The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1882-12-14
THURLow WEEDS ADOPTED CHILD.
A Dcmesiic Romance ms Narrated in 1879 by
the Veteran journalist.

/ called upon Mr.. Weed, yesterday, and fOund
him once more up in the little library room,
down stairs, near the front door, where lie loves
10 stay. lie was lying on the lounge, and his
faithful daughter sitting near, reading to
him the morning news. took the offered hand,
and announced my name to him, for tho veIera-
Bile man can no longer see his visitors. lie was
very pale, and apparently feeble; the pink had
all fled from his cheeks, and the light from his
face.
WELL / am through another hot summer"
said he, lint did think il would kill me this
time
Miss Weed said he suffered extremely during
the hottest weather, but was now gaining fast
my mind reyerts more than 10 the old,
old times" he said, drawing his hand over his
dim orbs, thOushtfuly.
Father has been thinking about Mary good
deal for the last few days" said Miss Weed
Her life seemed strange aud beautiful,
Harriet, rs look back at il ;" said the old man.
at is of the pleasantest of my recolectons."
Miss Weed began to explain briefly to me that
Mary was his adopted daughter, who died some
years ago. when her father said, if would like
to hear the story, he would tell il. | assured
him, and he began:
Zone day, in the winter of lSI5, while was
in barber shop in Albany | heard that n
writing master named Chapman had been found
dead in his room, and that his daughter, aged
two years, had been alone with her dead father
for several hours Chapman was dwarf of
Incorporate habits, well known in Albany. The
Eext morning. Ii was a sad ease, and muged
my sympathies deeply. I mentioned it to my
family, at the tea table, without manifesting
any FEELING, but saw at that my wife and
children shared my interest, and when was
leaving the house. half an hour later, my daugh-
ter stood at the hall door, and said: Il will go
with You, father She right in her guess.
Arriving at Mrs Wonley's, where the waif was
temporarily lodged, found the child, and she
came 10 me readily and sat on my knee. |
ii Il, l.l,.
spoke up. Yes, sir'-I remember her sweet voice
now. Well. we took her home, and | never
think of her without feeling sure that bless
ing went into our house with that child We
were all made happy by her artless ways, and
by the development of her rare and beautiful
qualities. From two years old, when she came,
she grew up very bright aud a.ood-at home, at
schual; with children, with adnlts--everywher
she was universal tavorite. Long before chill
dren generally think of anght but hring cared
for, she hepfnl-careful for herself and
thoughtful and painstakin. for Others. Before
she was five years old, she had the care Of her
own wardrobe, keeping everything sysiemat-
ically in order, and watching for opportunities
10 assist her mother and sisters-for she was
now one of us. She was always perfect in her
lessons. When she was seven, she said she
wanted to make shirt for me; she made il ell
tirely without assistance Of any kind, and il was
well done that it was sent to the fair of the
American Institute, in New York. where a sill
yer medal was awarded to her for the best speci-
men of plain needle work. We all became fond
and founder of her, year after year, anSinns
only about her hralth. In October, ISIS. from
the effects Of a cold that settled on her lungs,
she died.
The old man turned over ON the lounge, and
drew long breath, while Miss Weed went to
drawer and brought forth the treasured medxl
Of bright silver.
at was a heavy bereavement to u.s." he con-
tinued. Hearing that Mary had brother in
SOnth Carolina, we went there, and. oddly
enough. the first man | met had adopted the
hoy, whom his mother had lef, them, some
eighteen or nineteen years before. lie had been
adopted by gentleman there, hat was now in
his third year in the South Carolina College,
having gone there from the orphan school,
where be won the scholarship for personal mcr-
il. He resemhlrd our lost daughter very strong
ly. At our solicitation. he visited uS in Albany,
during the summer and took him to see
Niagara. He took cold under the fall, and Ec-
ing lrail like his sister. he died and laid him
by her side. in November.
.'During the following SIMMER, while travel
ling in France. became acquainted with 4
Captain Pagent. of the British navy, at the
table dhote. We had met Mary's
mother, but we knew from Others that she was
a lady of Refinement aud rducation. and agreed
bile manners, and that her mai,lrn name was
isabella Shore. Cnrinns!y euongh, Captain
Pagcot knew her WE'LL and told us her story.
She was one OF three daughters of highly re-
spectacle family in England, aud she formed
strong attraction for yoaug officer in the Brit
ish army. Her family oppnsed the marriage.
His regiment was ordered TO India, whittier she
followed. On her arrival at Calcutta. his regi-
meut hal been ordered 800 miles into the interi-
or, whittier she also went. but Us they were he
ycnd the range of civilization marriage
could lie solemnized, and before the regiment
could lie relieved, the young man killed in
battle. She returned a. govcrn-ss for a Danish
merchant. and from Copenhagen sailed to the
Danish West Indies. as houseserper for Govern
Won Scholfrn. and there Captain Pngeot
heard that she married and went to the United
States. We have never ceased to mourn for
Mary. She child of transcendent qua.i-
ties. aud of that selfdsnying and helpful spirit
often possessed by those not long for earth"
The old man wiped his eyes. and lay down
npon his pillows 10 mourn anew over the old,
eyer-tresh grief