The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-03-23

/ Iut-
i stopped abruptly, for the num-
J eyes were opened wide in amazemen
at my audacity; and there was ,
warning light in them that filled my
soul with terror. / grew afraid les
she would keep me in the asylum TO-
punishment. But later on in life,
found how groundless were my fears
that orphans were but a drug in thu
market and bidders rare. 1t was set
tied then, that on the following morn
Ing the good lady was to come for me
She would bring, she said, ut apparel
for mine would no do at all. What 6
heroine OF romance l seemed to my
companions for the rest OF that even
ing as they crowded around me. did
not need to be told to thank God fol
having brought me such kind friends
as Mr.. and Mrs. Leroy, for I did
thank Him again and again.
Need l contrast my new life with
the old one? Am equal to the task?
Go ask the pardoned convict to speak
the ecstasy he feels when the prison
gates fly open and once more he
breathes the blessed air of freedom.
Go ask the mendicant whom come
freak OF fortune transports from
penury to wealth. ask him, say. il
mere words can adequately express
| his rapture. Let these give voice to
their Joy; then, and not till then, can
| |.
True, was only child at the time;
but what a life mine had been, shut
up in those gloomy walls. with every
natural impulse OF childhood stifled
by set rules against which there was
no appeal. Housed, it is true, fed,
clothed. But housed by strangers;
fed by charity; clothed in uniform
like the wicked convicts, and our Or
phan badges proclaiming us to all;
outcasts whom the world were better
without.
The years rolled on. I learned to
love my foster parents with g. love
akin to that the Brahmin lavishes on
his gods. And l was all in all to them.
My luxurious surroundings were in
accord with the wealth ofmy patrons,
who were acknowledged leaders in the
select coterie to which they init oduced
me as their daughter, Edna Leroy. l
was courted and caressed by all. for
the opulence OF my putative father
shed halo OF worth upon me. Suit
ors there were in numbers, who pour
ed forth impassioned vows OF fidelity,
and wept that they sued in vain. At
first such scenes were painful to me;
but they soon grew monotonous. And
when | learned what an elastic ais
mans heart is, at best, I wasted no
more time in regret. 1t was as well,
for each disconsolate swain consoled
himself elsewhere.
After long years of waiting, there
came at length, to bless my kind
friends home, a winsome baby boy;
and as / saw the tiny little one nest
ling on his mothers breast, and read
the fond look OF pride in her lustrous
eyes, | knew her brightest hopes were
fulfilled. In vain l looked for some
token OF welcome in the fathers face;
there was, but as there always had
been, shadow as of some nameless
grief. When first he saw his boy; ne
groaned alold, and his face became
ashen pale.
"Ernest!" cried his wife, in re-
proachful tones, as it thus you greet
our babe? You do not love me, I
know it now. You have been foryears
sad and absent. I thought it because
Of our childless lot. Yet now that
our son has come, you turn away
from him. Oh, Ernest, Ernest, how
can live, bereit OF your love!"
Hush, my darling Inez, do not
wrong me thus. Would to God Iloved
you less, then my heart would not be
wrung, as it is now, by that tiny face
80 like your own"
WAITED to hear no more; but crept
away noiselessly. had that morn
ing received a note from Rev. Mother
Jerome, asking me to come to the
asylum without delay, and thither I
made my way. 1t was my first visit
to this haven OF my infancy, and l
trembled as l thought what my life
might have been but for the goodness
Of God. | looked upon the stately red
brick building, much as q traveller
,azes back from pleasant places upon
he rugged portion of the road he has
eft. was shown into the drawing
Dom, the FORTRESS little thinking that
he elegantly apparelled Miss Leroy
vas the quondam asylum dependent
Edna St. Clair.
A moment later, and the reverend
mother came. She spoke to me quite
rs if | were yet but child; questioned
ne as to my welfare during the eight
'ears / had been with my foster par
nts. And then she spoke to me of my
mother dying in the hospital wards |
Eighteen years before, and entrusting |
ne to her care.
"She placed d small package in my |
lands, dear, addressed to you, and |
'ade me keep it for you until the date
7ritten on the outside. 1t will unravel
he secret OF her BIRTH your mother
aid. A moment more and she was
cad. have kept the trust"
From under her cape the nun drew
birth a square, bulky packet and gave
to me. AS | gazed upon the unfa-
,iliar writing OF my mother, my eyes
'ere blinded with tears; for let the
isclosure be what it would, she was
ny mother still. l felt could not
cad the dear words there. Homel
lone!
"Wait, DEAR" and the superioress
rev from out the ample folds of her
lack gown an official looking envel-
pc sealed with red wax. 81 was to
We you this also"
l thanked the good nun and with
rev. AS l re.entered my foster
lother's room, found her with tear.
;ained face, hushing her infant to re-
ose. My foster.father sat white and
lent by her side.
Father! motherl" I cried, rushing
, them. 81 have but just received
lis-the history OF whom and what
am. Let me prove my love, my
attitude, by placing it in your hands
Read it. 1t is but lust
lat you who have done so much for
10, have made me all am, have CIV
l me all l possess, should be the first
, know whomyo have befriended."
Mechanically raising me. Mr.. Leroy
IRE the package open and drew forth
ON golden casket bundle of let
RS faded yellow with age. An agoniz.
e cry broke from his lips, as he turn
them over one by one, and read
Re loving words inscribed thereon, all
pned "En and addressed Tn Edna |