Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-04-30
LEFT IN THE LURCH.
A Story in Which the Existence of Cold,
Hard Fact Dispels all Thought of Fic-
tiOn.

ton.
Some months ago a gentleman named
Dickinson arrived in this city from Mon
tory character as to his ability and integ-
rity, secured the position of bookkeeper in
prominent commission house. He was
accompanied hither by his wife, an elegant
and refined lady and two children, a boy
about six years old, and girl half that
age. They took up their quarters at one
| of the hotels, remaining there for some
time. He passed his days in the pursuit
of his business avocations, and his wife
and family in the enjoyment of a felicity
born of generous and agreeable surround
| ings. Everything seemed to "come his
way" to express it, as he is
said to have done, and
each day, as it came and went, marked
strain of perfect melody in the song and
| symphony of life. Prosperous in business,
| his domestic circle containing all that
affords contentment and happiness, occu-
plying position of trust that served as
| the connecting link between himself and
| desirable associations, it is no exaggera-
| ton to say that his sojourn here, for a
period at least, was among the most agree
able episodes of an existence that has
since been shrouded in mystery. In time
he left the hotel at which himself and fam
| lily were honored guests, and availed him
self of the comforts of private boarding
house on Wabashaw street between Ex-
! change and Tenth. He still retained his
place in the commercial house, and all
went well until few weeks back, when his
connection with the establishment was,
for some unexplained reason, suddenly
severed. This was calamity hardly an
ticipated by the victim it is said, and not
having husbanded his resources, the Attic
ton came with almost paralyzing effect.
/ Both he and his wife preserved silence in
that regard, and though their bills were
promptly met, thus in the light of subse-
quent revelations, was circumstance ac-
complished by the hypothecation of their
personal property. He seems to have fail
ed to secure employment, and IN spite of
the outward semblance of cheerfulness on
the part of the wife, it was apparent to
casual observers that something was gnaw-
ing at her heart strings. She rapidly aged,
her smiles gave place to melancholy, and
instead of confiding in those who would
have contributed to their relief, husband
|
and without complaint. One day the
mother descended from her apartment to
the reception room of the housa accom-
panied by her little daughter. She sum
moned her hostess to the room, and after
stating that she proposed leaving the city
for a season, departed with the child. The
husband and son were to remain there
until her return, which would not at the
furthest exceed a fortnight. Days
heightened into weeks, and no reports
were received explanatory of her prolonged
absence, whittier she had gone, or where
she might be. The husband preserved
himself in patience and in silence, giving
10 token of anxiety as TO her fate or that of
MS daughter, and leaving TO gossip and
speculation among those familiar with the
facts, the working out of the problem.
| One night he retired with his son
as calm and complacent to all appearances
as though nothing weighed upon his soul,
as though no hidden sorrow was Juggling
at his vitals. The following morning fail
ing to answer the summons to breakfast, a
servant was dispatched to his room to as
c3rtain if he was sick. Upon reaching
there the servant received no response to
her calls, and finding the door ajar, entered
the apartment to discover the little boy
its only occupant. Returning to the land
lady with the result of her efforts, little at
tention was paid to the circumstance, as it
was thought he had gone out into the city
and would soon return. Failing to do so
by night, some apprehension was express
ed as to his safety and
the authorities were informed of
the occurrence. Nothing came of this,
however, and after three days search it was
concluded that he had followed the mother
who had then been absent some weeks.
This conclusion was four days later con-
frmed by q visit to the house of sister of
mercy, making inquiries as to the latter's
address. She stated during the converse
ton which ensued, that Mrs. Dickinson had
placed her little girl temporarily, in charge
| of the sisters. and unless she was reclaimed
it was the intention of the sisterhood to
care for and educate her to life of useful
ness. TIE condition of affairs was explain
ed to the visitor, and she departed with the
assurance that the little waif would be pro-
tected. With this new revelation the lady at
whose home the family was united and sep
arated, reached the conclusion that the pa
rents haddeserted their offspring, and renew
her efforts to obtain some information as
to where they had gone. Such efforts
were without results and with woman's
sym pathy for the little orphan, she took
him to her mothers heart and adopted him
as her own. 1t is possible that the parents
who have so mercilessly neglected their
children may return, though from present
appearances this does not seem probable.
But in their wanderings through the wild
waste of this life, the reproach of an &C.
cusing conscience will be ever with them,
though they may be consoled by the refec-
ton that the hand of Providence has been
stretched out to guide and protect them
whom they have ignobly deserted.
State of Minnesota Test Suit,