The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1915-07-08
The Belgian
Refugee

Mr.. briggs had reason to be
amazed. He was more than that
stunned. unnerved. A bachelor of
thirty, sedate and settled in his ways,
shy with women, unsocial with chill
dren, an appeal to his humanity had
come home to him with force that
was absolutely a shock
To the reticent, well-regulated oc-
cupant of the prettiest home In Brook
ton, and the loneliest, in the opinion
OF many signing matron with mar
riageable daughters, there had come
a disturbing invasion. He had left
home In peaceful frame of mind.
He had returned to find Mary, an old
loyal family servant, pacing the porch,
bundle done up in shawl In her
arms, which she was industriously
rocking and "s-sh-ing," to the accom-
paniment Of an unmistakable infantile
chorus.
"Why-what-?" began the dunn
founded briggs.
Don't talk too loud, SIR" warned
Mary, mysteriously. TITS baby"
"Where-did you get it? How-does
1t happen to be here?" blurted briggs,
aghast
It's war baby, sir"
"A what"
"Oh, sir" don't act so horrified!"
pleaded Mary. TITS not my fault. Just
after noon came out on to the porch
here, and there was this poor, wee
little darling lying asleep In an old
blanket. The sweet cherub!" and the
speaker cast defiant look at her mas
ter as though reproaching him for his
cast-iron lack of human sympathy.
But you said war baby" project
ed Mr.. briggs.
Yes, sir, that's right"
And what do you mean by thatT"
Why" explained Mary, "of course
/ was startled. telephoned to the
lady next door, the widow, you know,
who has just taken the place beyond
our garden wall. She came over. She
said than an emigrant train with
lot of Belgian refugees had kid over
in town since morning. Some of
the emigrtnts had put In the time
scattering around town. Ia Mrs. Dens-
lows opinion, some woman among
the poor uDfortunates got disheart-
ened and left her little baby, she
hoped, in friendly hands,"
why, we must find the mother"
began briggs, in worried way.
Too late, sir, I'm thinking" inter-
rupted Mary. You see, the train has
gone on. By this time any number
Of emigrants may have left it. In
fact, sir, If you can't stand it to have
this poor, motherless darling around
the place. I'll adopt it," declared
warm-hearted Mary steadfastly.
"And leave me?"
"Pl have to, if you won't let the
baby stay"
"U-um. ahem!" and briggs reflected.
Somehow it appealed to him strongly
to be merciful to the little stranger.
He had taken in crippled dogs-at
heart he was humanity not for
lorn mite of humanity abandoned to
the cold charity of the world?
Mary" he said finally in his usual
definite way, 'the baby can stay. Pro
vide for its comfort" and he started
to walk into the house.
IF you please. SIR" Mary halted
him, there are some necessities 1
must get for the poor little girl.
There's some clothing and coverings
needed, and infant food and the like.
If you could mind the little one for
an hour, / will run down to the stores
and get what's wanted"
Suppose it gets frac-
tious."
1T won't" insisted Mary. See, sir,
it's gone to sleep. I've given it some
warm milk and it will be quiet for
the little spell that I'm away, 1 am
sure"
1t was with considerable trepidation
that Mr.. briggs undertook the task
of pacing up and down the porch, awk-
wardly holding the sleeping child in
his arms. Then the little one began
to fidget. 1t was warm on the porch
and shady in the garden. Cautiously
he conveyed his precious burden down
the steps. There was path lining
the high brick wall that separated the
place from the adjoining house. Here
briggs took up his anxious promen-
ade.
He was not acquainted with his
neighbor, Mrs. Denslow. He had seen
her several times, a handsome, ge-
nial-faced Lady. Retiring and shy,
he had rather evaded her. When an
old-time friend and his family had
lived in the house. he had kept the
little door in the brick wall unlocked.
with the advent of new neighbor