The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-11-10
A STRANGE EPISODE.
Two Women the Actors in an Unusual
TransactIOn.
[st. Louis Chronicle.l


[St. Louis Chronicle.l
The Health Commissioners Office in the
City HAN was to-day the scene of an episode
of more than ordinary interest, and one
which almost challenges belief.
A neatly attired lady, with a,yeil 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 yet?'
"Ne madame, ii has not"
"WelI, then, 1 win wait for it If you will
permit me to do so.'
''Certainly, madam Walk in this way
and be seated. You will not have long to
wait Were you expecting any friend?'
said FitzwilliaIn, in tone and manner of
one fearful of being thought inquisitive, as
the lady took the proffered chair
mot exactly friend" she replied, lifting
her veil and exposing naturally handsome
face, which was just then animated by a
handsome smile, "but | am to meet woman
here from the hospital who is to give me her
baby. It's only three weeks old, and a
pretty little girl il is, too"
Fitzwilliam is a father, and TO say that he
was highly astonished is TO put il mildly.
In time the ambulance arrived, as also
did the mother and her babe. When the
two women met, but a slight nod of recogni-
ton passed between them The silence was
broken by the Clerk, who said:
Here is the baby"
"Ain't it a sweet, pretty darling" exult-
ingly exclaimed the mother-to-be.
The real mother held it up, and, looking
at it sadly, murmured:
''I hate to part with II"
Then kissing it once only. she proffered it
to the other, who pressed it to her lips in
Joy as the mother said: .s.
7 'sTake il nd be good to it," rr
"That will, indeed; you may depend
upon that" .ra.-
The mother then gave her the nursing
bottle, when she was asked: frl
"HOw is the milk prepared
''By boiling it and then letting il COO"
Don't you put water to it?''
''NO, just simply milk" 20 lq.r l1
81 have heard of rice water being fed to
babies; Did you try it?' al
>.Sothing has ever been given her but
boiled milk" ,.f..e r...I
A short pause of embarrassment here en-
sued when the real mother said ''Good-by,"
and walked away. She was pale looking,
and evidently not very strong. Her features
gave evidence of youth and beauty, but her
bearing was not indicative of refinement or
education t.-.tI.r. ,ar
The new mother retained her seat and
fOndled the child with as much affection as
though it were her own. She remarked
that she desired to allow the mother sutfi-
cient time to get away from the building,
as she did not want to be followed by her,
or have her know where the child's new
hsme was. In few minutes the bona fide
mother returned, approached Dir. Fitzwill-
lam. asked for and received two car 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 a carriage. ,r.f ~ ~.
These two women are totally unknown to
each other by name. Only the proper Off
cia6 know the mother by adoption, and
they are satisfied of her responsibility and
competency to provide the child with good
home. VIII the mother and child ever meet
again. rrfr1 i'