The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1879-06-26

Journey 10 the racine Win ner EuSDanu,
where he proposed engaging in grape
culture and wine-making, of both of
which arts he had practical knowl-
edge.
The nurse consulted her friends. SIP
could induce no one of them to adopt
the child. As last resort, she was ad-
vised to confer with the overseers of the
poor of the town. These, finally, after
much grumbling, consented to the waif
being entered as boarder in the Pauper
Home for Children, under the name of
Gilbert Lewis.
When young Lewis had grown old
enough, he was placed in the care of
a farmer, who found him very robust
for his years, very intelligent, docile and
industrious. The boy became q favorite
with his masters household He was
found to be particularly daring. Asa,
horseman he was without his peer among
those of his years. And, on more than
one occasion, when forced to it by the
taunts of his comrades, he compelled re-
spect by the skiliful manner in which
he could ply his fists, whether acting
on the defensive or the offensive. The
boy had proved himself hero where
heroism was worth something.
At fire which had occurred at far
mer's house near that in which he lived,
he rushed into the midst of the flames,
where no other had dared to enter, and
succeeded in preserving from terrible
death little child and an old woman.
And yet Gilbert Lewis, now in his six
teenth year, was on the town register as
4. a pauper!
OF himself he knew nothing. He had
no recollection of the sumptuously at
tired woman who had claimed him as
her own. He did not even indulge in
dreams of ambition-of what "might
have been.' Born to plod, he had but
little ambition beyond his duty as a
farmers boy. He was simply, to him
self, Gilbert Lewis-nothing more.
When old residents spoke to him of his
first appearance among them he could
not realize it.
How could he? The brand of the
pauper had been on his brow ever since
he could recall the remotest incident in
his young life. He could not even
dream that he had at any time been the
child of luxury. Yes, it was fortunate
fershim that he could not realize the
past of himself.
But what had happened to the
madame? 1t was not until toward the
close of the Rebellion that she could
succeed in getting out of the Confeder-
acy. Then it was only by " running the
blockade" that she got beyond the be-
leaguered lines.
From Nassau she proceeded to Eng
land. Thence she sailed for st. Peters
burg. There she had hoped to rejoin
her husband French nobleman of the
ancient regime, for marrying whom she
had been disowned by her family be-
cause of his poverty. instead, however,
of finding the father of the boy who was
being cared for by the poor-master of
Tarrytown, she was burdened with a
corpse. Her unfortunate husband had
committed suicide the day preceding
her arrival.
Anxious about her child, she wrote
to Matilda Weber, the nurse. No
answer was received by her from this
woman. Next, she wrote to the Consul
General, requesting him to inquire if
any knowledge of her child could be OBJ
tanned.
Meantime she contracted second mar
riage. She became the wife of Rus
sian gentleman of, the highest rank.
Her second union gratifed her family.
A reconciliation was effected.
Only one thing remained to complete
Madame Chausse-D Denias-P PotowsH' hap
piness. This was the recovery of her
son.
Her husband, being made acquainted
with the facts, became greatly inter-
ested. He proposed a second visit to
the United States.
While preparing for the voyage to
New York, the Russian Minister at
Washington was advised by the I'm.
perial Council AT St. Petersburg of the
desire of the lady. He was invited to
tender her every assistance on her ar
rival. Her husband was authorized to
call at thesLegation.
The Consul General was not idle,
meantime. He sYmpathized with the
madame. That there might be no i'm
pediment in the way of the restoration
of the boy to his mothers heart and
arms, detectives were employed to as
certain where the nurse was, as it was
assumed that she had taken the child
with her, and was still caring for it.
Fifteen years had elapsed since this
woman's marriage and departure. She
was communicated with. Her response
was that she had given the child into
the care of those who had charge of the
poor of Tarrytown. The poor-mastel
who had received it was not living.
The nurse had written that the child
had been entered under the name ot
Gilbert Lewis. A cursory examination
of the town books was sufficient to show
that he had been in the Home for Chill
dren 1t was further ascertained tina
at the age of ten years he had beer
placed in the care of farmer in West
chester County.
Thus far his life had been traced
Upon calling on the farmer, he at ono
declared that stout, good-lookin!
youth of between sixteen and seventeen
years, who was standing by his side, wa
the boy whom he had taken from tn
Home to the farm; that when he re
ceived him he was told his name wa
Gilbert Lewis; that by that name b
had for seven years, nearly, called th
lad, and by that name he invariably wa
answered.
There was yetroom for doubt. Th
Identification was incomplete.
, Was he the boy who, as an infan
| had been placed in the Pauper Hon
= for Children ? Was he the hoy who,
: a babe, had been put in the care {
5 Matilda Weber, when the woman WI
l gave it in her charge left for the pu
r pose of attending to business in Phil
3 delphia? In fine, was he the child
the man who had committed suicide
: who was the first husband of MADAM
, Chausse-Denias-P Potowski?
l The nurse. Weber, had written in h,
| letter that the child could be easi
1 identified. On his left foot he had b,
!. four toes. There was a rudimental
: toe where the fourth toe should ha,
grown.
1 The boys left foot was stripped
| shoe and stocking. The woman's stat
a ment was verified. The fourth toe w
3 defective-rudimentary.