South-eastern Independent. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1871-1871, 1871-05-26


!. become exhausted, and it now became
] necessary for her to resume her toll. She
/ did so with heart heavy as lead.
, One morning her attention was attracted
by sn advertisement in newspaper. A
J woman was wanted in wealthy private
+ family to make clothing for child. Her
heart beat rapidly as she read it, she knew
not why, unless it was from the fact that
the very mention of children caused her
brain to whirl and her eyes to grow dim
with tears. But at once she started for
the designated point. She was admitted
by servant into the presence of the mis-
tress, who examined the applicant closely
for few moments and then said:
My good woman, l question the pro-
priety of engaging you, for there is some
thing wild in your manner, and if am
not greatly mistaken, | have cften seen
you wandering in this vicinity, with an
appearance which indicated lunacy. Are
you not in the habit of drinking?"
Z" No, madam, nor do think / am in
sane. 1t is true there is a heavy burden
upon my heart, and if you are a mother,
you can sympathiZe with me-"
What is the cause Of your suffering?"
My child-my only and darling little
boy-has been stolen from me. You may
|
1 was searching for him"
"a deadly pallor had overspread the
rich woman's face, and she hissed through
her teeth:
"Go-I can not 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 bank-note, which
would have paid for whole weeks of toll,
had she been engaged
At that instant a child ran into the
apartment laughing innocently and ex-
claimed:
Mammal mammal"
A piercing shrek burst from the lips of
Mrs. Avery; and springing up, she caught
the little one in her arms exclaiming:
"My God, it is George, my own lost
boyp
The little fellow was evidently fright.
ened at the wild manner Of fthe woman,
and beginning to cry, he stretched out his
hands towards the rich lady, and said:
Come, mamma-up-upl"
By this time the lady had recovered her
calmness, and attempting to take the little |
one, she said:
woman, 1 know that you are insane |
now. Give me up that child. 1t is not
yours-don't you see, he is afraid of you" |
shall part u.s."
"Give him up, say, or will call the
police, and give you in charge as a dan
gerous lunatic. Give him up, sayl"
Never. Call the police, and 1, too,
will call them.n With the boy in her
arms, she made dash for the front door,
which she opened, and was about to de-
scend the granite steps, when she met an
officer face to face. The rich lady saw
him too, and exclaimed:
Arrest that woman. She is a maniac.
and would steal my child"
The commands of the rich generally
outweigh those of the poor, under such
circumstances; and at this time appear
ances were greatly against Mrs Avery.
She was herself poorly clad, and the child
was dressed in the richest garments. She
was not at her own home, but at that of
the woman who claimed the boy as her
own. So the officer attempted to take the
child, while he said to the poor woman:
You get away from here, and if 1 ever
catch you in this neighborhood again, 1
will lock you up. l have seen you around
here before"
"But will not give up this child, for it
is mine," she shrieked, "and that woman
stole it from me. 1t is mine, and 1 can
prove it."
By this time, as might have been ex-
pected, a crowd had gathered around, and
as they CLEANED something of the affair,
they demanded that each party should be
taken before a justice, where the merits of
the case should be decided. To this ar
the officer consented, and in
short time after, the rival mothers were at
the police court, the rich woman backed
by her husband and their friends, while
Mrs. Avery was all alone, unless her God p
was with her.
The justice listened to the story of Mrs. )
Avery, and it was given as it has been re-
corded here, but with almost too much
wildness of manner to produce altogeth er
D 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 for ,
the past three years. and had returned but :
a few weeks before. During this absence, !
her child, little William was born. She !
was the daughter of one of the most re- J
spectacle and wealthy gentlemen in New
York, was herself wealthy, and the idea ,
that she should steal the brat of any Door /,
woman was simply preposterous. The J
person who had presented such claims !
was evidently insane, and was dangerous :
character to be permitted to have her lib !,
eTty. She should be shut up in some in !
'ane asylum. ,
Other witnesses were examined who de- :
,lared that they had frequently observed I
Mrs. Avery, that her actions had always {
been very singular, and that they had /
ooked upon her as lunatic. Z
How long is it since your child was
AIKEN from you, Mrs. Avery?" asked the /
ustice. I
"a little over six weeks sir"
AT his age he would scarcely have for c
yotten you yet Now let both these claim /
lnts go to him, extend their hands, and t
Isk him to come. Wew will see to which 7
lie will cling" ]
Both women advanced, and extending {
ler hands, Mrs. Avery said: a
George, come to mamma"
The little fellow gazed upon her with '
md half extended his hands. But Mrs. c
Bradley exclaimed: a
"Willie, dear, come TO mamma"
The child turned to her, stretched out !
lis little hands, was received, and then he
aid his head upon her bosom, repeating {
he word: Q
Mammal mammal
at is enough" said the justice "The I
hild belongs to Mrs. Bradley, and Mrs y
Avery is evidently insane. Remove her, :,
Or upon that question we must have a = =
urther hearing"
Stay" cried the poor woman, "and 1 =
Tin give you further proof that you are
Permit me to take the child in
ny arms for a few moments, and will
onvince you. During his six weeks ab-
ence from me, he has almost forgotten 7;
is mother hnt he will snnn remember ~