The New York herald., 1877-11-20
ROW MS BABY.

THE PUZZLE THAT CONFRONTED THE FATHER
AT THE FOUNDING AsYLUM-wHAr CAN HE
DO ABOUT 1T!
Joseph Rown's effort to identify and reclaim his
child at the Founding Asylum In Sixty-eighth
street yesterday was painful failure. Mr.. Rown,
with his family physician, Mrs. Little ana his wife.
who is the mother OF the lutte one, and with whose
consent the child taken TO tho asylum almost I'M
mcdately after entering this troubled sphere to
the Founding Asylum to try and identify tho boy.
While they waited in the reception room nervousiy
cxpcctan pattcrng steps resounccd in the corridor,
and presently the Sisters oil the institution led
in haxcn.hared, rosy ycheeked little boy, about two
years old. AS the Sister approached the waiting
group with the fair-haired youngster toddling by
her side she said, "rhis is Eddy" The Rowns
seemed greatly surprised. They had with them
were Of dark complexion and had black
hair. Surely this httle blonde could not be the
brother Of swarthy boys, and yet here he was
presented their brother by lady OF the institution
tnat has brought him up from the time oil his birth.
But Mr.. Rown could not think OF accepting the little
fellow as his offspring and, after a moments exam
nation OF the chd's lace, no turned away with look
OF troabed disappointment Here was sad puzzle
for HIM expected to have the qualification OF
an Immediate recognition oil his lost child. He
seemed crcsllaen from the first glimpse he had of the
little ono. Mrs Rown, however, was not so readily
dIsconcerted She raised up the child kissed him and
scarcaingy examined his features, hoping TO discover
some TRAIT or sign by which TO convince herself the
child was really her own. While Mrs. Rown neld HIM
in her Mr. Rown again searched the little onc's
iace but not with tathers loving gaze. Tnen, turn
Ing Sister, he asked hcr II sue sure this
the child he in search OIL. The SISTER SAID she
was; this child was iet at the Founding Asylum
on the night oil December Il, 1870
Were any children received here that night?"
MI. Rown asked.
The Sister replied that another child had been re-
ceived AT later hour-toward morning-who this
cnild EDDY, was lett ut the time mentioned by Mr.
RowD. There could be doubt on tins point
Then the troubled father inquired ou, the clothes
the child wore whom received aud was met by the IN
formation that there no description OF the clothes
the records.
Could he see the records2
No; they not TO DE seen. The records
cred THIS enid was lett on the night oi December
81 Was his lelt the same mighty IL so this must be
his chlld
These were hard facts to confront on such
and 1t was no wonder that his effort TO recon-
ciic the contradictions he felt tney presente made
HIM nervous aud uncomfortable Presently he reco
lected that Mrs. Little had the enid before was
taken the asylum, he turned 10 her, and, with
some emotion, asked If she would swear that the
chd his wiic mad allowed 10 DC taken 10 the Founding
Asylum nad black halr.
Yes; the cnilds hair was dark; she would swear to
that.
Then in helpless sort Of way, he said, "And this
child has blonde hair.'
Could the doctor nelp unravel the mystery?
No; he had only seen the child Ter moment when
an infant Mr.. Rown WAS sore perpiexed. lie turned
tho Sister again and SAID he could accept this
CHILD his Has child hna dark hair this chiids hair
fair Further than this there resem blaace
between this child and his family 70 confirm this
thought the shape OF the chilts head was likc
Dir. Kown's other children. Tho OF features too
seemed similar. The oars, like those OF Mrs. Rown
small But, TO he frank the general resemblance
was slgnt. anu tho doctor dd soc how under tho
circumstances, MIR. Rown could accept this child as
his own
And would not. ne said He was determined to
have the case investigated, and would apply TO tho
courts 10 hnd out tne truth Meanwhile EDDY re
mains with the Sisters at the asylum, as rosy and
happy US If tho mystery OF Rown's baby had been
made clear to tho entire satisfaction this troubled