The Lamar register., 1922-04-19
Baby's Photograph
By OTILLIA F. PFEIFFER
&c. 1920. Western Newspaper Union.

"HumphI muttered Joel DOrkins,
and the accents were those of disap-
pointed man.
He had CHANGED to cast his eyes up
on the bureau where lay his wlfe's
writing materials. 1t held letter
which he recognized as from their mar
ried daughter. Eunice, who lived in
Brampton, and beside 1t was a photo
graph, that of child perhaps two
years old. Either 1t was a poorly TAX
en- picture, or the subject was out
rageously ugly looking naturally.
"Homely as sin," growled Joel. feel
ing wronged as grandparent. 1.-THE
first in the family, and squints. big
nose and ears, and Ma egging me on
to be prepared to give it pretty
present. Why, it ought to have a
mask! ~
Eunice and her husband had not
been back home since they were mar
ried. Now they had announced two
weeks visit, and little Virginia was
TO be brought in triumph. Little
cherub," took the prize at a baby
show. $50 smart and cute" and like
enthusiastic sentiments from Its fond
grandmother had aroused pride and
anticipation in the mind of Joel Dor
kins. Now he was disillusioned, with
a positive shock. The photograph lay
before him. probably just sent by Eu-
nice. He had gone to a jeweler the
week before and had ordered a costly
neck chain, he had written out a check
for one hundred dollars to be present
ed to the wonderful granddaughter as
the start of a savings account.
"I'll cancel the order and tear up the
check" declared Joel wrathfully. 81
hope they don't parade the child
around to have people endure its ap-
palling LONELINESS. 'Cherub.' Pretty
as a picture Looks just like moth
err wowi"
Joel swung from room and house
In fever of dissatisfaction and re-
sentiment Half mile away lived
Harper briggs. the father of Eunice's
husband. briggs was a retired farm
er, well-to-do, and Joel located him In
the upper floor of the barn where he
had a work shop. Originally briggs
had been weaver In straw and split
cane. To while away his idle hours
he once in awhile indulged in potter
ing at his old trade, purely for pleas
ure. He was now making a chair for
his granddaughter.
"Whatever possesses father?" more
than once during the week Mrs. Dor
kins observed to her daughter. "He
has n regular crouch all of the time.
Goes around as II the coming of your
sister and Walter and the baby was
a bore and annoyance to him"
"Oh. you're mistaken. mamma I'' In
sisted Nora Dorkins. 'He is just so
anxious to see the little one. and cod
die 1t. and crow over it that he can
hardly wait until Tuesday arrives"
Jcci Dorkins overheard the latter
opinion expressed and shook himself.
and growled, and went out in the gar
den and kicked up the turf. Those
big eyes That fiat nosei
Tuesday took him to town. The
briggs trio were expected to arrive
about noon. Joel returned home about
two o'clock. He was slightly penitent
as to his aversion for the ugly child
he was expected to go into ecstasies
over. He could not feel pleasant or
welcoming. but he felt IL a duty to
appear glad and cheerful at having
Eunice once more under the home roof.
As he neared the house he fancied he
distinguished flutter of feminine
skirts disappearing. AS he walked up
the gravel path he stared hard. Seated
In the wicker rocker that briggs had
made and presented was the most ex-
quisitely perfect and beautiful little
child his gaze had ever rested upon.
Her eyes were starlike. her ringlets
suggested an aureole of FURNISHED gold.
The moment she saw him approaching
she arose. clapped her hands. and then,
extending them caressingly towards
him. exclaimed in wild and joyous
glee:
"Dear Anspal Use Virginia Estelle
briggs How did you do?"
Joel fairly reeled. AS there came
a suppressed tittering from beyond the
screen door leading into the hallway.
he realized that the child was repeat
ing a tutored lesson framed for his
especial benefit. The child fairly
sprang into his arms. There he held
her, quivering all over with emotions
he could not analyZe.
Then he came in for n hugging from
Eunice, which his son-in-law followed
with genial, heartsome greeting. And