The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-26
A RHODE ISLAND ROMANCE.
A Father Discovers Two Children Who Were
Stolen from Him Twenty-Five Years Ago.

PAwrUcKET, r. l., Sept. pa veritable TO
nance has been brought to light in this city.
After quarter of a century Thomas Clarity,
who has won a fortune in the West, has discov-
cred his two children who were stolen from him
in 1860, and whom he never expected to see
again. His story is remarkable one. About
twenty-five years ago Mr.. Clarity lived in this
town and worked for the firm of a. S. Briggs &
Co., dealers in waste, etc His wife fell vic
tim to consumption and died, leaving two chill
dren upon his hands In proper time after his
wife's death he married again, and soon after,
with his new wife and the two children. moved
to Boston. When out on the street one day with
the children, when the boy was not quite four
years old and the girl was but fourteen months,
he met sister of his first wife, who had evil
IDENTIFY followed him from this town. A few
words of surprise were exchanged, when the
aunt made the request that she might take the
little ones to confectionery store and buy them
some candy. He consented, and said he would
follow them to the store after short time. In
the meantime he would attend to q business
errand.
A few minutes later. when he went to look up
the woman and children, nothing could be seen
of them. They had vanished effectual'y as
though they had been swallowed Mp in the
the aunt and little ones to Pawtucket, and after
ward to Worcester, but there all clews were lost
Mr.. Clarity finally gave up the search, and later
went West having given up all hope OF ever sec
ing again the faces of his little ones. Prosperity
attended his Western life. He became rich, and
with the aid which wealth can give returned to
Boston to renew the search for hts children.
Skilled detectives were employed, and nothing
was left undone which would aid in accomplish
ing his object. Finally Mr. Clarity traced his
dan mol, tar IN poyv rat IA hap ~, host
and mentioned the names Of his children to an
officer, who recognized them as familiar Di-
rected by the officer, after the lapse of quarter
of an hour, the expectant father asked the gate
keeper at the Conant thread works to call Miss
Mary Clarity. Mary is a handsome young
woman, tall and dark -complexioned, and appar
emily about twenty -seven years OK age. She is
highly esteemed, singer in the choir at st.
Marys Church, and is employed in the box shop
at the works.
The stranger moved about impatiently, and
could hardly wait for the girl to appear. Sud
denly the door opened, and at once a light shone
in their eyes that told each of the meeting of
father and daughter. Tears of joy flowed as each
murmured words of thanksgiving, and 1t was
with light and happy heart that Mary tripped
back to her work, and told her shopmates the
glad story of the first sight of her father within
her recollection. She had been taken away by
her aunt. along with her brother and as they
grew in years the abducting aunt had led them
to believe that their father and mother were both
dead The brother, Thomas, is now residing in
Natick. Mass, and by this time, no doubt, is
sharing the joy of the fathers greeting in com
mon with the sister. The son is married, but
the daughter is single. The father is in excel
lent circumstances, and states his intention OF
looking after the interest of his longlost ones.
Although the discovery here was made in the
busy part of the day, his name is known by only
a few, who are pledged to secrecy. The happy
termination of the affair has furnished fund Of
conversation in ali the public places, and the
young lady is besieged with congratulations
daily on her prospect of becoming an heiress.