The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-19

is baby-poor, forgotten one!" Her
arms plunged into the carriage and
brought from under the hood a bundle
wrapped in an old shawl. The bundle
wriggled and walled Justify.
You win take it to the police
commanded Jacob sourly What for
should anyone wish us bad luck like
this?"
The baby suddenly stopped crying
and. Graded in Rosa's hungry. mother.
ly arms, stared up at her with round,
black eyes.
He should maybe two months DID,"
remarked Rosa. such beautiful boy
see, Jacob he smiles at you!"
Il see nothing but bad luck"
shrugged Jacob peevishly. Where is
my umbrella and my galoshes, Rosa?"
What for, papa?"
Il go to the police"
In the morning, Jacob-husband!
Let me keep him tonight will take
him tomorrow myself-poor little one
that mother should pawn her babe
for dollar" she crooned softly.
Jacob stamped back to his desk and
looked up his records.
Ticket 1882" he mumbled Did
you know the woman, Rosa?"
No. She looked like that Vetta
Vogel what keeps boarders down by
Hester street." Rosa threw this in
formation over her fat shoulder Il
go to give baby some milk, papa" The
door into the living room slammed
Jacob sat and stared at the closed
door. He could hear Rosa's tender
voice as she moved to and fro and
again the baby's cry ending in CUR.
gle Of satisfaction.
But for the heavy years-it could
be little Joey again." he sighed He
was a good son-it was his only dis.
obedience" He bowed his head upon
his greasy ledger.
He did not hear Rosa when she
| came into the shop and dragged Joey s
cradle from dusty corner. nor the
heavy vibration of her tireless feet
! as she waited upon the waif He was
thinking of Joey in all his delightful
phases from infancy to upright young
| manhood.
!
| A week later Jacob Hornitz faced
a shawl-wrapped woman. She pushed
some money and pawn ticket across
the counter.
Il came for it," she said briefly.
| Jacob studied the ticket and nodded
He went to the corner and pulled out
the baby carriage. Here it is" he
said.
The woman hesitated. She was oil
and wrinkled and her hair was griz
zled. II want the baby, too" she sale
sharply.
THE ticket calls for baby carriage
no more" said Jacob sternly.
Il want the baby. l hear him cry
ing now" She started toward tn,
back Of the shop, but Jacob and thu
carriage blocked her path.
mo lady would pawn her baby. 70,
are crazy" he said.
Il tell you l hear it."
what you hear 1t our own baby
one shall adopt. viii you 60 o.
must I call police?" he asked politely
Il will 60 and bring police myself
old man." she cried shrilly, and clat
tered up the steps.
Rosa came into the shop, carryinl
the baby in her arms.
Jacob poked a crooked finger ur
der the babys dimpled chin. "Sucl
little rascal babee!" he chuckled.
The shop door flew open and tw'
people flung inside-a girl whose fac
was sharpened by illness and priva
ton young man gaunt and hollow
eyed, a ghost of dashing Joey Hornit7
Il want my baby" said the CIR
tensely, holding out eager arms.
Give her the baby, mother" sal,
Joey gently. "She has pinned for it."
| Silently Rosa dropped the baby ii
Rays arms. She and Jacob stared a
Joey with unbelieving eye. The
scarcely listened to his tale of povert
and illness and how an avaricious AM
merciless landlady had caused bah
and carriage to vanish one storm
night They had just gained her cor
fession that she had pawned the cal
riage and relieved her house of tn
nuisance of a baby guest.
II am sorry for the trouble, papa,
said Joey, but we will 60 now. Come
Ray. Good-by, mamma"
Jacob scurried down to the door an,
locked II. You couldn't take ava,
our baby" he deiied them. It's go
to stay here-and you, .Toey-and Ray
your wife-we want you all. Ell
mammal"
Rosa's eyes were full of tear
,Ioey's arm was around her and ia
cob was awkwardly huggng Ray ant
the baby.
"Of course all our children mus
stay here by u.s." she said decidedly
Joey, you help papa, Ray, baby
milk is warm-we must feed hin
now"
Copyright, 1915 by the Mcclure Newspa
per Syndicate.)
l
A Poor Present.