The Van Buren press., 1873-02-11

~ A.few days ago we noticed the in
cident OF young man Of twenty, named
Weeks, returning from sea, and makirg
inquiries of the board of charities, in
Brooklyn, regarding his mother, and
brother, and sister, The old man had,
tfteen years ago, placed his children in
Flathnsh Nursery, and their mother in
an Insane ssylun. 1t was supposed to get
rid OF them. This boy was bound out
10 farmer who abused him, and he ran
of to sea. 3 For the first time returning
TO New York. he heard that bis father
was dead, leaving S25, 900 and the sailor
boy determined to make an effort to find
out what had become of tho remainder
Of his family, and secure his fathers lit
lo fortune for their benefit His brother
aud sister left the nursery many years
ago, and the authorities could give no
hint as to what had become OF them.
His mother, he learned. was still in the
asylum, and thithcr the sailor wcnded
his way to see her. A New York paper
gives the. following account of the meet
ing OF tho son and mother after their
long separation:
o. the arrival of Weeks at the Lunat'c
asylum no was shown into the presence
OF the physician IN charge, DR.. Chaplin.
aud to him told the object of his vis,
The worthy custodian OF the asyum at
once took deep interest in the recital &c
the. e.yonng man, and accompanied him to
the female ward, in which Mrs. Weeks
had passed 30 many, many years, suffer
ing from what 10 technically known AS
chronic demcntis. Here wandered aim
lcssly up and down the hall women Of al
most every age, sone silent and Others
mu.'cring In that uniutcllisible jargon
which strikes so harshly upol the senses
OF the unaccustomed visitor
Ihe colorless cheeks, bright, vacant
staring eyes, and quick, iervous move
msnts, characteristic OF the occupants OF
such place, grated strangely upon the
Young mariner In quest Of his mother,
he s.rode up and down the ward, pseriug
closely into tho face Of every female OF
mature years, in the hope Of recognizing
her. -Four times in succession the de
mented mother and the quick. wittcd son
passed each other without the least cvi
denco Of identification on either side
Then the doctor stopped in front of -four
middlc.aged patients. Young weeks 70,
q moment glanced from face 10 face, I'd
then stepping forward exclaimed, "tat,
10 my mother!' He embraced the form
of a gray.haired, stopped woman, whose
lips he kissed, but vainly endesyored t.
arouse the least token OF recognition on
her part. The poor woman submitted
psssivelya to tho filal salu,atiou Of tn,
son, whose coming she would gladly ha
with maternal Joy could memqry but as
sert her claim for an instant But no
there WAS a great chasm between the pas,
end the present, which nsught this sid.
ofthc grave can span. The gloom wa.
irnpsnetrable. and no beacon light show,
in the distance to penetrate the depths ID
which remembrance Of children and home
lie Forever buried to that poor woman
The bronzed cheeks OF the young marin
Or we're snduscd with tears 40 hc vainl,
appealed TO her for ssmc evidence of rec
ognitios. The poor woman said, "No
She had no children. Her name wa,
Mrs. ShAddock, and her husband was ar
'.ipholstsrsr." The records at the asy
lun, however. establish her identity ~
the widowof Mr.. Weeks Sadly Henr,
tarnsd aSsy from tho gloomy place. and
promising to call again at an early day
went out IN qncst OF his brothers, VIII
liam and Edward Weeks. As soon q,
fortune may have sufficiently favor
him 70 have found them he viii return &c