The Red Cloud chief., 1882-09-29
ssIT."

(Thc original Of this translation, by
Mrs. Rosalie Ortheiler, Of Albany. n.
l.. Is n prize story written for the
Weiner Allgcmeine Zcitung. There
were v hundred and fifty contribu-
tons handed in. and OF these Alexander
v. Roberts ''It' took the first prize.
300 tlorins. The judges were some oi
tie most enlightened men of the Ger
man literature Baucrnfeld, Laubc,
Gross and several others.)
Returning from n business trip. I en-
tered my wife's boudoir, and found her
knceling before n low chair. on which
sat a boy-baby with large, round and
wondering eyes. She got up and came
rustling in her silkcn robe de cbambrc
to meet me. She reached out her hand
and greeted me not more heartily nor
yet formally than we were accus-
TONED to greet each other in those
days.
'.Thcrc it is" said my wife. pointing
TO the child.
WHAT" asked I; but she stopped
down before the little stranger. held n
biscuit close 10 his little upturned face,
and halt turning toward me, replied:
"Wcii, You know-did we not read of
II in the newspaper: bort you re ncm-
berthe day before yesterday? And is
il No. beautiful"
Now ] do rccollcct that a few nights
before she had held the Ga.ctc under
the light of NV stuIcnt-lamp. and
pointing with her finger TO an ADVERTISE
ment. said To me: Please read that"
Ii was the wcll-known appeal. the CRY
~ lae...- f.nr. kla.En, loot al
dressed ito good people" A child was
offered for adoption TO persons we'll of.
''What would you think of our taking
ftp" my wife had said, and I had re-
turned tho paper to her with n shrug Of
my shoulders.
..But Martha, what have you done?"
cried !. in a tone vibrating with anger.
''You have really?"-
Certainly. as you see. And then it
belongs to me; L myself have settled
everything with its poor mother. who is
in reality to be pitied. l have sworn TO
take good care of il; and SO l Will
indeed"
She took the little head. with lis
blonde silk curls. between her white
hands and fondlcd and caresscd il. lis
it not so. little-you will be loved?"
But the somewhat sickly and delicate
little face showed no signs of under
standing. except that out of the heart
shaped little mouth came n of those
signs that sound so strangely from chill
drcn.
lat once gave up all serious objection.
Had we moi been accustomed for years
10 act independently of ca h other? Our
marriage was not a happy one. although
we had not married for love. During
the noise and hustle OF the crowded ex-
change, our fathers had contracted this
union. She had TO tear her heart from
a beloved one, and in nine glowed q
passion not yet outspoken. But pa
icrnal wishes conquered; and SO il hap
pcncd.
At the commencement we were 10
each other a silent ~reproach; after
which followed a declared war. until
finally We came to a polite but gloomy
peace.
To be sure she was beautiful, she was
good and bright and sparkling. Others
Called her an angel. And 1? Well. l
believe l was no monster, either. The
analysis showed the brightest colors.
still the sun was missing. We Were six
wears married and had no children. Fer.
hsps had Heaven sent ms hem well.
this child belongs entirely TO her! j
heard later that's she had given the moth
er q thousand dollars. the price OF a set
Of jewels which she had sold secretly.
"why did you not tell me OF it?"
said i, half angrily.
because il would have been too late
If 1 had waited for your return to the
city; and besides / wan ted to have it
entirely for myself; 1 want to call it my
own" said she poutingly-
NV horses. my dogs; her canaries, her
gold fishes-that l could endure; but
that she wanted 20 have her child for
herself alone. that was too much for me.
The thought of il tortured me one, two
DAYS long. On the third day, my wife
having gone out in her carriage. there
came o yelled woman and demanded
entrance. 1t was the mother. Like
shallow she glided into the room, and,
with . half-suppressed sob, begged to
see her child N more. She could not
part from him forever. without imprint
Ing one more kiss upon his cheek. II
opened my safe quickly: "Here, my |
good woman" said I, "take that, they |
have not given you enough Hottears
fell down her wan cheeks: she begged
me not to judge her too harshly; she Fad
smother child. . cripple and helpless;
she herself was sick and would not live
much longer. and what WAS TO become
of the children? Then she thoughtII
myself had finished the sentence, which
. violent fit Of coughing had interrupt |
cd. "Yes," she had thought al win
ali thn hnslNhv one in order that the
money may hell the cripple when | am
dead and gone"
No. she must not be judged harshly;
we rich ones know but little Of the trials
and temptations of tho poor.
When my wife returned. l gave her
IN account Of the call ! had hsd, adding
that I had given to the unfortunate ono
exactly the same amount Is she bad
"And now," said /, ~you see the child
belongs 10 both q rs" She biz her Lip
Win .kor littae whiAe teeth
Me4to mz1e TO me-" said shG,
after : WsGl6nsR rg1ecfiou. and Nh
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