The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-01-24
THE BLESSED BABIES.
The Tender Castaways In the city OF
Churches.


The Tender Castawnys In the city OF
Churches.
brooklyn Times.
"Poor thingw is the involuntary excla'
nation OF many reader who lays down
the evening newspaper after reading Oft
finding OF another helpless wall upon q
door step. There is something in the in
cident which touches the popular heart
something singularly pathetic and pitiiul
Few incidents connected with city lie are
possessed Of more melancholy interest
| Il was reported several evenings ago that
an infant but few days old had been
found frozen to death in front Of house
in the Nineteenth ward. The report
was not correct, though it were better,
perhaps, had it been 80. The little
thing was almost dead, button being thawed
out recovered, and now leads cheerful
Lexistence in a battalion Of pauper babies
at the Almshouse nursery. Petted darlings
die every day from singl chilling draught.
On Tuesday evening u little one was found
on Thirteenth ward door step. It was
labeled with letter that had evidently
been written by the mother. The letter
told neither long nor an unusual tale. 1t
told story that is as old us humanannals,
story that reflects no honor on mankind.
She said she was too poor to keep the
child; and Mt the bottom Of the page added,
at mas not been baptized"
1t is probably matter OF some curiosity
with many, what becomes Of these aban.
doned infants. The father abandons the
mother; the mother abandons the child,
Strangers must then do what parental
affection failed to perform. The munich
pality stretches forth its hard, but kindly
hand. The waif is sheltered and clothed,
and is soon blinking and babhling as con-
tentedly as II beneath the roof that saw its
birth. But how does this come about
When the infant is discovered by the SER
want or some returning member oil the
household, there is some excitement among
those who have been honored with the
gift. Perhaps there is some meriment,
perhaps more occasion for compass.
sion. The romantic adoptions mar.
rated in the stories are exceedingly
rare. An Infant whose parents are entirely
unknown, however pleasing for benevolent
contemplation is not generally considered
an inviting subject for adoption. The
theories for .heridity have been reduced
at. very interesting science. Practically
speaking, the first thing done is sending OF
a policeman, or perhaps someone may 90
all the way to the nearest police station
with the unwelcome bundle. Perhaps the
unacknowledgcd infant asserts itself vocif.
erously, without succeeding, rs under more
favorable conditions, in obtaining grip
on that despotic sceptre which falls 10 for
tunate babyhood. No eager father daw-
dies about ready 10 render honors to the
heir presumptive. No chorus OF gushing
aunts sings ardent praise or claim the
priceless tribute oil a smile. The public
may perceive brawny guardian Of the
peace marching in the direction OF the
station with an audible bundle, which he
does not hand over like any other lost ar.
ticle. but having reported, carries ii to the
nearest city nurse. The duty Of the person
authorized by the city to hold such an
office. is to keep the baby over night, feed.
ing it, or "tbawingit out" meanwhile, and
on the following day to carry it
first to the Charities Commissioners office
on Fulton street, and then to the Aims
house at Flathnsh. For this duty the city
nurses receive s. per head, and it is small
enough pay for the trouble that is often
involved. The infants are sometimes de-
Gently clad, being dressed with evident
care-to the mother its gown must seem
like shroud-but oftener the clothing is
scanty and insufficient. sometimes Of the
most meagre sort. The nurse does her
best TO make the young stranger comforts
BILE, and having handed him over in due
time, her work in that direction is Tor the
present finished. .