Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-08-25
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(Thc original of this translation, by
Mrs. Rosalic Orthcilcr, of Albany, N.
Y, is prize story written for the
Weiner Allgemcinc Ieitung. There
were seven hundred and fifty contribu-
tions handed in, and of these Alexander
V. Roberts "lt' took the first prize,
800 torins. The judges were some of
the most enlightened men of the Ger
man literature rc-Baucrnfeld, Laubc,
Gross and several othcrs.)
Returning from II business trip, l en-
tered my wifc's boudoir, and found her
knecling before u low chair, on which
sat oy-baby with large, round and
wondering eyes. She got up and came
rustling in her silken robe de chambrc
TO meet me. She reached ont her hand
and greeted me not more heartily nor
yet more formally than we were accus-
toned to greet each other in those
days.
"Therc it is,'' said my wife, pointing
TO the child.
.'What?" asked /; but she stopped
down before the little stranger, held n
biscuit close to his little upturned face,
and half turning toward me, replied:
"Well, you know-did we not read of
it in the newspaper? Don't you remcm-
berthe day before yesterday And is
it not beautifulF'
Now | do rccollcct that few nights
before she had held the gazette under
the light of my studcnt-lamp, and
pointing with her finger to an advertise
ment, said TO me: '.Plcasc read that. :"
1t was the wcl-known appeal, the cry
of despair from bleeding heart, ad-
dressed "to good people" A child was
offered for adoption to persons well off
"What would you think of our taking
it?" my wife had said, and 1 had re
turned the paper to her with q shrug of
my shoulders.
.'But Martha, what have You donep"
cried i, in tone vibrating with anger
.'You have really?"-
Certainly, rs you see. And then it
belongs to me; / myself have settled
everything with its poor mother, who is
in reality to be pitied. have sworn to
take good care of it, and so l will
indeed
She took the little head, with its
blonde silk curls. between her white
hands and fondled and carcsscd it. "Is
it not so. liltlc-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 one of those
sighs that sound SO strangely from chill
dren.
Lat once gave up all serious objection.
Had we not been accustomed for years
10 act independently of each otherP Our
marriage was not u 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
beloved one, and in mine glowed q
passion not yet outspoken. But pa
iernal wishes conquered; and so it hap
pened.
At the commencement we were to
each other silent reproach; after
which followed declared war, until
finally we came to polite but gloomy
peace.
To be sure she was beautiful, she was
good and bright and sparkling, Others
called her an angel. And l? Well, |
analysis showed the brightest colors,
years married and had no children. Per.
haps had Heaven sent us them well,
this child belongs entirely to her!
heard later that she had given the moth
er a thousand dollars, the price of n set
of jewels which she had sold secretly.
"Why did you not tell me of itg'
said ], half angrily.
''Because it would have been too late
if had waited for your return to the
city; and besides / wanted to have it
entirely for myself; 1 want to call it my
own,' said she poutingly,
My horses, my dogs; her canaries, her
gold iishes-that l could endure; but
that she wanted to have her child for
herself alone, that was too much for me.
The thought of it tortured me one, two
days long. On the third day, my wife
having gone out in her carriage, there
came a yelled woman and demanded
entrance II was the mother. Like q
shadow she glided into the room, and,
with a half-supprcssed sob, begged Ia
see her child once more. She could moi
part from him forever, without imprint.
ing one more kiss upon his cheek.
opened my safe quickly: "Here, my
good woman" said /, "take that, they
have not given you enough Hottear'
fell down her wan checks; she begged
me not TO Judge her too harshly; she bac
another child, cripple and helpless
she herself was sick and would not liy'
much longer, and what was to become
OF the childrenp Then she thought
myself had finished the sentence, whicl
violent fit Of coughing had interrupt
ed. "Yes." she had thought ~ vii
sell the healthy one, in order that tn
money may help the cripple when l an
dead and gonc.'
No. she must not be judged harshly
we rich ones know but little of the trial
and temptations OF the poor
When my wife returned, gave he
an account of the call had had, addin
that had given TO the unfortunate on
exactly the same amount as she had
"And now" said /, "you see the chill
belongs TO both Of u.s." She bit her Ii
with her little white teeth.
"lt 10 all tho same 70 mo- said shl
kftgf a fnofnOntB rDilgutiOfi, and VII