Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-07-06
$ IOWA CITY, WEDNESDAY. JULY g 1853



afe with friends, aud fed to avoid a compul.
ory marriage.
After journey Of several weeks the young
couple srrived at ST. Louis Notwithstanding
he pains taken to conceal their movements,
IN few months the father learned that his
laughter was in the western country. and
wrote to her that ker mother heart broken At
her loss, had fallen into i'll health. Sincerely
his own unfeeling conduct. he en-
treated her to return in the spring, at which
lime he would send for her. having no suspi-
cion that she was married. This letter was
received by Mrs. LIS short time previous
10 the birth o. an infant, who was no other
than the founding afote mentioned. She re-
solved to set off on her journey as soon as her
strength permitted.
"A journey in the spring. at that period, from
ST. Louis to Pittsburg, was both difficult and
dangerous. Nj Its- tefssa9a
he though IL best to feavsF their child, urging
that the parents Of his wife would be more
readily conciliated by her returning apparent.
~ as she had lift them, explaining all when
she could choose favorable time for SO doing,
The young mother could not bear the thought
Of parting with her little one; but feeling that
she could never forgive herself should her
mother die before she could return to receive
her forgiveness and blessing. it appeared her
duty to sacrifice her own feelings. and she at
once consented. Then occurred the question.
with whom could the precious babe be trvstedi
The inhabitants OF the place were mostly
French, and they knew no trustworthy person
who could be prevailed on to take charge Of il
A young man, Mr.. Is only intimate
friend was acquainted with Mr.. Mrs. May and
suggested that they would be certain to trea
the child with all the tenderness its own pa
rents could lavish on it, ii their humanit,
were appealed to in its behalf as a deserted
founding He engaged to deposit the infant
with all due circumstances Of mystery, a
their door, and report the manner of its recep
ton; also, to look after it faithfully in the ab
sence Of its parents.
The mother consented to the romanti,
scheme, and packing the basket with as many
clothes as it would hold-placing in the bot
tom purse full Of money-she set out wit
her husband and his friend, in the night. 70
Mays house. Within short distance Of thi
they stopped and with fore5oding anguish
they both kissed the baby : smooth cheek, an
resigned il to their friend, endeavoring to cor
sole themselves with belief that year Q
the farthest would restore their darling to thei
arms. In few days their friend called .
Mr. MAY, saw how we'll the child was doing
heard the foster mother say she loved an,
would cherish it as her own and made satia
factory report to its anxious parents.
Mr.. and Mrs. L---inmediately set o& 70
the fsase separating n fsw day . -hssoreahA
rival at the house of the wife's father. 81
was ioyfully welcomed, and Mr.. Lsou
after received letter inviting him - ioi
her.
1t was now about the commencement Of Il
war with Great Britain. and it was known IA
Indians would be troublesome on the frontie
it was arranged that Mr.. L-Should 60 in
mediately to the Wsst and bring the child
its mother. He rs6lkta St. Louis at a tin
when general panic On account Of the Ind
ans had scattered the Inhabitants. His frien
had joined the rangers, and could nowhere
found Mr. May'e fanily had also dsappearc
the neighbors had taken refuge in forts. an
the most dilligent inquiries failed in p-ocr rim
the desired information. After some narro
escapes from the Indians, he was obliged
abandon the search, and return, disappolnte
and dispirited to his unhappy wife. At Il
end of the war, both set out for the west, al
landed at Shawneetown. From this point the
travelled northward through Illinois. makir
dilligent inquiries in every direction; for Il
hopes of finding the lost one was not yet e
tlnct in the mothers breast.
} After travelling through the country f
nearly year, they discovered May resden
and had the happiness of embracing the chi
whom separation had the more endeared
them She was even more beautiful than Il
promise Of her infancy, and very happy wi
, her kind foster parents, who had been prese
we'd and prospered through all the dangers al
: troubles by which they had been surounde
Mr.. May was one of the most thriving farme
) Of Michigan. THIS little romantic episode
} his history may not be known to his neighbc
for he was never very communicative-bu
! was the ground Of a lasting friendship betwe
7 his family and that Of the little adopted OF
both acknowledging from it profitable less
! in life.
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