Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1867-08-07
GIVING AWAY A CHILD.


ren. They were evidently in very desti-
tute circumstances; but the exceeding
beauty Of the children, two girls and
boy, was the admiration Of all their fel-
low passengers. 4 lady who had no
children of her own, was desirous Of
adopting one of the little travellers, and
made application to the father, through a
friend, who gives the following touching
and, as we suppose, trRthful account Of
the negotiation
I proceeded, he says, Immediately up
On my delicate diplomacy, Finding my
friend on deck, I thus opened the AFFAIR."
You are poor,
"Poor, sirP' said he, Gay, if there's a
poorer man than me troublin' the world
God pity both of US for we'd be about
equal
"Then how do you manage to support
your children"
'Is it support them, sir? Why, I
don't support them any way, they get
supported some way or other. It'll be
time enough for me to complain when
they do not
"Would it be relief to you to part
with one Of them?"
It was too suddenly, he turned sharply
around.
GA what sir?' he cried. "a relief to
part from my child? Would it be a relief
to have the hands chopped from the body,
or the heart torn out Of my breast? A
relief indeed! God be good to uz, what do
you name?
"You don't understand me-" [ replied.
"If now, it were in ones power to pro.
vide comfortably for one Of your children,
would you stand in the way of it's inter-
ests?
"No, sir" said he, '.the heavens know
that [ would willingly cut the sunshine
away from myself, that they might get
all the warm Of it; but tell Us what you
are drawing at"
[ then told him that a lady had taken
a fancy to have one of his children and,
If he would consent to it, it should be
educated, and finally settled comfortably
in life. .r-.......a
This threw him into a fit Of guatulation.
He scratched his head and looked the
perfect picture of bewlderment The
struggle between fathers love and
child's interest was evident and touching.
at length he said:
20, murther, wouldn't it be great
thing for the bady? But l must go and
talk with Mary--that's the mother of
them; an it wouldn't be right to be CIV
ing away her children afore her face, and
she to know nothing at all about it,"
Away with you then," said |, "and
bring me an answer back as soon as pos
sible" 3s.
In about half an hour he returned,
leading two Of his children. His eyes
were red and swollen, and his face pale
from excitement and agitation.
"Well," [ enquired, "what success"
"Bedad, it was hard struggle, sir,
said he. But I've been talking to Mary,
an she says, as it's for the child's good,
maybe the heavens about will give US
strength to bear it.
every well; and which of them is it
to be 2" aHea
"Faith, an I don't know sir" and he
ran his eye obviously over both.
"Here's little Norah-she's the oldest,
an wont need her mother so much but
then-O! tear an aigeas-it's myself
that can't tell which I'd rather part with
least so take the first one that comes,
wild blessing. There sir" and he hand
ed over little Norah turning back, he
snatched her up in his arms, and gave her
one long, hearty fathers kiss, saying
through his tears =
MAY God be good to him that's good
to you, an them that offers you hurt or
harm, may their souls never see St. Pc
ther. as. .s
Then taking his other child by the hand
he walked away, leaving Norah with me.
[ took her down, to the cabin and We
thought the matter settled. 1t must be
confessed, to my great Indignation, how
ever, in about an hours time I saw my
friend Pat at the window. As soon as
he caught my eye he commenced making
found that he had the other child in his
arms.
What's the matter now p asked I.
"Well, sir" said he, 81 ask your par
don for troubling you about SO small a
thing as child or two, but we're think
in that maybe it'd make no differ-you
see, sir, I've been talking to Mary, an
she says she can't part with Norah, be-
cause the creature has a look ov me; but
here's little Biddy, she's purteyer far, an
av you plase, sir, will you swap p
"Certainly," said [, whenever you
like" @ r..
So he snapped up little Norah as it were
some recovered treasure, and darted away
with her, leaving little Biddy, who re.
! Al -