A "FATHER" AND "MOTHER" FOR THE "HOME."
About six weeks after this, the old Hall at Daisy Lane was ready for
opening as a "Home" for waifs and strays. "Cobbler" Horn had visited Daisy
Lane, from time to time, and he had also taken his sister and his young
secretary to see the village and the old Hall. He had been much pleased
with the progress of the improvements, and had marked with satisfaction
the transformation which, in pursuance of his orders, was being effected
in the Hall. It was clear that Mr. Gray was not only a most capable agent,
but also a man after his employer's own heart; and it was evident that
Messrs. Tongs and Ball had assisted the agent in every possible way.
The old Hall seemed likely to become an ideal Children's Home. The
arrangements were most complete. A staff of capable nurses, and a bevy of
maid-servants, had been engaged; to whom were added a porter and two boys,
together with a head gardener and three assistants, to make, and keep,
beautiful the spacious grounds.
A number of children had already been selected as inmates of the "Home."
Setting aside the majority of the appeals, which had been many, from
relatives who had children left on their hands by deceased parents,
"Cobbler" Horn had adhered to his original purpose of receiving chiefly
stray children--little ones with no friends, and without homes. With the
aid of his lawyers, and of Mr. Durnford, he had much communication with
workhouse and parish authorities, and even with the police; and, as the
opening day of the "Home" drew near, he had secured, as the nucleus of his
little family, some dozen tiny outcasts, consisting of six or seven boys,
and about as many girls.
It now remained that a "father" and "mother" should be found. On this
subject "the Golden Shoemaker" had talked much with his minister. He
shrank from the thought of advertising his need. He was afraid of bringing
upon himself an avalanche of mercenary applications. His idea was to fix
upon some excellent Christian man and woman who might be induced to accept
the post as a sacred and delightful duty. They must be persons who loved
children, and who were not in search of a living; and it would be none the
worse if it were necessary for them to make what would be considered a
sacrifice, in order to accept the post.
"Cobbler" Horn looked around. He had no acquaintances in whom it seemed
likely that his ideal would be realized. He mentioned his views to his
lawyers, and they smiled in their indulgent way. Messrs. Tongs and Ball
had already learnt to respect their eccentric client. But it was difficult
for their legal minds to regard the question of the appointment of a
master and matron to the "Home" exactly in the light in which it presented
itself to "Cobbler" Horn. He spoke of his cherished desire to Mr.
Durnford.
"If I get the right man and woman, you know, sir, I shall be willing to
pay them almost any amount of money. But I don't want them to know this
beforehand. I must have a _father_ and _mother_ for my little family. It
would be just as well," he added in faltering tones, "if they had lost a
little one of their own. And I should like them to be some good Christian
man and his wife, who would undertake the work without asking about salary
at all, and would leave it to me to make that all right. Do you think they
would trust me so far, Mr. Durnford?"
Mr. Durnford smiled in his shrewd way.
"If they knew you, Mr. Horn, they would rather trust you in the matter
than suggest an amount themselves."
"No doubt," responded "the Golden Shoemaker," with a smile. "But now, Mr.
Durnford," he persisted for the twentieth time, "do you know of such a
couple as I want?"
They were in the minister's study. Mr. Durnford sat musing, with his arms
resting upon his knees, and his hands together at the finger-tips.
Suddenly he looked up.
"You want a couple who have lost a child, Mr. Horn? I can tell you of some
good people who have found one."
"Cobbler" Horn gave a slight start. "Found a child! What child?" Such were
the thoughts which darted, like lightning, through his brain. Then he
smiled sadly to himself. Of course what he had imagined, for an instant,
could not be.
"Well" he said calmly, "who are they? Let me hear!"
For one moment only, Mr. Durnford hesitated to reply.
"You will, perhaps, be startled, Mr. Horn, but must not misunderstand me,
if I say that they are the excellent friends who have been as father and
mother to your secretary, Miss Owen."
"Cobbler" Horn was indeed startled. His thoughts had not turned in the
direction indicated by the minister's suggestion--that was all. But he was
not displeased.
"Ah!" he exclaimed. "Well, if they are anything like my little secretary,
they will do."
"Mr. and Mrs. Burton do not know that I have any thought of suggesting
them to you, Mr. Horn. Nor have I the least idea whether or not they would
accept the post. Mr. Burton holds a good position on the railway, in
Birmingham, which I know he has no present intention of relinquishing. But
there is not another couple of my acquaintance who would be likely to
meet your wishes as well as these good friends of mine. You know, of
course, that Miss Owen was found and rescued by them, when she was quite
a little thing?"
"Yes," was the thoughtful reply; "and you really think they are the kind
of persons I want?"
"I do, indeed."
"Well, well! But might I ask them, do you think?"
"Perhaps," said Mr. Durnford, "it would be as well to mention it to Miss
Owen first."
"Might I do that, think you?"
"By all means!"
"Then I will."
He spoke to his secretary that very day. Miss Owen was delighted with the
proposal, and approved of it with all her heart. She hoped Mr. and Mrs.
Burton would consent, and felt almost sure that they would. After that the
minister agreed to convey the request of "the Golden Shoemaker" to his
good friends. For this purpose, he made a journey to Birmingham, and, on
the evening of his return, called on "Cobbler" Horn.
"Well?" enquired the latter eagerly, almost before the minister had taken
his seat.
"Our friends are favourably disposed," replied Mr. Durnford; "but they
would like to have a personal interview first."
"By all means. When can they see me? And where?"
"Well, it would be a great convenience to Mr. Burton if you would go
there. He cannot very well get away. But he could arrange to meet you at
his own house."
Acting upon this suggestion, "Cobbler" Horn paid a visit to Birmingham,
the outcome of which was the engagement of Mr. and Mrs. Burton as "father"
and "mother" of the "home."