially. Farmers,
driving TO the mill brought him little
gifts. Children begged their fathers 20
take them along 20 see tho famous baby.
But the popularity was not his alone
The miller had thrown down the wall
which shut out others. He did not
understand il all: but in truth. he had
lopened the doors OF the disused soul
when tho baby came, like those OF the
shabby old mll had let in the sun, had
put II in repair. Children, once afraid
Of his silence, now chartered TO him.
His prosperity had returned and was
moro than in the old years The new
miller had not been honest. and now
that Dolson was friendly again his Gus
toners were glad 10 come back.
Gradually the corn was "shucked out"
and. rs Christmas approached. an ever
growing procession turned In At his
road wagons that for so long had
passed Mennens with It's old
familiar creak. Rains with its clattcr,
Forman's with it's vivid green paint.
Elsbree's with its yellow umbrella ,
closed for the winter and standing like n
mast. Dolson hired a man and ran the
mill night and day.
Jim or Seth or Richard Henry Che must
soon settle upon n name, I've miller told
ihlmself) would lie sent TO the school
in Pleasant city. then 10 the Bolivia
High School, then 10 the university At
Lawrence. He smiled al himself, but
for all that he sent to the University
for catalogue and read II from cover
To cover.
Seeing a holiday display in the store
he bethought him OF Christmas tree
He went 10 BOLIVIA for one, bought Il
for the fabulous price charged In tina,
prairie region, TO which everGreens have
to be brought from great distances, and
spent lavishly on Its adornmcnt. lie
would give Richard Henry n party and
invite all the children TO he found
One evening shortly before Christmas
he put the baby to bed early. then went
to the sitting room and brought forth
the tree from the closet where It stood,
planted in butter tub. lie opened
tho boxes OF golden balls and tinsol,
festoons, took off his coat and began the
task Of trimming.
When some. one knocked hs was
sprInklng diamond dust upon tho cot
ton snow Of the lower branches and
he did not rise from his knees, sup
posing il to no the hired man. Come
in" he shouted, and went on sprlnkling
the dust.
How do, Mr.. Dolson?" satd the yis-
itor shyly.
Dolson looked up and gazed dumh,y
at the man. II was--n no. II could not he
he was changed In some wonderful,
indefinable way--yet Il was