The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-10-24
Author Of John Halifax :"

Those who admire John Halifax
and its companion novels. will be inter
ested IN knowing that the authoress has
quite a romantic history Of her own.
She was born at Stoke-upon-T Trent,
Staffordshire, in the year 1926. and was
engaged to be married in her youth to
gentleman whose business made il
necessary for him to quit England On
his retun from the voyage they were to
DC united. All promised we'll, and
when the news came that the ship was
returning in safety, with joyful heart.
Miss Mulock and her mother went to
the wharf to welcome as in MY Mother
and l" the successful merchant. The
vessel came in sight. and OH the deck
stood the young man, who appeared
overloyed TO see awaiting him the be-
loved of his heart. They exchanged
greetings and mingled with the crowd,
he hurried to be the first to land; but
as he was on the plank his foot slipped
and he fell into the water and was
drowned before her very eyes.
For long time Miss Mulock coulc
not occupy herself with anything but
at last her friends induced her to write
for consolation in her great sorrow, and
she sent out "John Halifax" which es-
tablish9d her reputation and absorbed
her thoughts
Time passed on. but she never
swerved in her allegiance to her
drowned lOve-but after wears had
elapsed there was a terrible railroad ac-
cidcnt in her neighborhood, and she
was active III ministeripg to the
wounded, and one young man was
brought to her house. and for months
she narsed him and he recovered. bnt
lost one Of his limbs, and also his heart
to his kind friend. ALI his entreaties
made no impression, as Miss Mulock
said she would never marry; but he re-
piled that If he waited ten years she
should he his wife; SO, with the charac-
teristic firmness of woman, after u
year she became Mrs. George Lille
Craik. and happy wife she is, al
though twenty yc"Ie uiicr sh". h~s
husband. The blessing of children is
denied them. but Providence gave them
ample satisfaction for that regret.
One morning Mrs Craik was walk
ing out. aud found q little baby lying
in the roadside, forssken by its mother.
A basket Of linen was beside it which
Indicated that it was not of poor
parentage. She stopped to look at it.
and then began to long to have it for
her own. She ran home to her husband
and told him, aud made him, though
reluctant, accompany her back. and
there it still lay smiling and growing
and his heart was touched by the help
less little child, and he was as eager ss
his wife to take it. AS founding babies
are not generally the most coveted of
possessions. there was no opposition to
their wishes, and they carried the wee
daughter home and christened her
Theodore. Mrs Crsik is devoted to
her, and 70 party is so delightful to
her that she does not see her treasure
safe in bed, after saying her prayers
before she goes, aud she seems to think
that in the crowd that surrounded the
little stranger. the mother was looking
to see who would take her little one.
Mrs. Craik still preserves quaint
old-fashioned dress, with its body gath
cred at the shoulders. and coming to
point ct the waist. When asked to
sing she complies readily, and gives an
old-time ballad. with u simple accom-
paniment. In 1864 Queen Victoria
bestowed on the gifted authoress .
literary pension of sixty pounds per
annum.