Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-12-18
That Unfortunate Baby.

The city is strange place. Wealth
and want stand side by side. I leave
my wife and smiling infants, my little
cherubs, of whom I am remarkably
fond, and I saunter pleasantly along,
smoking fine cigar.
know I shall make a large sum of
money by business arrangement to |
day, and intend to take Clara to the |
opera this evening.
A woman hurries past with child in |
her arms. What a WOeful expression
on her facet What a terrible story
must be hers, and how she could curdle
the blood in our veins if she should stop
and tell it in all its blank, unvarnished
horror now!
[ feel thrill of anguish as / look at
her. All, how delightful it would be if
all the world were happy and prosper
Gus!
The woman's face seemed to hover
before me in the air.
"Where was she going?" I asked
myself. "What was she about to do p.
The.street into which she turned led
directly to the river. Perhaps, driven
to despair, she was going there to drown
herself.
These thoughts troubled me all the
morning, and at noon-tide I went out
to lunch rather in the hope of casting
away my dismal reflections than be-
cause I had an appetite.
L met friend who buttonholed me-
And it was half-past one before [ came
back to the Office. Even then was not
myself.
I felt as though I were about to see
some terrible sight, and the face of that
woman f1oated in the air again.
AS pushed the door open. half ex-
pected to see it in my office in actual
bodily presence.
It was not there, but, instead, my eyes
met sight equally surprising.
I had left my boy Shadrac in charge
as usual.
AS I cast my glance toward the desk
missed his shock head; but looking
about me, spied it lower down, and
saw that he was sitting on the floor in
corner with something in his arms, and
very uncomfortable expression on his
face.
In moment more I saw that what
he held was baby.
"Hallo !" I cried "What's that 81
young 'un," said Shadrac.
Whose? Where did it come from ?o
T cried.
"'Most the minute you went out
says she, "You Mr.. Paddock's boy ?''-
Says I, YES" Says she, "Catch hold,
and hold the child till I come back,
and she amt never come back. I dun
no what she meantsby it,"
"What kind of a woman was she 81
I asked.
''She had on shawl" said the boy.
"She was furriner. What right have
I got to take care of a young 'un Pr
sat upon chair and put my hand
to my forehead. I knew now why that
poor woman's face haunted me SO long
She had tracked me to my office. Per
haps [ had looked kindly at her. Who
knew? 1 felt pity.
destroying herself she had cast the in
FAINT upon my charity.
l looked at the child. It was very
pretty and very clean. I felt attracted
toward it. I began to wonder whether
it would be right for me to adopt child,
with my family; whether Mrs. Paddock
would be willing that should do that.
[ felt doubtful of that; her own babe
was care enough for her. AS for the
haby's maid, Gretchen. it was not likely
THAT she would be willing to be addi-
lionally burdened.
The charitable impulse faded almost
| do? [ would send for my friend, Pro-
lessor Grill, who had an office in the
same building. He knew my wife we'll
lie was sage, who read the human
character thoroughly, and could be
locked to for an opinion on any subject.
Shadrac was holding the bsby; he
could not take the message. / caught
small boy on the stairs and gave him
shilling. The result was the hasty ar
rival of the professor with lance, un-
der the impression that I had been
taken with fit of some kind He was
greatly relieved to see that nothing was
the matter, and listened to my account
of affairs.
''The old story, my dear fellow" he
said; 1.-THE old story. Shadrac, my son,
never take an infant from the arms of
an unknown woman again. The thing
is done every day. AS for your benevo,
lent,dream of adopting the child it is
excuse me absurd your wife wouldn't
hear of it. Besides, how do you know
what this deserted infant will grow up
to be? l saw your noble infant at your
happy home yesterday. The intellect
OF its father and the sweetness of it's
mother are already stamped upon it's
l!ow. l can see"-here the abandoned
infant began to shriek-"I can see the
vices OF It's parents already written on
the features of this poor waif Mark
how low its forehead is; how large it's
under jaw. Look at the rage in its
eyes; listen to the cruel ring in its cry
Beware of this child; give it to the
proper authorities at once. I'll go with
you. Shadrac, bring the baby. I must
save you from the overwhelming yearn-
ing of your own too charitable heart,
lny benevolent friend. Come with me.
[ went with him. The professor,
who is of gigantic stature, clutchipg me
by the arm as though my long vanished
impulse to adopt that strange baby was
I. material power which would bear
/, me away bodily, if not resisted; and
s'hadrac. in his office coat, with pen
behind his ear, bearing the infant, who
st II shrieked wildly, in our wake.
was glad to reach the police station.
S'ladrac told bis tale. I corroherated
j The child was registered in book.
My statement and address were record
ed, and the deserted infant was taken
away by an old woman.
$50 much for human hearts," said T.
1.-The babe was cast upon my charity I
land it over to the work house."
you are taxpayer, my friend" said
fhe professor. at is well YOU have