Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-02-26
G5e family Circle.
THE FOUNDING.
BY JOHN RAwLIN, POLICEMAN.

THE FOUNDING.
BY JOHN RAwIN, POLICEMAN.
AS / was passing up Summer Street
one night from Sea Street, where | had
been called to perform some extra duty,
I was startled by the cry of child. The
sound proceeded from the door steps OF an
elegant residence, and on closer examina-
ton found basket, in which the little
stranger was securely and Comfortably
nestled.
OF course the child had been left on
the steps for the benefit of the inmates OF
the house, and | had not the impudence
to deprive them Of the treasure in store
for them, without their consent and CO.
operation; so | rang the bell violently
until reused them from their slumbers.
| In the meantime the baby, satisfied, ap-
parently, that he had found friend In me.
ceased CRYING, probably TO wait the result
iof my application. At last the gentleman
who resided in. the house, came to the
door. #S &81N YEA
Well, sir, what is wanting?" he in
CURED in not very pleasant tones.
| did not blame him much for being
crusty about it; for, if there is anything
in this world of trial and yexation that
amovs me, it is being tumbled out-of my
warm bed in the middle of the night.
''You have got customer here, re
Piled, to his ungracious interrogatory.
g What?"
Here is basket full Of babies left at
your door,"I answered, a little disposed
to be facetous, Notwithstanding the for
bidding mood Of the gentleman.
"a basket full ofbabies! he exclaimed
with horror.
Yes, sir; shall | bring them into the
house?" -
Gracious! Now many arc there?"
"WeH, | haven't discovered but one
vet; but one that appears to be basket
full" m
An enemy hath done this" the gen.
tleman added, quoting Scripture.
Perhaps not" | suggested, Prob
ably some one, knowing you to be kind
hearted person, has chosen you tor the
guardian of the child"
Bring it in, and we will look into the
matter"
carried the basket into the room, and
we proceeded to examine the contents
1t was a fat, chubby babe, and as we rails
ed the Quilt that covered it, the little fel
:, low looked up and smiled as sweetly as
though he had been in his own house.
There was something peculiar in the
construction of the basket, which attract
ed my attention 1t was new. and had
seen some of the same pattern at store
in Washington Street that day; and il
occurred to me that might find out the
parents of the child by means of this bas
ket.
Mr.. G., reused his family, and in
little while the bantum was as popular
as though he had been turned out of office
for being an abolitionist. TWAS not de
cided what should be done with the child
and took my leave. promising to return
the next day.
In the morning I went to the store
where [ had seen the baskets for sale, and
saw several which were the exact coun
terpart of the zone in which the founding
had been placed. In answer to my in
Iquiries, the clerk told me they had re.
ceived them only the day before; that
they were entirely new in pattern, and he
was sure no other establishment had them
for sale.
Have you sold any ?"
ayes; we sold two Yesterday"
" Do you know to whom you sold
them ?"
!" One was sent to Bovlston Street, and
the other to No., Kington Street" re-
piled he, referring to his order book.
Who bought the last one?"
A young woman who gave her name
as Mrs. Cottington."
[ took down the address, and FASTENED
to examine the locality indicated. 1t was
in that part Of Kingston Street between
the Uuited States Hotel and Essex Street
On the door was The name of Redmond.
esd applied at the grocery store at the
corner of Beach and Kingston Streets to
make inquiries. The house was occupied
byea widow woman, who sometimes took
boarders. A child had recently been born
there, for the grocer had sold them arti
Giles which are required at such seasons
ands he believed a lady, whose husband
had gone to Europe, was stopping there
Rather slim basis, but | ventured to
call upon Mrs. Cottington, and was re
ceived by her in the parlor She seemed
to be astonished and embarrassed by my
visit; and Lconfess felt rather cheaT
myself when | reflected upon the nature
of my Grand.
Mrs. Cottington ~ L enquired.
Yes, sir" 8
" called to see you in relation to your
child" 6ps
She started, turned red and then pale
and then staggered to the sofa for sup
port. | waited moment for her to re
cover, for had already decided the case
against her, and then renewed the attack
The child is doing well now, but
dare say it will miss its mother before the
day is over" | continued.
Who in the world told you aboutit?'
+" All right" said to myself. Yor
left it in Summer Street, at very goo(
place. But have called to inquire into
the reasons Of your abandoning the help
less innocent"
She burst into tears, and my heart wa;
moved.
Who are you; sir?D sobbed she; and