to Mrs. Crump,
"this is my other mother, who has always taken such good care of me and
loved me so well."

"Mrs. Crump," said Mrs. Clifton, "how can I ever thank you for your care
of my child?"

My child!

It was hard for Mrs. Crump to hear another speak of Ida in this way.

"I have tried to do my duty by her," she said, simply; "I love her so
much."

"Yes," said the cooper, clearing his throat, and speaking a little
huskily, "we all love her as if she was our own. She has been so long
with us that we have come to think of her as our own, and--and it won't
be easy at first to give her up."

"My friend," said Mrs. Clifton, "think not that I shall ever ask you to
make that sacrifice. I shall always think of Ida as only a little less
yours than mine."

"But you live in Philadelphia. We shall lose sight of her."

"Not unless you refuse to come to Philadelphia, too."

"I am not sure whether I could find work there."

"That shall be my care. I have another inducement. God has bestowed upon
me a large share of this world's goods. I am thankful for it, since
it will enable me in some slight way to express my sense of your great
services to Ida. I own a neat brick house in a quiet street, which you
will find more comfortable than this. Just before I left Philadelphia my
lawyer drew up a deed of gift, conveying the house to you. It is Ida's
gift, not mine. Ida, give this to Mr. Crump."

The child took the parchment, and handed it to the cooper, who was
bewildered by his sudden good fortune.

"This for me?" he said.

"It is the first installment of my debt of gratitude; it shall not be
the last," said Mrs. Clifton.

"How shall I thank you, madam?" said the cooper. "To a poor man this is,
indeed, an acceptable gift."

"By accepting it," said Mrs. Clifton. "Let me add, for I know it
will enhance the value of the gift in your eyes, that it is only five
minutes' walk from my own house, and Ida will come and see you every
day."

"Yes, mamma," said Ida; "I couldn't be happy away from father and mother
and Jack, and Aunt Rachel."

"You must introduce me to your Aunt Rachel," said Mrs. Clifton, with a
grace all her own.

Ida did so.

"I am glad to make your acquaintance, Miss Rachel," said Mrs. Clifton.
"I need not say that I shall be glad to see you, as well as Mr. and Mrs.
Crump, at my house very frequently."

"I'm much obleeged to you," said Aunt Rachel; "but I don't think I shall
live long to go anywhere.