Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1883-03-31
FIT 4 EDITION,
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A SUIT FOR A CHILD,
An Interesting Case That Will Ia
Heard In Few Days.

Heard In Few Days.
In the year 1880, Mr.. Zachariah Del
niger and Annie, his wife, resided in
Bristol, Pa. They are Germans, and
although belonging to the humber
walks of life, were happy and cont,ntrd
with one exception, and that was thrv
never had been blest with any children.
In the summer of that year, Mrs. Del.
niger visited sister who resided in
Gloucester, N. j., and while there saw
little child nameL May Farrell, the
daughter of young woman named
Susan Atkinson.
Mrs. Delinger was attracted to the
child, and as the mother seemed to look
upon it as an incumberance offered 10
adopt it as her own. Little May was
then three years of age, and the offer
was gladly accepted by the mother, and
on the l4th day Of August, 1880 the
parties appeared before Squire Ellis, of
Gloucester, who made an indenture
which specifies that Zaclariah and
Annie Delingcr promise on their part
to take the child, feed and clOthe her.
and treat her in every way rs though
she was their Cwn, the mother sur
rendering all her right and claim, and
promising never to interfere with or
modest the Dclingers In their custody of
the child.
The Delingcrs returned to Bristol,
and their little home seemed almost
turned into little paradise with the
innocent pralte of the child. ana they
bestowed upon her all parents love.
Last May they removed to this city,
and the father obtained employment at
the Diamond State Rolling Mill, where
he has proved himself an honest, in.
dustriouS, sober man, and everything
went smoothly with them until n Gently,
when Mrs. Dclingcr had some difficulty
with her sister, Mrs. Giberson, who now
resides in this city.
On several occasions since the child
has been indentured to them the mt ther
has endeavored to reclaim her, and two
years ago, it is alleged, threatened I'd
steal her. Since the difficulty betwee,l
the sisters Mrs. Giberson has sworn
ont u warrant before the Mayor.
charging Mrs. Delinger with cruelty
treating the child. This was done with
the expectation that the child would bd
taken from them and placed where the
mother could obtain her. The hearing
was fixed for this morning, and at that
time MIR. and Mrs. Deinger were
present with the little one, now nearly
7 years of age, sitting in the lap of the
one she has learned to call mother, and
clinging TO her rs though fearful slel
was to be torn away.
Levi &. Bird, EST, appeared as til"
counsel for Mr.. and Mrs. Delingcr. The
parties from Gloucester were also there,
and were represented by an attorney
from Camden, n. D., named Waterman,
who after consultation with Mr.. Bird
requested the Mayor to postpone the
case until Wednesday, butt is probable
the charge will be withdrawn,and an ap
plicaion made to Judge Wales iora writ
of habeas corpus to determine who shall
have the child.
After the case was disposed of, a re-
porter visited the residence of the]
Dclingers at 40 Bennett street and had
a long interview with the parties. Onl
entering the little parlor, one of the first
objects that strikes the eye is Il largo
cabinet photograph of May, handsomely
framed and hanging against the wall
Two other likencsses taken at diff
fcrent ages are in a large album on al
center table, and Mrs. Dclinger, as shel
| looked at them with tears streaming
down her cheeks, said, 81 would sooner
they would cut off my right arm than
they should take May, for no mother
ever loved child more than love her. II
The reporter was then taken up stairs tol
Mays play room, which has more the
| - hn, in,
a private house. a miniature table
was filled with Il handsome tea set, and
all around the room were scattered toys
of different kinds.
A small baby coach, containing two
dolls, stood in the room, while in cor
ner was II beautiful Christmas house,
which Mrs Delinger explained, they
used at the holiday season, when May
always has a Christmas tree. In an
swer to ii question by the reporter where
all these things came from, May said,
"papa and mamma gave them to me. y
The man and woman seem devOttdiy
attached to the child, and she in turn
seems to love them with all child'S
love and does not know but what they
are her parents Mrs. Delinger says
that she has corrected her when she
thought il was necessary, but has d"',"
nothing more than any parent wouh
have done under the same Circun-
stances, and it has always hur, h"r
more to administer the correction than
i, did the child to rrccivrit
May is Il bright, attractive child, OF
prrpos>rssing appearance, and whe!
asked by The reporter if she wanted to
leave her parents, promptly answered.
GRO sir" and chung to Mrs. Dcingrrr
rs though she WAS afraid she would be