The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-03-01


written for the Hier<r ARgrm,ime Zti.npg. There
were $50 contributions handed In and of these VI r
judges were some OF tho most enlightened mon of
herman llterature-Bauerfcld, Liable Gross and
erts
Returning from a business trip, enter.
ed my wife's boudoir and found her
kneeling before a low chair, on which
sat n boy baby with large, round and
wondering eyes. She got up and came
rustling in her silken robe de chambre to
'aee: me. S'is reached out her hand ard
greeted me not more heartily nor vet
more formally than we we're accustomed
to greet each other iu those days.
There it is, said my wife, pointing to
the child.
"What?" asked l. But she STONED
down before the little stranger, held a
biscuit to its upturned face, and half
turning toward me, replied:
well, you know-did we not read of
it in the newspaper Don't you remem-
Der the day before yesterday And is it
not beautiful"
Now ] did recollect that few nights
before she held Gazette under tho light
Of my student lamp, aud, pointing with
finger TO an advertisement, sRid TO NE,
PLEASE read that" 1t was we'll known
appeal, the cry of despair from g bleed.
ing heart addressed to good people," A
child was offered for adoption to persons
we'll of: "What would you think of our
taking iii" my wife had said, and | had
returned the paper to her with shrug of
my shoulders.
But, Martha, what have you done ?"
cried l, in tone vibrating with anger.
You have really"
Certainly, as you see. And then it
belongs to me; | myself have settled
everything with the poor mother, who is
in reality to be pitied. I have sworn to
take good care Of it; and so / will in.
deed.h
She took the little head, with It's blonde,
silk curls, between her white hai.is, aud
fondled and caresSed it. "Is it not 80,
little one f-you will be loved7"
But the somewhat sickly and delicate
little face showed no signs Of understand.
ing, except that out of the heart-shaped
little mouth came one OF those sighs that
sound so strangely from children.
l at once gave ~ all serious obec.
ton. Had we no n accustomed for
years to act independently for each 9TH
er! Our marriage WAS not very happy
one, although we had not married for
love. During the noise and hustle of
the crowded Exchange our fathers had
contracted this union. She had to tear
her heart from beloved one, and in
mine had glowed passion not yet
outspoken." But parental wishes con.
quered. We chose To be obedicnt chill
dren; and 40 it happened.
at the commencement we were to each
other silent reproach; after which
followed declared war, until, finally, we
came to polite but gloomy peace.
10 be sure, she was beautitul-she was
good and bright and sparkling. Others
called her an angel. And I? Well, 1
believe was no monster, either. The
analysis showed the brightest colors
still, the sun was missing. We were six
years married and had no children.
Perhaps had Heaven sent us them
Well, this child belonged entirely to
her. heard later that she had given
81 900, the price of set Of jewels which
she had sold secretly.
"Why did you not tell me of it?" l
raid, half angrily.
Because 1t would have been too late
if I had waited for your return to the
city and, besides, l wanted to have it
entirely for myself; want to call it my
own" she said poutingly.
My horses. my dogs her canaries, her
gold tishes-I could endure that; but
that she wanted to have her child to
heraelf alone, that was too much for me.
The thought of it tortured me one, two
days long. On the third day, my wife
had gone out In her carriage: there came
veiIed woman and demanded entrance.
1t was the mother. Like shadow. she
glided into the room, andtwitn halfsup-
pressed sob, begged to see her child once
more. Shecould not part from him forever
glthout imrric!iag ane more kiss upon
his cheeks. Iopened my safe quickly.
Here, my good woman" said I, "take
that; they have not given you enough"
Her tears fell down her wan cheeks she
begged me not to judge her too harshly
she had another child, cripple and
helpless she herself was sick and would
not live much longer, and what was to
become of the childrenY Then she
thought myself had to finish the SEN
tencc, which violent fit of coughing
had interrupted. "Yes," she had
thought: 81 will sell the healthy one in
order that tho money may help the Grip
pie wher am dead and goue."
No, she must not be judged ha1shly !;
we rich cncs know but little of the trials
and temptations of the poor.
When my wife returned gave her an
account OF the call had had, adding that
l had given the unfortunate one exactly
the same amount as she had. "And
now" said l., you must see the child
belongs to both Of us."
She bit her lips with her little white
teeth.
1T ia ali tho same to me-" she said
with q moments reflection and with
that she pressed tender kiss on the little
boys mouth. It sounded almost like a
challenge.
"Our child " scarcely ever saw it.
And the changes that were made in our
household for his sake were made entire
!ly without me. Sometimes, after the
most important things we're decided, my
consent was then asked. "We are
obliged TO have nurse; hired one,
Anselm." nodded silently. We must
fix up tho nursery, that room is too warm
for the child" I nodded silently, but
heard the sound of the workmen who
were already ut work in the hall. What
could ! do better7. Was it not all done
for our child /?
f! My wife aud l did not talk much about
the child, and when We did mention it we
used only the name 1T" Bet this "It'
conla be heard through the house Mt al
most any time Of the day.
"Hushi not 90 much noiae It sleeps I
It must have It's dinnerl It should be
taken out for a drive! 1t has hurt
itselfW and 81 the whole house began 10
knrn ro,pI our TIL.