The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-11-13
"BREAD UPoN THE WATERS
STORY OF A BOY ORPHANED By
THE YELLOW FEVER.

AN AIT OE dUMANA1A DA no "A0 0A.AS
SAVES THE BOY FROM BEING A
HOMELESS WANDERER -
THE TESTIMONY OF
A WATCH.
Brief mention has been made in
the newspapers Of San FranciscoAand
Chicago Of the case Of little boy
who had been orphaned by the gel.
low fever in New Orleans, and
through the instrumentality OF the
Masonic fraternity, sent to his
friends in Oakland. A representa-
tive Of the Tribune this morning
called upon Mr.. and Mrs. Geo. Cary;
grand parents Of the boy, and from
them learned the history Of the case,
which presents curious and inter-
esting combination of circumstances,
with an. inclination to the romantic.
It appears that last year Mrs. VII
cox, the widowed mother of the boy
whose name is Walter Cary Wilcox
v as at hotel in one Of the Florida
watering places, having her son with
her. While there, there arrived an
invalid gentleman from Chicago
named Pratt, who was in a very fee
BILE condition. Mrs. Wilcox noticed
that he was not properly cared for by
the negro servants Of the house, her
womanly sympathies were aroused,
and she voluntarily undertook the
care Of the then dying man. She
observed indications that her charge
was Mason Of high standing, and
being somewhat familiar with their
methods, her husband having been
a member of the fraternity, she al
once notified Judge Dorking, lead
ling Mason Of the Town, and he res
pended in person and with physi-
clan. It was too late, however, and
although everything that the circum'
stances. permitted was done for the
unfortunate stranger, he continued te
sink, and in few days died, Mrs
Wilcox, the Judge aud the physician
keepingsuatch by his bedside unit
, the death angel released them from
further duty. During his lines
Mr.. Pratt had been attracted to Wal
D ter, and on the night of his dealt
E asked that he be brought to his bed
E that he might see him once NOR NOR
( and bid him goodbye. The Mason
a Of Chicago were notified OF M
o Pratt's decease, and they remove
eI the remains to the Lake City. AS
s recognition Of the kindness an
b Iservices of Mrs. Wilco,
b they presented her with q gol
g watch, with a brief mention Of ID
]. circumstances engraved upon th
e care. This watch was destined
l. play an important part in the famil
l. history. Mrs. Wilcox removed
d New Orleans, and in April last vi
n again married. Her husband lie
l. soon after on a business trip to III
e. vana, where he took the yellow feve
Soon after the pestilence appeared
New Orleans, and little Walter VI
- among the earliest to fall before !
= blighting breath. He passed u
~ crisis successfully, however, 81
" slowly wore aware the disease,
- though he is not yet fully recovere
pe The constant watching by his be
NO side and the anxiety Of having b
20 husband sick at Havana, was I
: much for the wife and mother, q
~ when the scourge seized her she COZ
~ not resist, and died in three days.
20 After her death an examination
ne her effects revealed the watch. !
=. inscription upon the case was cal
'nu to the attention Of the Masonic I
'ps ternity, and led to the prompt
- sumption Of the care of the orphan
10 boy, and his removal to Chica
'ne where he now isrecruiting his hea
and strength for the journey to Q
e'e land, in which he will be accom-
~ MED by Masonic representa-
ls and where his grandparents will
lleve the fraternity from further
or responsibility. He is expecte
Da arrive here ia aboutstwo weeks.
;, will be Ave years old in JAM
I, next. The watch is on its way
'As, express to Mrs. Carey, and it wi
, ), preserved for the future years Q
tie Walter, whom it rescued
among the homeless waits Of a
' city and restored to generous
- warm hearted friends. - Oal
out r.an;nc Tr;hnne
elf -......
very --THERE is many a soul tru
rank -. A-:xl.