“When he came in she told of the box and its supposed contents, and he, also full of grief, set to work to open it. The lid was at length torn off, and great was the surprise and relief of both to come upon the fresh green leaves and berries beneath them.
“But the door-bell rang again, and there stood Hannah with her babe in her arms alive and well.
“Joyful was the welcome given to both; they were taken into the parlor, Hannah shown the box, which was still standing, and told the story.
“After a while the baby was allowed to trot about at his own sweet will, while the older people were taken up with each other (a cradle had been brought down to the parlor to lay the baby corpse in before the box was opened, and there it stood covered with a spread or something white), so when the little chap was left unnoticed, he got at the box of berries, carried some to the cradle and threw them in on the dainty white spread.”
The little girls had been listening to their father’s story with as much interest as if they had never heard it before, though doubtless it was quite familiar to them.
“Wasn’t it funny?” asked one of them with a merry laugh, as he finished.
But just then a boy came running, calling out, “Pap, you’re wanted now. Please come right away, mother says,” and with a pleasant “Good-by, ladies,” the father rose, took Sally in his arms and went, the rest of the children following.
THE old soldier and his children had hardly left the vicinity of our young friends when Calhoun came to them with the glad news that Croly had so far recovered as to be able to speak naturally and recognize his friends, that his parents had been told of his danger and his rescue, and were now with him, weeping over his sufferings, rejoicing that he had been spared to them, and full of gratitude to Dr. Conly for his long-continued and untiring efforts for his resuscitation.
“I am proud of my brother and don’t believe there is a better physician in the United States,” concluded Calhoun, his eyes shining. “But, ladies and little folks, I just remember that Cousin Elsie charged me to tell you that dinner will be on the table in about ten or fifteen minutes.”
“Oh, that’s good news, Cousin Cal!” exclaimed Rosie, “for I’m pow’ful hungry, as the darkies say. There’s nothing like sea-air to give one an appetite.” And with that they all started for the house.