Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-11-08
A STRANGE EPISODE.
Two Women the Actors In an
Unusual Transaction.

81. Louis Chronicle.
The Health Commissioners Office in
the CITY Hall was to-day the scene OF an
episode Of more than ordinary interest,
and one which challenges belief.
A neatly attired lady, with q veil
drawn tightly across her face, called at
the office and inquired for Mr.. Francis.
After being informed that he was
absent. by Mr.. j. j. Fitzwilliam, the
chief clerk, she said:
Has the ambulance from the female
Hospital arrived YETI?
"No madame. it has not"
"well, then, will wait for it il you
will permit me to do SO.
Certainly madam. Walk in this
yay and be seated. You will not have
long 10 wait. Were you expecting any
friend?' said Fitzwilliam, in tone and
manner of enc fearful of being thought
inauisi,ive, as the lady took the profier-
ed chair.
mot exactly friend" she replied,
lifting her veil and exposing naturally
handsome face, which was just then
animated bv handsome smile, "but L
am II me, a woman here from the hos
pital who is to give me her baby. It's
only three weeks 81 |, and pretty little
girl it is, too. =.
Fi,zwilliam is father, AMI to say that
he was highly sstonished is to put 1t
mildly.
In time the ambulance arrived, as
also did the mother and her babe.
When the two women met, but a slight
nod of recognition passed between
them. The sileLce was broken by the
Clerk, who said
"llere is the baby"
"Ain't it a sweet, pretty darling" ex-
ultinyly exclaimed the mother to-be.
The real mother held it up, and look
Ing at it sadly, murmured:
"Ihate TO part with 1t.
Then kissing it once only she profier-
Ell it to the other, who pressed 1t to her
lips in JOY as the mother said:
Take il and be good il"
"That will, indeed; you may de-
pend upon that"
The mother then give her the nursing
bottle, when she asked:
GLOW is the milk prepared?
"By boiling it and then letting 1t
cool"
"Don't YOU put water To II?
"No, Just simply milk"
al have heard Of rice water being fed
10 babies. Did YOU thy it?'
Nothing has ever been given her but
boiled milk"
A short pause OF embarrassment here
ensued, when the real mother sail,
",iood-bv." md walked away. She was
pale looking, and evidently not very
strong. Her features gave evidence oil
yuu,h and beauty. but her bearing was
not indicative OF refinement or educa-
ton.
The new mother retained her seat and
fondled the child with "a much affection
as though il were her own. She re-
marked that she desired To allow the
mother sufficient time to get away from
the building, rs she did not want To be
followed by her, or have her know
where the child's new home was. In Il
few minutes the bona tide mother re-
turned, approached MIR. Fi,zwilliam,
asked for and received two ear tickets,
and then walked away without casting
even one look or glance toward the babe.
shortly after the babe and Its new
mother went away in Il carriage.
These two women are total V unknown
10 each other by name. Only the
proper officials know the mother by
adoption, add they are satisfied oil her
responsibility and competency to po,
vide the child with 4 good home. VIII
the mother and child ever meet again!