The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-12
BRIDGETs BABY.
CONTEST BETWEEN A GERMAN AND AN Inrsn
WOMAN FoR THE LATTER's DAUGHrER--rHs

CONTEST BETWEEN A GERMAN AND AN InIsH
WOMAN ron THE LATTEEs DAUGHrER--rHB
POOR MOTHER WHO WOULD NOT DIE
The steamer Daniel Drew, OF the Peoples line from
Albany, brought Two very angry and fond women to
this city yesterday morning Que OF them was Bridges
Bowen, servant girl, OF No. 4o7 East Filty-sxlh
street; the other Mrz Lousa Metx, OF Albany 4
very wel-todo and neat German lady. They did not
look with kindly eyes upon each other, because each
wanted to get possession OF pretty little girl taste.
fully clad, Of about three years DID, whom Bridget
clumeo a. her own offspring Tho story il quite
romantic ono, and related TO Sergeant Ban1ed OF
the Steamboat squad at tho Central ONCE yesterday
morning, by the two women, who had been brought
before him.
Some eight months ago Bridget Bowen was very i'll
and had TO be taken Bellevue Hospital for treat
ment SO acute was ner disorder and helpless her
condition that she had TO evo her ohild to the Of
the Charities and Correction Bridget. grew worse
from day day and at length ner death Was reported
understood to have taken place. The child was
therefore turned to Mr. Kellock. Superintendent
OF the outdoor Poor Of the Department Of Charities and
Correction About this time Mrs. Louisa Motz, OF No.
rs Elizabeth street, Albany, 70 New York, and,
beng chdiess. sought orphan for adoption Nat.
urally she called upon Mr. Kcock and by him
shown the little daughter Of Bridget Bowen. Her
heart warmed to the homeless and lovely little
and she agreed adopt Il, and
gave security to guarantee tho proper
OF tho girl To Albany went the youngster with her
.'new mamma, who took every means AZ her dsposal
to render tho Dabys lot huppy one Cleanliness and
health blessed her and the child Of poverty put the
appearance OF tho offspring Of aiuence. Eight months
went BY quickly and happily for Mrs. Motz and her
adopted darling but The angel Of maternity was not
satisfied. and boneatn IT'S wing one morning
appeared Bridget Bowen, claiming her child She
was not dcad She alive, by some mistake or
other, and had gone to superintendent Kcock to get
back her baby. The good ola gentleman, sorey
distressed to ind that he had given away = living
mothers daughter, furnished Bridget with tho namc
aud address oi Mrs. Metz, and thither travelled
AN UNPLEASANT RrycoxrRs.
She called and asked TO her child She was pcr-
mitled to catca glimpse or IT, but that was all
Louisa had resolved 10 retain the bright-eyed little
iairy Us long she vod. There werc some uupleas-
parts speech exchanged by the rival mothers.
But Metz would not surrender wherefore Bridget had
to depart she came. She LETT Lousa's presence
lice Albany Ho summoned both parties before him.
The consequences OF this that he great
Of the 50 took Inc pspsrs
aud adjourned further hearing pending hIs
separate apartments, Bridget begging for and sue
ceodng In obtaining possession Of the child Tor tho
nonce Her maternal yearn,ugs caused the Chief to
or SO the Chiof. ~ is said, sent for the women. Mrx
Me!z answered tho summons n person, but Bridget
and child had flown. Nothing was heard Of them by
the authorities until ye.torday morning. when
both turned up GU board the Drew. Bridget
had taken passage to New York, and Mrs Metz
hearing OF IT, followed her. They did meet the
vessel Bridget undoubtedly kept out Of sight, fear
tul OF pursuit, They met however, faco to lace at
tho landing, pier Al North River, and tho result
a difficulty, which almost became personal conflict
for possession OF the child officer Grognn, OF the
Steamboat squad who appeared at the right moment
10 interpose the majesty OF the law between tho
women, ended the hostile deinonstrati0n. Each
charged the other with the abduction, and bothered
the good Eaturcd fellow terrih y. Accordingly no
Tired carrase and took the women and child 70 the
Central Ofhcc.
| HID A.lr THE CHILD TO THE NorHxR.
From that place Sergeant Bautield sent them TO
Superintendent Keock tho innocent author Of ali tho
| mschie. Before. they went, however, the child
showed an unmsakabe preference for tho society OF
| Mrs Metz superintendent, Kcllock, like second
| Solomon adjudicated between the mothers and
| gavo the child TO her whose offspring 1t was. What
bonent accrued to the Hebrew baby Of Soom0n's
day II be claimed that any In material sense,
Is likely to the Hibcrnan child. There were
| no legal documents giving Mrs. Metz right to the
youngsser other course was left Tor Mr. Kellock
Rich roor however, Ia II not triumph OF the bost
feelings Of humanity that the love Of the mother Tor
her child should DO respectedg Poor Bridget IN the
heediessness Of ordi airy humanity, Of the phioso.
phcs OF tho modcrns, did not die at the proper
ment for her baby's welfare but would Mrs Metz
Queen Vicloris, In Brdgets place, have done otnor.
wise? To DO The toy OF the rich or tho idol OF the
poor are alternatives that few children wouu hesitate
between; to be y dead woman or live mother would
find equally few Of tho fair sex leaning toward the
grave. Bridget lived, and lilo, fortunately, has its
rights well a. Its burdens