St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1860-05-24

is stolen one, or came into her hands by
some unfair means. What can be done p
"Do not be troubled, madam, about the
fate of the child. After the possibility or
probability you have suggested, I shall
not leave it in Boston. l will take it to
my mother, and advertise the case. If its
parents are found I shall be glad and if
not, think my mother will care for the
rest. Only" I added, ~ wish the meet
ing were safely over"
The lady's eyes sparklcd through tears
II can't tell you," she said, chow what
3ou have done, and are doing seems to me,
but I think you too noble to dread any,
thing. I will answer for the mother that
has such son!'
"Softly, softly, if you please" expcstu-
lated her laughing husband; ''don't be
quite obllv,ous of the fact that I exist. -
She turned to him with look that must
have silcnced the vericst grumbler in the
| world.
We reached Boston, took a carriage to-
gether, and only at the hotel entrance die
my new friends bid me adieu. "God bless
you!' said the beautiful, noble woman, as
she gave me back my baby. should have
knelt and kissed the hand Of such prin-
cess, but my arms and l were then SO awk-
ward at baby tending that nothing else
seemed possible accomplishment at one
and the same time.
The clerk glanced suspiciously at me
and my burden.
"We are all full, Sir. Not room to be
had"
sent for the proprietor, and again my
name vouched for NE. What is it to have
a family in the land! "But where in the
world, Mr.. Edward,'' he demanded, "did
you get that child ?" I told the story
lie shook his head, but said nothing.
I sent for chambermaid to come to my
room. l begged Of her to take the child and
care for it during the night. At first she
would hear to nothing. I put my hand in
my pocket. gave her ridiculously large
bribe, but [ was young and green.
She took the child.
"But sure an ye're not the young GIN
tleman that I'D be afther lavlng yc're baby?
Holy Vargin my character I'D be ruined
! intire]y- intirelyy' I assured her of the
rectitude Of my intentions, and sent her off,
but she was at my door in the morning
before I had left my bed, and nothing
would induce her to keep her charge an
other instant
/ took the stage for my country home.
The driver recognized the lad he had driv-
ell SO often over the same road.
elbow you're grown, to be sure, Mr.. Ed.
ward! Your folks won't know you, I'm
thinking, specially with that baby in your
arms. Seems to me your getting to be a
family man leetze to early"
laughed and took my scat. But as we
began to near my home I grew terribly
nervous and cowardly. The house stood
back some distance from the road, and as
walked up from the gate, saw the whole
family gathered on the piazza to welcome
me. I think | should rather have walked
mp to the cannon's mouth. My sister
started down the steps to meet me, then
stopped. / stepped up on the piazza
My mother, pale as death, sunk in her
chair: My pretty cousin, Ella; on whom
l had always, been sweet in. a sneakins
sort of way, darted an annihilating glance
at me, and ran to support my mother --
My father advanced.
"What do you dare to bring here, you
shameless young rascal? Is this place
-" He broke down, 50 angry that ut
terance was absolutely impossible. AT
any other time should have shouted with
laughter at the ridiculous spectacle he pre-
sented; now fastened to tell my story.
In few moments my mothers own dear
arms were around me, my sister and cous-
in we've contesting peuri for the posses
sion of my baby, and my father recovered
from his rage sufficiently to welcome his
only son, though I did hear him grow]
through his white beard, "confounded
spooney!'
l advertised far and wide to no purpose.
But my baby grew so in the affections Of
all the household that had no other steps
to take.
We named her Perdida, and 1 left her
with my mother. When l returned year
after year I fonnd her each time grown
healthier and prettier, and she each time
manifested an affection for me charmingly
legltimate-for was she not "1iy Ba1y p
As such cherished her,
She was six years old when I left West
Point for active service. After that. I led
a wandering and adventurous life for years
"by field and by food.'
my Baby wrote me, at first often
Her first letters were curious specimens
half written, half printed, and sometimes
her meaning eked out by rude drawings.
In those days she was charmingly person
al. ~ do SO and so think 80 and So
Ilove SO and so." But years changed her
calgraphy, and alas !! the feeling in her
letters. Now, in her charming girlish
characters stood, "Kour Mo her does 80
and so;;" or, "lour sister thinks and
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