Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-07-13

A i
their movements, in few months the ta-
ther learned that his daughter was in the
western country. and wrote to her that her
mother, almost heart-broken at her loss,
had fallen into ill health. Sincerely regret.
ting his own unfeeling conduct, he entreat-
ed her to return in the spring, at which
time he would send for her, having no sus-
picion that she was married. This letter
was received by Mrs. la short time
previous to the birth of an infant who was
no other than the founding aforementioned.
She resolved to set off on her homeward
Journey as soon as her strength permitted.
A Journey in the spring, at that period from
st. Louis to Plttsburg, was both difficult
and dangerous; Mr.. L-expected to re-
turn, and he thought i! best to leave their
child, urging that the parents of bis wife
would be more readily conciliated by her
returning apparently as she had left them;
explaining all when she could choose ia
vourable time for so doing. The young
mother could not bear the thought Of part
ing with her little one but feeling that she
could never forgive herself should her mo-
lther die before she could return to receive
her forgiveness and blessing, it appeared
Eher duty to sacrifice her own feelings, and
she at last consented.
Then occurred the queston-with whom
could the precious babe be trusted; The in
habitants of the place were mostly French,
and they knew no trustworthy person who
could be prevailed on to take charge of 1t.
A, Young man, Mr.. LIS only intimate
friend, was acquainted with Mr.. and Mrs.
May, and suggested that they would be
certain to treat the child with all the ten
derness its own parents could lavish on it,
] if their humanity were appealed to in its
behalf as deserted foundling. He engag.
| ed to deposlte the infant, with all due cir.
cumstances of mystery, at their door, and
report the manner of its reception; also to
look after it faithfully in the absence of its
Iparents.
4 The mother consented to the romantic
scheme, and, packing the basket with as
many clothes as it would hold-placing IN
the bottom purse full of money-she set
out with her husband and his friend, in the
night, for Mays house. Within short
distance of this they stopped, and with FORE
boding anguish, both kissed the babes
smooth cheek, and resigned it to their friend,
endeavoring to console themselves with the
belief that year at the furthest would re-
store their darling to their arms. In few
days their friend called on Mr.. May, saw
how we'll the child was doing, heard the
foster-mother say she loved and would
cherish it as her own, and made satisfac-
tory report to it's anxious parents.
Mr.. and Mrs. Immediately set off
for the East, separating few days before
their arrival at the house of the wife's fa-
ther. She was joyfully welcomed, and Mr..
L-soon after received letter inviting
him to join her.
1t was now about the commencement Of
the war with Great Britain, and as it was
known the Indians would be troublesome
on the frontier, it was arranged that Mr.. L
should go Immediately to the West,
and bring the child to Its mother He
reached St. louis at time when general
panic on account of the Indians had scat
tered the inhabitants. His friend had join
ed the rangers, and could nowhere be found
Mr.. Nays family had also disappeared;
the neighbors had taken refuge in forts;
and the most diligent inquiries failed IN pro-
curing the desired information. After some
narrow escapes from the Indians, he was
obliged to abandon the search and return,
disappointed and dispirited, to his unhappy
wife. AT the end of the war, both set out
for the West, and landed at Shawneetown.
From this point they travelled northward
through Illinois, making diigent inquiries
in every direction: for the hope of finding
the lost one was not yet extinct in the mo-
ther's breast.
After travelling through the country for
nearly year, they discovered Mays resi-
dence, and had the happiness Of embracing
the child whom separation had the more
endeared to them. She was even more
beautiful than the promise of he: infancy.
and very happy with her kind foster-pa.
rents, who had been preserved and prosper
ed through all the troubles and dangers by
which they had beer surrounded. MIR.
MAY was one of the most thriving farmers
of Michigan. This little romantic episode
in his history may not be known to his
neighbors-for he was never very coi1mt'
nicative-but it was the ground Of a lasting
friendship between his family and that of
the little adopted one both acknowledged
from it profitable lesson in life.
The Jews
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