St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-10-03
ALL ABOUT A BABY.
A Crowd ON the Street and a Con-
ference at Station, .

A Crowd ON the Street and a Con-
ference at Station 2.
A mother trying to kidnap her own
child.
Another woman trying to hold the
child for the payment of Board bill.
And two women using the two-year-
old baby in lieu of a rope for tug-of-
war, says the Boston Herald.
These three different views describe
the spectacle which met the eyes of
passers-by on fremont street, in front
or Kings chapel, about 4:30 o'clock
| yesterday afternoon. The mother had
the BABY by the legs; the other woman
chung to it by the shoulders. Neither
would release her hold, and the fright
ened screams of the child quickly at
tracted the attention of a crowd.
Il want my child" screamed the
younger woman, between her gaspS for
breath. as she tugged away.
You sha'n't have her." gritted the
elder lady, as with determined grasp she
maintained her hold upon the little one
Then the crowd grew interested and
took sides, although the weight of SYM
pathy seemed to be with the young
mother, and further complications
might have ensued but for the appear
ance OF PatrOlman Maynes of Station 2.
His arrival was the signal for cessa-
ton of hostilities. The little one was
dropped, and both sides entered upon
voluble explanations, when he cut short
by inviting the entire party to go with
him TO station 2, where matters could
be adjusted.
Ii was unique party which presently
stood before Capt. Hemmenway's desk
the mother weeping and angry, the
other woman flushed and defiant, the
baby frightened and fearful.
The policeman quickly stated the
case, aud then mutual and insIanta-
neous explanations began
Il want my baby" exclaimed the lit
tie woman
We'll, why don't you pay Its board?'
retOrted the other.
Il did as long as | could" was the re-
ply; but you've got no right to keep it
from me-"
We'll, you've got no right to snatch
1t from me on the street," was the quick
response.
Then the captain commanded silence
and prOpounded series of questions,
the answers to which revealed one of
those little domestic tragedies so COM
mon and yet so uncommon.as the pretty
little woman told her fearful story
A few years ago she married young
fellow, who shortly after their union
turned out to be drunkard and
scamp. She lived with him as long as
she could, and then left him to begin a
hard battle for life for herself and her
two little ones.
That was two years ago. She hired a
room on quiet street at the South emo
and kept her oldest child with her,
while her Infant she placed in the care
of a woman in Wakefield, who advertised
to board children.
The mother obtained work in a res
taurant, and out of s. week and her
board undertook to clothe herself and
her little ones, pay for her room and
give 81 a week for the board of her
baby.
For six months she succeeded. Then
brief spell of sickness retarded her
efforts, and she found herself unable to
make all ends meet, so she ceased the
payment of 81 week for the little ones
board until such time as she should be
able 10 continue il.
That time has never yet appeared.
Her other little one sickened, and her
earnings were swallow in bills for
doctors and medicines.
Her brave fight for her child's life was
without avail, however, and a few
weeks ago the little one died. Heart
mother again resumed the battle. She
had one still 10 live fer, although she
had been unable for the last year and
half to do anything for it.
Yesterday afternoon she saw her baby
going down fremont street in the care
OF the lady with whom she had placed 1t
two years ago, and the maternal instinct
could not resist the desire to caress those
red cheeks lighted up by pair of blue
eyes and crowned with curly, yellow
hair.
She caught the child in her arms and
was about to kiss it when the Wake
field woman recognized her, and, think
ing that she intended to take away the
baby by force. resisted to the best of
her ability.
Then the scene on the street ensued.
The Wakefield woman was then al
lowed 10 tell her story, which was that
the mothers statement about placing
the child in her care was true, but that
she had received no money tor the sup
port of the baby for the last year and a
halt and that the little one has so
grown into her heart that she wished to
adopt it. and would give it good home.
When both the principals had fin
iehed, Capt. Hemmenway in few pun
gent words managed to convey great
deal of meaning. He suggested an am
icable adjustment of the matter, and
the child's par mt agreed to go to
Wakefield next SUI day and receive the
little one. and to pay $3.50 out of her So
weekly stipend until the board bill of
the little one shall have been cancelled.
Then the Wakefield woman with the
baby started for home, the little one
gazing with wondering eyes over the
shoulder of its bearer at its mother, who
with red eyes and sorrowing heart.
turned her steps in the opposite direc-
ton.
Goodness Itc DUN Rnunrd