Milford chronicle., 1932-06-03

!
right for us to keep you if we sc
desired it, OF course we did so We
kept you all these years, and now
they have called for you, l guess"
"Oh! Nanny, l don't want any
other mother and father" pleaded
Mary.
"But you must hear the rest OF
the story, dear child. We lived on at
Hirren Run until you were five
years ole. Still we didn't hear from
your real parents. We didn't know
if they were dead or alive. We hop
ed they would never come to claim
you. We have grown to love you
So"
The tears were rolling down the
old Mammy's cheeks and old Pappy
was sitting with his head bowed.
"Oh, Pappy, you won't make me
go away, will you? begged Mary
earnestly.
"We'll try not, Mary, but l don't
know. You see we have no lawful
right on you, you know" answered
Pappy.
Old Nanny continued: 'Then
when you was five we moved here
and now they want to claim you
Oh! They can't do it, | say. They
lust can't" With this outburst old
Nanny buried her head in her
hands and cried as a child would.
NANNY, read the letter to me,
please" said Mary sadly.
The old lady dried her eyes, ad-
iusted her glasses and read:
Dear Friends:
l am your little girls mother.
Eight years ago 1 had to leave her
with you and go away. couldn't
support her. Her father died when
she was about a week old. | knew
YOU could and would take care of
her; so l was forced to do the right
thing. If | may I'd like to see her.
| love her and even though | have
never seen her since she was three
months old, l have loved her all
these years. shall call to see her
October %. Thank you again and
again for caring for my baby.
Her Mother
"But, Nanny, l don't want to see
her. / don't love her. l love you.
Please, don't let her come, please"
begged Mary.
Nov, now, dear; Maybe she just
wants to see you. She might not
want to take you away-still l don't
know" cOnsoled Nanny.
So it happened that Mary's own
mother came to see her. 1t was a
beautiful day. The autumn sun was
shining it's brightest. The autumn
leaves were just turning from green
to red and yellow.
Mary sat on box behind the
smokehouse, again watching the lit
tie birds play. She was broken
hearted. There was only one glad
thought in her mind. "She was
white" Now the girls at school
could sit up and take notice. They
couldn't make fun of her anymore.
Poor Ann; who had taken her part
many times would be glad, too. Her
thoughts were suddenly broken with
MARY, come here, your mother is
here" Mary's heart was heavy.
"All right, Nanny, I'm coming,
replied Mary.
She went into the house and her
own mother was there. The lady
beautiful, much more beautiful than
Mary had thought anyone could be.
my baby" sobbed the lady.
Are you my own mothers" ques-
toned Mary Nanny and Pappy
were watching with a look of sad
ness in their eyes.
Yes, dear, am your mother. Oh!
How l have lOnged to see you again.
You are such big girl now. How
would you like to come and live
with me?" questioned the lady.
please don't take me away. l love
my Nanny and Pappy. Please
don't take me away from them,
pleaded Mary.
81 have thought it all over of
course, and have decided to let
Mary decide for yourself who she
wants to live with; can readily see
she prefers you. l don't blame her,
1 have never been around her and
she naturally loves you more than
me. l guess if you want to keep her
it's the best way" The lady gather
ed Mary up in her pretty white
arms. She crushed her to her breast /
as if she had suddenly regained a
long lost gem.
my baby" she repeated over and
over again. Mary did not cry. She
felt sorry for her new mother but !
she couldn't cry. So her mother left |
her with promises to come AMI see
ler often and bring her pretty
.hings to wear.
Soon the news spread about the
town. Mary was no longer sadfaced
and ashamed to play with the other
girls. She had her old Nanny and
oappy, a new mother, friends at
ast-and she was happy.