Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-08-24

cadet ana arose desperately from my
seat, determined to appeal to some lady
or woman for assistance. As / passed
through the car, some of the ladieHkgoke
into senseess litter again, tn 1er
ones looked out of the windows, a Me
men eyed me with knowing sort pr,
that, had not my arms been ocs
there would have been hit straigH( t
from the shoulder. One moiherly D
ing person whom approached hopir
transfixed me with stony, virtuous sort
of glare, that made me shake in my shoes
as if had committed the objectionable
offence. gaveup in despair, and was
about to return to my seat when a gen.
tleman at the extreme end of car beck.
oned me forward. 1t was little family |
party, the gentleman, his wife and COL
ored girl with them, who held their babe
in her arms The gentleman and his wife
were both young, and evidently South
erners.
eve heard about this baby from tae
conductor" said the gentleman, as | came
near. My wife has been fdgeting. ev-
er since it began to cry. Can We do
anything for you"
! The lady leaned past him. Will
you let me look at your baby, sir, mo-
p she asked in it seemed to me
then, the sweetest tones I had ever
heard. She held out her arms, and I
laid the babe in them. y I
"Such young caild--a and SO pretty,
tool How it cries + What is the mat
4 ter with its"
e ahsasfsz anhssaassszaaa = -. 60 is
ngs nSs ieso1sg6t since that woman got in this'
morning. don't know what to do with it. 2
"Poor little love p exclaimed the lady,
|, "what shamei no wonder it cries"
II She hesitated, glancing at her own
babe in the servants arms, at her hus-
: band, then blushing like rose, the
t sweet mother laid my babe on her bo-
som beneath her shawl, and hushed its
J cries as if it had been her own-of her
/ very flesh and bio od.
{ Her husband smiled, and leaned for
t ward as if to protect her from the gsaz
[ of others, made room for me on the seal
!. with their nurse. I explained the aff4il
8 to him, told him my name, and founc
that my family was not unipnown to him
3 As we talked, Isaw that his wife listen
ing, examined the dress Of the child OF
r her lap, felt its texture, and finally un
clasped some chains that held up it
little sleeves A small miniature wa
t set in the clasp of each one. "She look
It ed at them, then she said, "I am con
Y viced, sir, that the woman who abandon
e ed this child in your care is not it's mo
p ther. In the first place, another coul'
do no such thing; then this babe's cloth
ing is of the most exquisite make AMI
d quality, and in these sleeve chains ar
d two miniatures. See one gentleman
n with epauletts, the other beautiful wo
o man, evidently lady. Depend upon ii
IF the child is stolen one, or came into he
n hands by some unfair means. What Cal
II be done?"
: "Do not be troubled, madam, abeu
3 the fate of this child. After the posi-
bility or probability you have suggested
+ shall take it to my mother, and adver
r. tise the case. Ifits parents are found,
z shall be glad, and if not, | think m
/ mother will care for the rest. Only"
o added, 81 wish the meeting were safel
= over"
d The lady's eyes sparkled, with tears
t, "I can't tell you," she. said, how whs
lQ you nave uOHc, anu arc uolnS oSSino
At me, but think you are too noble t
sr dread anything. l will answer for th
S. mother that has such a son p
"Softly, softly, if you please" expos
q tulated her laughing usband; "don
rs be quite obvious Of the fact that exist
is She turned to him with look th.
ID must have silenced the veriest grumbl'
as in the world. a
D. We reached Boston, took carriage t
IS gether, and only at the hotel entrance d
my new friends bid me adieu. "GC
of bless you'll" said the beautiful, noble W,
C. man, as she gave me back my baby.
IS. should have knelt and kissed the hand
pt such princess, but my arms and We
n then so awkward at baby tending, tn
g nothing else seemed a possible accoI
wv plishment at one and the same time. II
N, clerk glanced suspiciously at me and n
or burden.