The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1871-06-09


why, unless it was from the fact tha
the very mention Of children causct
her brain to whirl and her eyes tt
grow dim with tears. But at once
she started for the dcsi snatcd point
She was admitted by servant into
the presence Of the mistress, who
examined the applicant closely, aud
then said:
"My good woman, [ question the
propriety Of engaging you, for there
is something wild in your manner
and if l am not greatly mistaken,
have often seen you wandering in this
vicinity, with an appearance which in.
dicated lunacy. Are you not in the
habit Of drinking?"
"No madam, nor do think am
insane. 1t is true there is a heavy
burden upon my heart, and if you arc
q mother, you can sympathizc with
me.
"What is the cause of your suffer,
ing?"
'My child-my only and darling
little hoy-has been stolen from me-.
You may have noticed me in this
neighborhood, but 1 was searching for
him."
A deadly pallor had oversprcad the
rich woman's face, and she hisscd
through her teeth:
"Go-l cannot engage you-go.
If you are poor, here is something to
relieve you, but quit my house at
once;" and the lady tossed Mrs. Avery
u bank-notc, which would have paid
for whole weeks Of toll, had she been
engaged.
At the instant a child ran into the
apartment, laughed innoceutIy, and
holding up toy, exclaimed:
"Mamma! mammal"
A piercing shrek burst from the
lips Of Mrs. Avery; and springing up,
she caught the little one in her arms,
cXcla!ming:
MY God, it is George, my own
lost boy!"
TIE little fellow was, evidently,
frightened. at the wild woman, and
beginning to cry, he stretched out his
hands toa ard the rich lady, and
said:
"Come, mamma-up-!"
BY this time the lady had recovered
her calmn"ss. and attempting to take
the little one, she said: 80.
"Woman, l know that you arc in
sane now. Give up that child 1t is
not yoars-don't you sec he is afraid
Of YOU
at is my child and no earthly
power shall part usl'
''Give him up, | say, or [ will call
the police and give you in charge as Il
dangerous lunat;c. Give him up l
say!"
Never. CaIl the police, and I, too
will call them" With the boy in her
arms, she made a dash for the front
door, which she opened, and was
about to desc nd the granite steps,
when sho met an officer face to face.
The rich lady saw him too and ex-
claimed:
"Alrcst that woman She is q
maniac. and would steal my child"
The officer attempted to take the
child, while he said to the poor wo-
man:
You get away from here, and if
I ever catch You in this neigh orhood
again, will lock you up. l have
seen you around here betorc.".
"But will not give up this child,
for it is nine," she shrickcd, "and the
woman stole it from me. 1t is mine,
and can prove it.
By this time rs might have been
expected, u crowd had gathered
ar uni, and as they glran'd some
thing Of the affair they demanded
that each party should be taken be-
fore justice, where the merits of the
case should be decided. To this T.
rangement the officer consented and
in q sho"t time after, the rival
mothers were at the police court, the
rich WON; n backed by her husband
and their friends, while Mrs. A very
was al! alone, unless her God was
with her.
The Justice listened to the story Of
Mrs. Avery, and it was given rs it had
been recorded here, but with. almost
too much wildncss of manner to pro-
duco altogether q favorable effect.
Meanwhile the child had been kept
from both claimants.
"Now we will listen to you, Mrs.
Bradley" said the justice, addressing
the rich lady.
Calmly she told her story. Her
husband and herself had been absent
in Europe for the past three years,
and had returned but a few weeks be-
tore. During this absence, her child,
little William, was born. She was the
daughter Of one Of the most respecta-
bic and wealthy gentlemen in New
York was herself wealthy, and the
idea that she should steal the brit Of
any poor woman, was simply prepos-
ferrous The person who had pre-
scntcd snch claims, was evidently in
sane, and was dangerous character
to be permitted to have her liberty.
She should be shut upi in some irsanc
asylum.
Other witnesses were examined,
who declared hat they had frequent
ly observed Mrs. Avery, that her ac-
tons had always been very singular,