The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-08-28
A Mystery in MARYLAND.

} late enc afternoon In the summer OF 1901,
while an ,eastera bound train of the 5Cumber-
land and Pennsylvania Railroad was passing at
Homecoming Station, Md, one of the passengers
coming aboard was a. thickly kly-yeiled, handsome
ly dressed lady, who, with; an infant in her
arms, stopped abruptly, just after entering a
car,g as though suddenly remembering Ssonie-
thing seit behind, and hastily requested fthe
nearest rnatron to hold the child while she re-
tnrned to the platform for moment. The re-
quest was made so quickly that the person to
whom it was addressed had no time for mega
tive consideration, and, catching some hurried
remark shout handkerchief dropped, took the
babe o.her arms while its owner darted sup
possibly 10 recover her missing property. AL
most simultaneously with the incident the 10
connective of-the belated train gave sharp
whistle and off started the cars with swift
Jerk peyemptoril7 separating the two adult
parties to the infantile transfer. The lady thus
summari.y left in charge of the human mite
was Mrs: Goodrich, ,of Ocean, Cumberland
county. On her way home from friendly visit,
and before she could bring her bewildered
senses down to consecutive comprehension OF
her embarrassing predicament the train was too
far from Homecoming for any practicable at
tempt to, restore the veiled ladys treasure. She
informed the conductor of her dilemma, and at
each succeeding station expected telegram
from the bereaved parent; but, as the conduc-
tor professed himself unable to do anything in
the matter, and no kilograms came, the kind
matron finally decided to take the baby home
with her, and thence institute the proper
measures for its restoration. But not in her
home, any more than while on the cars, was
Mrs. Goodrich able to discover what had become
of the veiled stranger. Inquiries al. Lonacon.
ing and all along the railroad either way,
brought 40 tidings nor trace of the mysterious
momentary passenger, and at last the humane
family in Ocean adopted the juvenile imposl-
ton as foster-relatiye, and rejolced IN the ac-
QUESTION. Nearly six years have elapsed since
then: in that time several supplies OF hand
some clothing and monied enclosures have
come anonymously and by secret agencies TO
the Goodrich home for the child; but, until q
very recent event, not a hint hes been gained
of the little ones origin and true name. Some
days ago the family mad their first revelation
on tie latter subject from well known and
wealthy citizen of Homecoming, who, to their
mingled amazement and grief, claims the waif
of the railroad train as his grandchild, and de-
mands custody of the same. In their attach
ment to the youthful, charge, now very pretty,
Interesting member of the household, the Good
riches refuse to acknowledge the claims OF the
old gentleman-whose name is given BY the
Cumberland Nes5sas Rittenour- he has
accounted circumstantially for the incident of
the cars in 1867, and given such proof of the
childs birth and parental relationship as shall
substantiate his own demand. This, it is un-
derstood, he declines doing or, at any rate, he
has chosen to enforce his alleged right in the
matter by process of law. The suit, to be tried
soon in Cumberland, is credited by rumor with
the possibilities of complicated and romantic
revelation of family history, involving a court
ship not attended by parental approval, clan
destine marriage, a young wife and mother
reaping the bitter fruits of filial disobedience,
an infant consigned to the hands of strangers
rather, than to be left within reach of its own
father, and final return of heart-broken
widow to her old home, with tears of contrition
for the past, and confession of her child's long
exile. All this may be shown, or it may, not.
at any rae, the known facts, as recited above,
assure story of domestic mysteries for which
those who are aware Of the coming trial will
look with much interest and it can scarcely be
doubted that some notably drama scenes In So
cial life must have prefaced the strange episode
of the:can.