Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-06-01

Inc JuSuce nStened 70 the story OF MIS-
Avery, and it was given as it has been re-
corded here, but with almost too much
wildness Of manner to produce altogether
favorable effect. Meantime the child
had been kept from both claimants.
Now, we will listen to you, Mrs. Brad
ley" said the justice, addressing the rich
lady.
Calmly she told her story. Her husband
and herself had been absent in Europe fol
the past three years, and had returned but
q few weeks before. During this absence
her child, little William was born. She
was the daughter of one of the most re-
| spectacle and wealthy gentlemen in New
York, was herself wealthy, and the idea
that she should steal the brat Of any pool
woman was simply preposterous. The
person who had presented such claims
was evidently insane, and was dangerous
character to be permitted to have her lib
erty. She should be shut up in some in
sane asylum.
Other witnesses were examined who de.
clared that they had frequently observed
Mrs. Avery, that her actions had always
been very singular, and that they had
looked upon her as lunatic.
How long is it since your child was
taken from you, Mrs. Avery" asked the
justice.
"a little over six weeks sir"
At his age he would scarcely have for
gotten you yet Now let both these claim
ants go to him, extend their hands, and
ask him to come. Wewill see to which
he will cling"
Both women advanced, and extending
her hands, Mrs. Avery said:
"GeOrQie come to mamma"
| The little fellow gazed upon her with
something of wonder in his expression,
and half extended his hands. But Mrs.
Bradley exclaimed:
Willie, dear, come to mamma"
The child turned TO her, stretched out
his little hands, was received, and then he
laid his head upon her bosom, repeating
the word:
Mamma! mammal"
at is enough" said the justice. "The
child belongs to Mrs. Bradley, and Mrs
Avery is evidently insane. Remove her,
for upon that question we must have a
further hearing"
"Stay," cried the poor woman, "and l
will give you further proof that you are
mistaken. Permit me to take the child in
my arms for few moments, and will
convince you. During his six weeks alb
sence from me, he has almost forgotten
his mother, but he will soon remember
her. pray you let me take the boy only
for few moments"
s. Give her the child
She took the boy in her arms, and seated
herself. She caressed him tenderly, spoke
a few simple words, such as children are
accustomed TO- and then said:
George, sleep-by, and sing"
The little fellow dropped his head upon
the woman's bosom, and commenced a
murmuring sound, adding plainly the
word, "by-by-by."
"say, stop that" repeated the
mother.
"Stop a.that," answered the child.
"Say, Ella"
ella" came in distinct articulation.
"What do you hear? asked the mother.
"Hark harkl" repeated the child.
With tears standing in her eyes, Mrs.
Avery sprang up, placed the boy in seat,
caught bit of paper from the table, and
wrote few words upon it. This she
handed to the justice, who read it, and
Then the mother, turning to her boy,
said:
"Georgie, mamma is going to pray"
Instantly the boy closed his eyes, and
folded his hands across his breast. And
the mother repeated, in slow and earnest
words:
"Oh, thou Father Of the orphan, and the
widows God, protect this mother and her
child"
There was quite pause before the little
fellow opened his eyes and unfolded his
hands Then he extended them to his
mother, and chung to her with all his
strength refusing to be removed from her.
Those words had brought back recOllec-
ton, and all was with him as if he had
never been separated from that parent.
The Justice held up the paper, and his
utterance was choked as he said:
"Mrs. Avery wrote upon this slip just
what the boy would do when she spoke of
prayer. He has done it. The child be-
longs to her"
There were few dry eyes in that court
room, and while the true mother smiled
again with joy, the kidnappers were thor
oughly crushed. They skunk from the
place, and to avoid further investigation,
they left the city, and all trace of them
was lost.
But the whole facts of the case after
ward transpired. Mrs. Bradley had mar
ried against her fathers wishes, and that
father had sworn a solemn oath that he
would disinherit her. After time he
relented, but would not break his oath.
And to "whip the devil around the
| stump" he had made provisions that the
first child should have very large annual
income, and at his own death that child
was to receive a splendid fortune. But
eleven years had passed since the mar.
rage, and still the woman was without an
heir. The husband and wife visited
Europe, and were gone three years. Dur
ing this absence they had sent word home
that the old gentleman was grand father.
| This was not the case, but one OF power
| tvs children of the suitable age, had been
adopted by them, and was to be palmed of
as their own. This was necessary, for
poverty was staring them in the face, and
only the will of her father would enable
them still to live in affluence.
On the passage over from England. the
child died. 1t became necessary for them
to find another, and on the very day of
their arrival, they had stolen that OF Mrs.
| Avery.
This is q strange world, and events
stronger than anything in fiction are &C.
=