The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-06-16

to seek her desolate home. But shl
could not rest. Up and down he
humble apartment she walked, eve
and anon calling upon her boy; bu
no response came, save from th'
night wind, which seemed to moar
jim sympathy for the mother. Nov
she would snatch up a toy or lit
tie dress, and pressing it to hel
throbbing breast and fevered lips
would bust into tears; and they
were blessed drops, for they relieved
the heart and kept it from breaking
yet.
Morning came, an officer stood at
her door. She hastened to admit
him, and on his face she sought to
find the word hope written. BUTT
was not there. Indeed, he appeared
to be an il-omened messenger, who
brought bad news, but struggled be-
tween the tidings and secret which
he held.
81 am calm-very calm," said the
mother in a voice scarcely audible.
81 am prepared for the Worst-tell
me an.'
81 fear there is no hope"
mo hope! No hopeP' and she
repeated the words slowly. "Yes,
there is hope-in heaven. Tell me,
IL NV child doad q,
"Do you know this dressT' and
the officer produced a tiny garment.
She clutched it, and replied:
eyes. 1t is the one worn by
George when he disappeared"
"Then all is over"
"Over! Then tell me howl Where
is the body? Where did you find
this dressP'
at was found down by the river." :"
"And the body-where is that?'
Only the dress was found"
"But he wore it. How came it
stripped from his person2"
"Madam, it is evident that your
boy wandered from his home to the
river side, and that he fell into the
water. You see the dress is badly
torn. In falling it was caught on an
iron spike, and his weight stripped
it from his person; for we found it
hanging there"
"And you could not find the
bodyY'
"No. At the time the accident
must have occurred, the tide was
running out strongly, and the corpse
may have foated miles down the
bay"
"Oh, find him for me-fnd Geor-
gle for mep' and the poor woman
could say no more, for she fell faint
ing into the arms of the officer, who
gently placed her upon a couch, and
then summoned assistance.
For hours afterward she raved,
but there were intervals of sanity.
During one of these a poor woman
rushed into the apartment, and ex-
claimed:
"Oh, Mrs. Avery, I've found your
George. He is alive and well-no
harm has come to him, the dear little
lamb"
"Found my Georgiel And he is
alive! Then where is he? Why do
you not bring him to me OF once" :"
"Pve found him, Mrs. Avery, and
he is all right; but 1 can't get him
just yet.
'Not get him yet! Oh, do not
deceive me, but tell me all. Tell me
where he Is that 1 may go to him, if
you will not bring him to me''
I'll tell YOU all about it, Mrs.
Avery. As Twas coming up Broad
way, 1 saw rich-looking gentleman
and lady coming out Of one of the
big stores, with a little boy in their
The child was dressed
ever so handsome, and I wished
had such nice little things
for my own little ones. Then the
man and woman got into q carriage,
and the little fellow with them.
Just as it was rolling OF, 1 looked
again, and that child was your
George, just as sure as I live. Some
body has stolen your darling, and he
is alive this blessed minute"
"Then why was that dress found
down by the WaterY
"Oh, it's plain enough to me.
Them rich folks wanted your child
because he was so handsome, and
they stole him. OF course they
you to think the boy was
dead, and so they put the dress
where they thought it would be
found. Thinking him drowned you
would give up all search for him, and
they would keep HIM safe.
The physician, who happened to
be present, took the woman aside
and closely questioned her. She
admitted the possibility that she
might be mistaken, for she had only
caught a glimpse of the child's face;
but still she felt sure that she was
not.
The physician shook his head and
said:
"It appears very doubtful to me,
but we will let Mrs. Avery think
hat her child still lives. It is the
onlY thing that can save her, for, in
so, she will cling to hope,
which she would last but a
short time"
And the mother did cling to hope.
But the blow had been so severe
hat her recovery could not be speedy.
In weeks time, however, she had
70 far recovered as to be able to
cave her house, and she had formed
ler plans. She did not for a mo-
nent doubt the story of the woman,
md she hoped, while she had re-
solved to watch, and wait, and pray.
Day after day she passed in wan
1ering up and down the fashionable
streets, peering eagerly into every
carriage, examining the faces of all
ihe children of her boys age, she
saw at play, and gazing into almost
every dwelling window. Several |
times she had been considerably !
startled, halfsmothered cries had
her, and she had run with
all her speed to overtake some Yehi-
Gle where she had caught the glimpse
Of an infant form. More then once
,be had attracted the attention Of
,he police by her, to them, strange |
and some there were who
thought her insane; but, as she ap-
,oorod nUite harmless. she was not |