Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-04-03
AN INFANT INDUSTRY.
People Who Make a Business of "Adopt.
ing Little Castaways.

The number of babies left on door,
steps, and especially of wealthy people
In Pittsburg. is something incredible,
| says the Pittsburg Comnlercial- Gazette.
In fact, person looking at the figures
would come to the conclusion that
there was good deal of system and
method in the plans of those who kind
ly furnish children for those who have
them not. The career of child thus
left is often a checkered one. OF
course, it would not be proper to sup
pose for moment that the babe was
left on the right doorstep. or that any
body in the house knew anything about
it. 1t must be a wait, founding, left
by some bold bad woman who has for
saken it to be rid of the trouble ofrear-
ing it. Generally the policeman is
called for and the bundle packed to the
station-house or some orphan asylum.
and from there to the poor farm. Yet
there are cases in actual life. and not
only in romance, where the baby's in
nocent smile has won it home among
the childless people where it was left.
Upward of fifty waits or babes have
been picked up by the authorities dur
ing the last year and cared for at an
asylum or the poor farm. Most of them
died. The exposure was too great or
the diet did not agree with them.
Many had taints of the diseases of their
prOgenitors, and if they lived long
enough to become three months old
their vitality failed them. Here and
there, as an oasis in the desert, once in
a while a bright little chap stuck it out
and became either somebody's darling
or now waits for adoption.
There are in Pittsburg, although it is
not generally known, several women
who adopt" children. One of these
creatures lives on Second avenue. A
rap at the door of her house yesterday
brought to view portly female with
gray eyes. She was more than polite.
She was courteous. The reporter was
ushered into small room with a desk
in the corner, few chairs, and
screen running across the room, behind
which there might have been most any
thing.
..You take care of babies?n ventured
the reporter.
"Yes, l attend to eases" (She laid
particular stress On the word cases)
Il provide them homes; nice homes
with good people"
"Well, have a friend who wishes
me to call and learn the expense at
tending your charges for 'caseS?'
FIFTY dollars a month board is my
lowest price; 800 Il month for my best
rooms. This includes medical attend
anca"
''Nho is your doctor?'
IAN old man who lives in the neigh
borhood."
But the baby?"
We'll, III get the baby good home
for SlOO."
That's too much"
Cant do it for less. You see, be-
come father and mother of the child.
I'm very fond of babies and very par
ticular where place them. make
point that they receive nice treatment,
and that they are placed with people
who own real estate"
Meantime visions of untold wealth
pouring into the foundling's lap floated
before the reporters vision.
but where are the people who will
adopt the child?" was asked.
''Oh," and she moved her hands in |
general indefinite sort of way, ''why |
n the country in Ohio"
Next in the baby line are the people
Who advertise for "a child to raise"
child to board with reliable lady.