The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1874-12-24

/ In the midst of such a scene, four wears
after the events narrated n the last chap
/ ter, husband and wife were standing to
I gether, quietly and earnestly gazing TO
I ward land. The woman's face was pale
and calm, tCt a wistful look in the gray
eyes AMI some deep lines about the
mouth told their story of past trouble
/ Her husband, a hale, burly man, from
the class perhaps of working farmers
! looked as If no cloud had ever rested on
his handsome face; both were plainly
but well dressed
We'll, the man was saying, 1--WE
come back to America sight richer than
| left it, that's certain. That last haul did
my business, ana glad enough shall be
to be safe at home again." then, as his
wife did not Immediately reply, he added,
kindly: Come, cheer up, Jane. ! know
what you're thinking of; but you needn't
be so uwn-hearted. We're sure to find
him"
All, | don't know the woman said,
sadly; Z" he may be dead and gone by this
time, poor darling If he is alive, he must
be seven now. My baby, my baby, how
could | leave himi'
" ell, my girl. don't wonder at it, y
gepiied The "H his hearty voice.
Iou'd have stuck to him, | know, as
long rs you had u bit of bread to put into
his mouth; and when you hadn't, | don't
know but what you did the best you could
for him"
The woman looked up gratefully to
her husband. but tears filed her ewes.
She took the great brown hand and
stroked it, saying, softly: You are sure
you forgive everything that went before
before | left New York;"
Why, what are you talking about,
Jenny? Didn't tell you the day we mar
ried that bygones should be bygones,
eh, little woman? and haver't you been
the best of wives to me for three years
since then? It's just the sight of Ameri-
ca makes you foolisis and nervous-likc
You'll be all right as soon as we get
there"
There was little pause, and then the
wife said, timidly:
Harry, I've never told you exactly
how | came to leave my baby, and to
to take the box. | should like to tell you
now"
well, my dear" h" answered, without
a shadow crossing his face, "tell me
now, if it will be any comfort to you ;
but don't feel obliged to-"
No" Size replied, drummin" softly
with her fingers upon the side OF The YES
sci. Il should like to do it. After
after he deserted me, you know, we really
were starving, my baby and l. That
morning we had been wandering about
Jail night in the cold, and he cried for
bread and had none to give him. All,
me! | can hear that little cry now. AT
last we came near the depot, and could
see the warm fire through the waiting
IL J.,l Il,
die soon if he wasn't fed, and all the
courage went out of ne. | put him down
by the entrance, thinking perhaps some
passenger might take pity on him. And
then | watched, under cover of the dark
ness, and saw them take him to the sta
tion-house. Oh, whata miserable, miser-
able place for little child"
My poor girl.' said her husband,
compassionately as she stopped, choked
by her tears
The next day was prowling about
near the station-house- couldn't 20 far
from it, it always seemed TO pull me
back-when came to u jewelers. shop,
where lady was goibg in with IA snuff
box to be mended. | su!i see her un-
folding the parcel, and then the jewels
sparkling upon it. ! longed for the food
that 1t would have bought, and thought
how cruel it was that she should have
that splendid thing while my baby. my
only treasure, must be taken from me"
She waited a moment, and then went
on, her eyes fixed upon the dim outline
of the distant shore:
The salesman left the shop, and the
lady walked toward the door holding the
box. | don't know what possessed me
then. | rushed in, snatched 1t out of her
hand, and ran away There was a hue
and cry for police and the next moment
| could hear them behind me ] tried to
90 faster, but on turning a corner | ran
up hard against a man. Ii stopped me.
and then the horror came upon me of
feeling myself thief. | had never stolen
a crumb before. | could not give myself
up, and bed ragged to prison, but slipped
the box into the mans pocket, and
ran on. / thought he would feel it drop
and give it directly 10 the policeman"
And are you sure that was the same
man who took little Johnny" asked the
husband "it hardly seems likely"
g am sure; his name was Fanshaw,
too she answered: "it was given in the
paper, with the account of his having
claimed the reward. l saw it after
ward"
"What made you think of going to
South Africa?"
Well, when | knew that my boy had
been taken out of the station house, | de
termined not to die, as thought | should,
but to try and live for his sake. / OBJ
tanned a position as stewardess on a ship
bound for South Africa, and thought it
the only way to earn money somehow to
support him. I've never heard of him
since. l ,o0nder why they have never an
swered my letters"
Gou wrote to the wrong place, most
likely" suggested the husband; how
ever, it was lucky you remembered the
jewelers. address all right, for if he
hadn't acknowledged the receipt of the
hundred dollars we refunded, and prom
ised not to prosecute, we couldn't be
here; but as to Johnny, you'll see, Jane.
Wen find him out, and we'll have him
home, and bring him up to be honest and
true, and we'll find means to reward
those that have been kind to him, never
you fear" and he stopped down and
kissed her.
Thus il was that the mother of the de
serted child returned to America-the
happy, respected wife of an upright and
successful man, yet yearning for her lost
darling with a longing that never faded
or grew dim. Daily, during the home
ward voyage, she had pictured the meet
ing between herself and her boy, until
she could almost feel the clasp of his lit
tie arms round her neck, but as the Fly
ing SCud neared America a miserable
reStlessness took possession of her-a
sick fear lest she should not find her
child. Her husband was very kind. very
/ tender with her, but he had no power to
still the terror that filled the mothers
soul II was on rainy morning early in
/ Christmas week that Henry Boutou, the
! fortunate diamond seeker, and his pale
wife, landed at New York, and as soon
| as they had attended to their baggage
| they started together to look for the
| Fanshaws.
| They went first to the old lodgings tC
which little Johnny had been traced BY
| his mother The door was opened by
man of whom they inquired the where
/ abouts of the Fanshaws.
Walk in," said he, Civilly, when he
had heard their query, and I'll inquire ,
He did so, and pleasant, chatty woman
came out, with baby in her arms. Il
you please. ma'am," she said, 1.-The Fan
shaws left here three years ago and more
When Mr.. Fanshaw got into trouble ny
husband was put in his place with tn,
railroad company, and as he couldn't al
lord to keep these lodgings we took 'en
off his hands"
Henry Bouton turned to smile cheeril,
at his wife before he asked, "N ha
trouble was it:''
" Why, sir, don't know that ! cal
rightly tell Won. II was something apou