The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-04-04
. TIA Prize Story.

THE following story was written for the
Wiener Alleemeines Zeitung, and took the
prize of 300 forms againsl7jO competitors
Returning from business trip, en-
! tered my wife's boudoir, and found her
kneeling before low chair, on which
sat boy baby with large, round and
wondering eycs. She got up and came
rustling in her silken robe De chombre to
me. She reached out her hand and
greeted me not more heartily nor yet
more formally than We were accustomed
80 greet each other in those days.
There it is, said my wife, pointing
to the child
WHAT" asked I. But she stopped
down before the little stranger, held a
biscuit to it's upturned face, and, half
turning toward me, replied:
"Well, you know--did we not read of
it in the newspaper? Don't you remem-
berthe day before yesterday? Ana, is
it not beautiful? s
Now | did not recollect that a few
nights before she held the Gazette under
the light of my student lamp, and point
ing with her finger to an advertisement,
said to me, "Please read that" 1t was
the, well-known appeal, the cry Of de
spair from q bleeding heart, addressing
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 had returned the
paper to her with shrug of my shout
ders.
But, Martha, what have you doneT'
cried |, in a 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. have sworn
to take good care of it; and so | will in
deed"
She took the little head, with its
blonde, silk, curls, between her white
hands, and fonded and carcssed it. as
it not SO, little one?-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 child
rem.
at once gave up all serious objection.
Had we not been accustomed for years
to act independently of each other?
Our marriage was not happy one, al
though we had not married for love.
During the noise and hustle of the
crowded exchange, our fathers had con-
tracted this union. She had to tear her
heart from a beloved one, and in mine
had glowed passion, not yet outspoken.
But perennial wishes conquered We
chose to be obedicnt children; and SO it
happened.
At the commencement we were to
each other silent rcproach; after
which followed 4 declared war, until
finally we came to polite and gloomy
peace,
TO be sure, she was beautiful, she
was good and bright and sparkling.
Others called her an angel. And /!
Well, believe | was no monster either.
The analysis showed the brightest COZ
ors, still the sun was missing. We
were six years married, and had no chill
dren. Perhaps had heaven sent us
them
/ Well, this child belonged entirely TIC
her! | heard later that she had given
$1,000, the price of set Of jewels which
she sold secretly.
why did you not tell me of it," said
| half angrily.
Because it would have been too late
if had waited for your return to the
city, and, besides, wanted to have il
entirely for myself; want to call it my
own" said she, poutingly.
My horses, my dogs; her canaries, her
gold fishes--I could endure that; but
that she wanted to have her child for
herself alone, that was to 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
a yelled woman and demanded entrance.
1t was the mother. Like shadow she
glided into the room, and, with half
suppressed sob, begged to see her child
once more. She could not part from
him forever without imprinting one kiss
upon his checks. l opened my safe
quickly. Here, my good woman, said
|, take that; they have not given you
enough" Hot tears fell down her wan
checks; she begged me not to Judge her
too rashly; she had another child, q Grip
pie and helpless; she herself was sick
and would not live much longer, and
what was to become of the children
| Then she thought myself had to fin
ish the sentence, which violent fit of
coughing had interrupted. Eyes" she
had thought; 81 win sell the healthy
one, in order that the money may help
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 the poor.
When my wife returned gave her an
account of the call had had, adding
that | had given the unfortunate one
exactly the same amount as she had.
And now" said l, ''you see the child
belongs to both Of u.s. She bit her lips
with her little white teeth.
i 1T is all the same to me-" said
she, after moments reflection, and
with that she pressed tender kiss on the