, 1884-06-19
QUEER WRETCHES.
Parents Who Willingly Give Up
Their Only Child.
They Want to Place Her in a Poor
House,
But Finally Give Her to a Lead
vile Lady.

A Cheyenne gentleman who returned
from Denver yesterday said that, while on
his way to that city, he met a well dressed,
motherly looking woman on the train who
had q little six year old girl with her.
The chiid's countenance wore a very sad
expression and seemed to have lost all the
sprightliness usual to children. The story
concerning the little girl soon transpired.
The lady who accompanied the child was
on her way from San Francisco to her
home in Leadville. At some point west
of Cheyenne a well dressed and respect
able looking man and woman, accompan.
led by a little girl, got on board the train.
The child seemed to be in high spirits
at the prospect of a ride in the cars,
but she received no encouragement in
her rompings from her parent. On the
contrary they made frequent efforts to
suppress her prattle, and every exhibition
of spirit was met by a stern rebuke. The
Leadville lady sat
JUST ACROSS H AISLE
from the couple accompanied by the child
and the little girl was finally attracted to
her side, probably by the motherly smiles
which she showered upon her. Once in
the Colorado woman's seat the child's
confidence was soon obtained by pleasant
words and some dainty fruit from her
hamper. The couple across the aisle soon
noticed the evident interest which their
child had awakened in the bosom of the
Leadville lady and quickly driftcd into
conversation with her. They explained
that the child vas their own, but both of
them hated children and wished to get rid
of the little girl 80 that each
would be more free to pursue his
or her pleasures, The child had for some
months been a drawback to them. Previ-
Gus to hat time it had been in the hands
of a man who had exclusively cared for
her, but the old lady having died they
were obliged to take their daughter in
charge again. Without the faintest ex-
hibition of shame they made known the
fact that they were on their way to Omaha
to endeavor to secure the girl admission to
the poor house or some founding institu-
ton, where she might be cared for with
out any cause of worriment to themselves.
THE coLD-BLooDED RECITAL
of their story fairly shocked the tender
hearted Lcadville lady. She had been a
a mother herself and her last curly headed
little boy was scarcely six months beneath
the sod. As she thought of her darkened
householdth tears came to her eyes. She
explained tothe unnatural parents that she
was a married lady of liberal means
~abundantly able to provide a good home
for the child. If they would resign all
their claim and interest in the little girl she
would take her in charge and rear her as
her own. The man and woman agreed 10
the proposition with a%lacrity, and the
child was formally given into the posses
sion of the Leaiville lady. The party
separated at Cheyenne, the father and
mother continuing their journey eastward
and the Leadville lady switching off to
Denver. The parting of the little girl
from her unnatural parents was hear
rending. She cried as if her heart
would break, and refused to be COM
forted until assured they would soon
visit her again. For their part the par
ents seemed to consider the parting as
quite tedious and altogether unnecessary.
AS THE TRAIN PULLED OUT,
the mother looked smilingly out of the
window at her sobbing child aud said,
pleasantly:
"Bye-bye, Lulu; be sure and be a good
girl"
The train soon carried her out of sight.
The Leadville lady by redoubled atten-
ton endeavored to soothe the sobbing
child, and finally succeeded in doing so.
At the time the Cheyenne gentleman saw
the child she was just beginning to settle
down to the new condition of affairs. She
undoubtedly has a brighter and happier
future before her than if she had never
met the warm-hearted Leadville lady.
Returned for a Time.