Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-11-30
5Histtllanp.
-1il Extraordinary Story.
a Virgin Mother and a White Dove Wit
cess.

From The Muscaiinc lows Tribune, Oct. es.j
Some months ago. L Muscatine Young
lady accepted situation as a teacher in
school few miles from the city. Re-
turning home recently, she was taken sick
AMI physician called. An examination
Ly him revealed the fact that she was
about to become mother. The terrible
opinion fell ike = thunderbOlt upon the
parents but it smote the heart Of the
sirl with grief and terror and ANA cement
which no language can describe. She
could not and would not believe her ply
stefan. Her pale lips asserted and reas-
serted the most positive innocence Of any
and all circumstances leading to such a
result. She as solemnly affirmed her ignO-
rance Of her condition until informed BY
the physician. On inquiring into her re-
latiOnS with the family boarding her, 1t
was aScertained that there were two grown
up sons, but there were no circumstances
showing the least improper intimacy be-
tween either Of them and the teacher, or
between her and any other party IN the
neighborhood. Her department in the
district had been most scrupulously cor
rect. That she must have been drugged
was the only remaining explanation Of the
case. To this solution examination was
directed, and the girl stated that on one
occasion one Of the sons above mentioned
advised her to keep the door of her cham
Der locked at night. Up to that time she
had not locked her door, but did subse-
quently. No other circumstance was
elected TO throw any light upon the mys-
terry. The farmer with whom she boarded
was summoned TO the city, and being in
formed Of the case, was greatly astOnished
and proiessei the deepest sympathy. He
could not believe that either Of his sons
could be guilty OF the crime; nor did he
think them at all qualified by their
knowledge Of drugs for It's accomplish
ment. 1t has since been learned that one
Of the sons had spent some months in
drug store, and We conclude our story Of
the crime by mentioning that the child, at
ITS birth, was taken by the farmer to his
home for adoption.
After the birth Of the child the young
mother solemnly raised her head and call
cd God TO witness that she knew nothing
Of its conception or fatherhood. In spite
Of these impressive asseverations more or
less suspicious still clouded the girls inno-
eence. This suspicion was Of nature
that involved questions of medical science.
But, last Sunday, new witness appeared
ia the case. While 4 number were in the
sick-roOm, white dove appeared at the
window, and beat his bill against the
panes IN . vain endeayor to enter. Barred
from admission at this point, the bird dis
appeared and Immediately sought another
place Of entrance, which It found at the
back door Of the dwelling. Here it enter
ed and made its way directly to the sick
rSoHi, when it few to the bed, perched for
= moment On the foot-board, and then
made its way to the PROSTATE head of the
poor patient, where it nestled in perfect
security, and was only removed by hand
How will the world view this singular In
eident3 Is it judgment from heaven in
favor Of the innocence Of the girl? You
may laugh at this idea, but you must con-
eede that the visitation of the white dove
was unnatural-supernatural. Neither
the bird nor any dove had ever been DO
mestieated at the house, or had their cote
in the neighborhOOd. The visit was no
sequence OF any thing going before. 1t
was a fash from darkness, aud to darkness
it returned. The white dove, for ages,
has been symbolic OF purity. 1t is so
treated in the sacred World. Had it this
meaning for her, who has no witness for
her innocence, and whose situation was
a much a msytery to herself as to her
friends .