Year: 1874

Yes, to be sure the dog is old and not particularly good-looking, and he's blind of an eye, too. Come here, Ponto You can see that his career is nearly ended; but while he does live he shall have a soft bed and warm place by the freside. bought the dog of 8 family up in the White Mountains, They kept boarding house there, and that's the way came to know Ponto.

 Ponto was 8 great favorite of Baby's. 1 shall call her Baby to the end of my life. Baby was my little niece, the only one I ever had. If you'll step this way I'll show you her picture.

 You like it2 I thought you would. Why, sir, that painting cost almost as much as this old house is worth. l carried a photograph all the way to New York to have it painted in that style by one of the best artists in the country, and I wouldn't take ten thousand dollars for the picture.1

 l see you think her a pretty child, and in some wonderful way the artist, who saw how my heart was set upon it, put the lightning up in her face, which was her greatest beauty. Mouth, eyes, every feature spoke before she opened her lips such countenance is very rare, at least, Tn my experience.

 Why, sir, that child won all hearts. She wasn't much over two years when we took our first summer trip to the mountains, and I never shall forget how her little face seemed to thrill everybody as she would suddenly start up in her seat in the cars-the blue eyes, rosy cheeks and exquisitely white brow and golden curls framed by a snowy border-and cry out with that wonderful Ii ght in her eyes

 70, Uncle Bob, aOo,s't we have fun in the mountains ?"

 It was just so after we arrived at our destination. Baby became the pet, al- most at once, of men and women, who declared that they had always d1sliked children up to the time of her arrival.

 To see her come down in the morn ing, fresh from her bath, dressed like a little fairy, her curls hanging in breezy spirals, her lips and cheeks all dimples, was a picture to gladden. the sight. And her grave good morning to all the company, naming each by name, or if some one appeared inattentive, her re- buking-

 "Don't you heor Baby ?" she'd say. "Dood morning, MT. Carter," made everybody laugh and long to hug her.

 As said before, she and Ponto were the jolliest friends. The greet black creature frolicked with her like a kit ten. The moment he saw her, he would rouse himself from his easiest posture, or leave his warmest admirer.

 One day we made preparations to go up the mountain, and nearly all the party at our hotel went, except Baby and her mother. They were left snug 1y sleeping in their nests, for it was long before daybreak that the rest of us started. Harry, Baby's father, once or twice made up his mind not to go. He remembered the pleading face of the little one the night before, when the excursion had been planned, and her oft-repeated question

 (" Won't papa take Baby to tle noun tain :? She wants to see the tic toe house, too."

 But the rest of us overruled his re- luctance. Harry was such good com pany, we felt as if we should leave the life of the party behind us if he re- mained at home.

 "1've been there, you see, and per- haps that's the reason don't care so much about it," he said, as he seated himself at last; "but I suppose it would be all right if I could take the little one and her mother along"

 We had glorious day, the finest one of the season, it was said. All the cares of life fell away from our shoulders, and we were like party of children let loose from school. shouting. runninp. picking berries, starting the echoes, looking from dizzy heights, wondering at the sublimity of the heavens and the earth, when suddenly Harry turned toward me.

 ''I feel i npressed that ought to go home," he said.

 Of course we laughed at him, but his manner grew so distrait and unnatural, that after little while we hastened our departure, and started for our