Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-09-08

in the house, and worked around, assisting
the house about two years, Margaret became
n religious enthusiast, and became rigorous
attendant and devoee in the Catholic
Church. She became a monomanac, and
evincing desire for her child's spiritual wei
fare, it being then only four years old, claimed
that she must take it away, and place it in a
Catholic Orphan Asylum Being remon-
slrated with she became crazed and totally
insane, so much so that she was taken to the
L'natic Asylum on Blackwell's Island.
There she remained fourteen months, and
was released two weeks ago Save the pro-
nolnced, the dominant idea was uppcrmost
IN her mind, and upon being let out once
more, to enjoy free air and liberty, she pro-
ceeded to the Lecklors and demanded her
child Believing the woman unfit to take
care of the little Teresa, Mr.. Leckler refused
10 give her up Margaret then came into the
Supreme Court and petiioning Judge Suth.
erland, obtained writ Of ha5e0s corDus.
directing Mr. Lceklcr to produce the little
/ Teresa in court and show cause why he de
tanned her. The writ was made returnable
today, and this afternoon brought all the
| parties in court. Seldom has such contrast
been seen. In the body of the room rat Mrs.
Leckler, daughter and son, neatly hut richly
attircd, with the little Teresa with them. The
little one played mcrily round with IL large
doll dressed iNsieiully; her graceful figure
| and ulpatiIl 4. T..
usual musty atmosphere in the Courts Grave
lawyers smiled as the little one passed them;
abandoned women brought up to be dis
charged from the workhOuse, felt their faces
brighten as they caught the glance of the
enid which told them what they once were
The Court officers forgot to call order, as
Teresa laughed aloud in the midst of sol
emn argument, and all felt interested in the
fate of the little one who seemed so out of
plaee-in that place
some half dozen benches below sat the
mother; her attire worn and dirty, her eyes
Smken, her once black hair slightly threaded
with silver, her face sullen, her lips com
pressed, her hand clinched convulsycly she
looked the impersonation of the bigoted de-
voice
The counsel called up the suit, and Mr..
Leckler madea return, setting up that he had
the child in Count, and stating the circum-
stances under which it came into his posses
sion
The Judge examined Margaret, who stated
that she had no complaint to make of Mr..
Lecklcr, hut regarded ii as a religious duty to
remove il from Protestant influence and
place it in catholic institution, where its
religious culture would he taken care Of
MIR. Leekler stated that fearing this ques-
tion might he raised some time, he had never
taken the child to his place of worship, hut
had sent il with the Catholic servants of his
house To the Church hcquented by them.
Judge Sutherland said in these cases the
Court had To he controlled by what was hest
for the child in this world; while the question
cf religious education was an important one,
it could hardly he right to make it enter into
the case of II child 50 young. appeared to
bc well taken care of; the mother admitted
she could not take care of it; the child afiec-
tions were with the Leckler family, and con
lrolled by an earnest desire 10 care for this
child, especially of the class it belonged, he
should dismiss the writ, with the proviso that
the mother should see it at all reasonable
times.
The order was 50 entered and the parties
leil the Court, the little one kissing her hands
10 all in the Court, not one of whom but felt
reioiccd Al the result which secured her a
happy home and aiIectionalc protectors.