St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1874-07-10
Chicago Tribune, June 1s.
Unclaimed Baggage---A Conductors
Surprise.

Just before the passenger train No. I
of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pa
citic Railroad left Rock Island fer thi.
city Tuesday night, a lady and gentle,
man entered one of the passenger cars
and took their seats in quiet and un.
ostcntatious manner. The lady had
with her Il good sized bundle and Il
small basket, which she placed carefully
ON the seat beside her. When the train
was il few miles out of town the lady
left her seat and went into the next car
and after a while the gentleman got uT
and went into the smoking car, leaving
the parcels on the seat. None of the
passengers took any particular notice
of this, as they thought that the lady
and gentleman would return in short
time.
At TiSkilwa the conductor, Charlie
Tilncy, went through the cars to tell
the passengers to change cars for Peoria.
He cnquircd for the lady and gentle
man who left parcels in their seat. but
no one could give any information re-
gardng them. neither of them having
returned since they left their seats at
Rockford. The conductor took hold of
the bundle to take care of it, but no
sooner had he done so than he dropped
1t again on the seat as if something had
Stung him. His face became ashy pale
and horror stricken lis he exclaimed ::
My God. there is something kicking
in this bundle ~
The passengers all stood amazed. and
then amazement changed into wonder
when the bundle commenced scream
ing. Having at length recovered from
his surprise the conductor venturcd to
open the parcel. and a beautiful girl
baby. about one month old made its
appearance, screaming is if for dear life
He took it tcndcrly in his arms. and
careSsed the wee little thing and, think
ing it might be hungry. procured IL
bottle and milk and fed it, He then
placed the baby i'll the arms of IA lady
passenger and examined the basket
which was left with the bundle. and in
it found several baby dresses and a
number of diapers, and a note contain
ing the following request
/" the Daughters of Rehecca-
Take good care of my baby it is ii
destitute Sisters child fleeing from
brutal demon husband. Its name is
Virginia $: born May ~, Io74
Mrs. :.
When the train arrived at Blue Is
land, where Conductor FINLEY lives. he
took the baby to his house and had it
cared for hy his wife. Several of the
citizens of Blue Island. who had heard
of the little waif called at Mr.. Tinlev's
house and signitied their willingness to
adopt it. But Mr.. FINLEY had to refuse.
as he had promised it to Mr.. Briggs.
brakeman on his train. who. being
childIesS. was most happy to adopt the
little thing. and today will apply to
the court to have it legally turned over
t" him. and allow him to name it Vir-
ginia :. Briggs.
VIII" the father and mother of this
little waif are is shroudcd in mystery, |
and may remain so forever, but it is |
not believed that the woman was flee |
ing from brutal husband" She was
quite Young and of very respectable
and the gentleman who |
her also looked as if he |
belonged to the better class 1t is he |
ilcNed hy those on the train that the |
child is the offspring of illicit inter
course. and that the parties thus got
rid of their shame