Arizona republican., 1891-12-04
FIGHTING FOR A BABY.
TWO WOMEN WHO STRUGGLED FOR POSSESSION OF A CHILD.

TWO WOMEN WHO STRUGGLED
 FOR POSSESSION OF A CHILD. One Was the Mother, the Other Had Grown to Be Foster Mother-story of a Mothers Unfortunate Efforts to Provide Home for Herself and Child.
 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 rope for tug of war.
 These three different views describe the spectacle which met the eyes Of pasSersby on Fremont street, in front Of Kings chapel, about half past o'clock on Wednesday afternoon.
 It was noisy incident. The mother had the baby by the legs; the other woman clung to it by the shoulders. Neither would release her hold, and the frightened screams of the child quickly attracted the attention of a crowd
 "I want my child" screamed the younger woman between her gasps for breath, as she rugged away.
 "You shan'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 appearShce 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, which he cut short by inviting the entire party to go with him to Station ?, where matters could be adjusted.
 It was unique party which presently stood before Captain 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, and then mutual and instantaneous ex- plantations began.
 "I want my baty," exclaimed the lit tle woman.
 Well, why don't you pay its board?' retorted the other.
 "I did as long as could" was the re- ply; but you've no right to keep it from me-"
 Well, you've got no right to snatch il from me on the street." was the quick response.
 A MOTHERS STORY.
 Then the captain commanded silence and propounded series of questions, the answers to which revealed one of those little domestic tragedies so con- mon and yet so uncommon, as the pretty little woman told her story.
 A few years ago she married young fellow, who shortly after their union turned out to be 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 end, and kept her eldest 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 three dollars week and her board undertook to clothe her self and her little ones, pay for her room and give two dollars 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 two dollars a week for the little ones board until such time as she should be able to continue it.
 That time has never yet appeared. Her other little one sickened, and her earnings were swallowed 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 HeartbrokGn, but not crushed, the young mother again resumed the battle. She had one still to i've for, although she had been unable Tor the last year and half to do any thing for it.
 MODERN SOLOMON.
 On Wednesday 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 mater nal instinct could not resist the desire to caress those red cheeks, lighted up by & par of blue eyes and crowned with curly, yellow hair.
 She caught the child in her arms and Was about to kiss it, when the Wakefield woman recognized her, and thinking that she intended to take away the baby oyforce resisted to the best of her ability. men the scene on the street ensued.
 The Wakefield woman was then al- lowed to tell her story, which was that 'he mothers statement about placing the enid In her care was true, but that she had received no money for the support ot the baby for the last year and half, and that the little one had so grown into her heart that she wished to adopt it and would give it good home.
 When both the principals had finished Ndptan Hemmenway in few pungent words managed to convey great deal of meaning. He suggested an amicable ad- Ju'tment of the matter, and the child's parent agreed to go to Wakefield next sunday and receive the little one, and to pay Sl,jO out of her three dollars weekly hupend until the board bill of the little one shall have been cancelled.
 Then the Wakefield woman with the OaOy started for home, the little one