The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-10-28
A MormER's APPEAL.
ct want Him Because He r. Mfne ~
A hit Of Pathos I'm Court.
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fPhiladelphia Times.j
al want my child; / want him-I want
him because he IL mine." cried Mrs. Bessie
Feaster yesterday, during q hearing IN
Judge Allison's court on a proceeding to
obtain possession Of her four-year-old son,
who had been taken away by her husband.
The little one rested upon its fathers
knee and gazed wistfully up into the tear
wet eyes OF Its mother. Mrs. Feaster tes-
tilted that she and her husband had sepa-
rated five months ago. He had her taken
out OF her own house by two policemen
on the allegation that she was drunk and
disorderlv, and had her put under 1900
bail to keep the peace. When she got
home she found her house in disorder
and the furniture partly packed up.
Her husband said tina. they could no
longer live in peace. He had the house
held articles that she desired sent for
her to the house OF friend. He sent the
rest to his married sisters home, in Cam
den. He, with his child, also went there
TO live. Mrs. Feaster denied that she had
been intoxicated. She said that she was
laboring under nervous excitement, occa-
stoned by the fact that her husband had
been gossipping about her. She testified
that since the separation she had learned
cigar-making as 4 means OF obtaining a
livelihood. She would not ask her hus-
band 10 support her. she said. All that
she wanted was the custody OF her
child. Her husband testified that after his
child was born he, by order OF physi-
clan, furnished his wife with porter and
beer. lie never had had any trouble with
her before, but from that time forward she
had desire for siimulants. She was af-
iected yisibly by even little. She was Of
ten rendered incapable by indulgence from
attending to her household duties. His
own and his chiId's home with his sister,
he said, was very pleasant. The officers
who arrested Mrs. Feastcr testified that she
was Enthusiastically under the influence OF
drink at that time.
Mrs. Feaster produced several neighbors
who testified that in their judgment she
was fit 10 have charge OF the child. Her
counsel explained that few days ago she
had taken pledge to abstain from the use
OF intoxicating liquors OF all kinds.
The Judge thought it best to give child
OF so tender IN age into the custody OF its
mother. lie warned the mother, however,
that il she fell into bad habits he would
take the little one away from her. The
father was given permission to see the
child as often as he pleased. Both OF
you stand up Il moment" SAID the Judge !;
al have word TO say to you" The
estranged couple stood side by side before
! the bar. The child was given into its
mothers arms. The little one wound one
plump arm around the neck Of its mother.
! leaned over and rested the other upon the
shoulder OF its downcast father.
"When you meet" continued the Judge,
ado not keep up your enmity. Let the
past be rs il it had never existed, and treat
each other kindly. 1t may be that coming
| together often before your child you will
not be so keenly alive to each others faults
and will more clearly see each the others
good qualities. Then, perhaps, in little
time YOU will be living together again
peacefully, rs, hope, it may be your plea
sure, and am sure it is your duty to do"
As they turned from the bar the tears
were running down their checks. The
husband kissed the child's upturned face.
The little one chung to his coat, but he put
| it away gently, and as he shook its Fat little
hand he said: Goodbye; goodbye,
now"
"Why good-bye?" asked the sobbng
mother; "you may come TO see the child
any time, Henry; any time at ALL"
The mother, with the little one in her
arms, passed out with half dozen Of her
friends. They were all weeping because
they had won the child. The disconsolate
father and his sister and their friends fol-
lowed them. They were all weeping be-
cause they had lost the little one. The
dozen or more mothers waiting in the
courtroom to tell their own tales OF woe
were Weeping too, as il Mrs FeaSter'.
pretty little baby belonged to each OF them