Your ShelfYour Projects

The Home Circle

8%

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 29, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 41.

Read the full edition

The Home Circle.

By Ada Carleton

SELLING THE BABY.

BENEATH a shady elm tree Two little brown-haired boys Were complaining to each other That they couldn't make a noise. "And it's all that horrid baby," Cried Johnny, looking glum; "She makes an awful bother; I 'most wish she hadn't come.
"If a boy runs through the kitchen, Still as any mouse can creep, Nora says: 'Now do be aisy, For the baby's gone to sleep!' And when, just now, I asked mamma To fix my new straw cap, She said she really couldn't Till the baby took her nap!"
"I've been thinking we might sell her"— Fred thrust back his curly hair; "Mamma calls her 'Little Trouble,' So I don't believe she'd care. We will take her down to Johnson's: He keeps candy at his store; And I wouldn't wonder, truly, If she'd bring a pound or more;
"For he asked me if I'd sell her When she first came; but, you see, Then I didn't know she'd bother, So I told him, 'No, sir-ree!' He may have her now, and welcome; I don't want her any more. Get the carriage 'round here, Johnny, And I'll fetch her to the door."
To the cool, green-curtained bedroom Freddy stole, with noiseless feet, Where mamma had left her baby Fast asleep, serene and sweet. Soft he bore her to the carriage, All unknowing, little bird! While of these two young kidnappers Not a sound had mamma heard.
Down the street the carriage trundled; Soundly still the baby slept; Over two sun-browned boy-faces Little sober shadows crept. They began to love the wee one. "Say," said Johnny, "don't you think He will give, for such a baby, Twenty pounds as quick as wink?"
"I'd say fifty," Fred responded, With his brown eyes downward cast. "Here's the store; it doesn't seem's though We had come so awful fast!" Through the door they pushed the carriage: "Mister Johnson, we thought maybe You would—wouldn't—would you—would you— Would you like to buy a baby?"
Merchant Johnson's eyes were twinkling; "Well, I would; just set your price. Will you take your pay in candy? I have some that's very nice. But, before we bind the bargain, I would like to see the child!" Johnny lifted up the afghan; Baby woke, and cooed, and smiled.
"It's a trade!" cried Merchant Johnson. "How much candy for the prize?" Fred and Johnny looked at baby, Then into each other's eyes. All forgotten was the bother In the light of baby's smile; And they wondered if mamma had Missed her daughter all the while.
"Candy's sweet, but baby's sweeter," Spoke up sturdy little Fred; "'Cause she is our own and onliest Darling sister," Johnny said, "So I guess we'd better keep her, But if we should ask Him—maybe When He knows you'd like to have one, God will send you down a baby!"
Merchant Johnson laughed, and kindly Ran their small hands o'er with sweet, Ere they wheeled the baby homeward, Back along the quiet street; And mamma (who had not missed them) Smiled to hear the little tale, How they went to sell the baby, How they didn't make the sale. —Ada Carleton.