The Press., 1893-08-17
[We have been assured by parties who know that the story given below is mainly true.l
 (Hartford Times.)
 FREDDIE.
A True Story af a Conn

ago, the doctor living in rural village in eastern Connecticut was requested to at- tend patient a few miles away. The was 10th to give much infor- nation, except that a young woman at his house was in urgent need of physi- elan.
 Hastily making the necessary prepara- tfons, the doctor was soon on his way, and in due time arrived at his destination, a farmhouse in a neighboring town. His team was cared for, and presently he was ushered into a comfortably furnished room in which were two persons-one a lady of about middle age, the other girl not yet out of her teens The younger Wonan was in bed, and it was evident that she was about to fulfill the sentence pronounced against Eve in the sixteenth verse of the third chapter of Genesis.
 During his visit the doctor learned that the younger woman had not lived with her husband for several months, and her present condition was not publicly known. These two, mother and daughter, had quietly journeyed from their home in a distant state, hoping to keep their secret and be able to return without evidence of their real errand.
 As the hour of noon approached a baby boy was born.
 If the child had been born dead, all plans for the future would have been clear, and there would have been no feun- dation for this tale. But that was not to be. If there were any hopes of suchs an occurrence they were swallowed up in dis; appointment. He was alive, and his lungs gave evidence of vigor. -t
 Now, what should they do with him If they took him home with them, all their journeyings and secrecy would go for naught. They must find home for him. The doctor was appealed to. Didn't he know of some one who would take the baby? or, better still, wouldn't he take the child himself? He was assured that if he took the child he should keep it as his own, and no one should ever ask for it or question his right of possession.
 The doctor made no decision, but when his patient was comfortable, went away.
 After his professional duties for the day were done, he and his wife talked it over. They wero young, but well they knew by experience the cares and trials of infancy the way other duties must be neglected by day, and the way that rest must be sacrificed by night. They had one child girl years old. A few months before they had been called upon to part with g baby girl before she had seen her first tirthday anniversary, and more recently had one been born to them that was deao before it's birth.
 They thought of all these things, and g hope that the presence of the little stranger would help dispel some of theil loneliness, decided them to take him.
 The next evening, when quietness rest ed upon the village, the doctor again vis tied his patient. When he returned, at 6 late hour, the baby was with him.
 
 reserve into their hearts and home, ane loved him as their son. From this day forward he was to be their son and theirs alone. ., When it became known that there wal baby at the doctors, Mrs. Grundy wa. deeply concerned. She conjectured al the possible and impossible sources bu the right one, from which the child coult come. It was more than nine days wonder. The doctor offered no explana tion. He had been requested to keep hil knowledge of the case to himself, and h. did so. Probably without the request, pub lie curiosity would never have been satis l fled through him, for he was quiet man and seldom talked of his affairs. Having sympathetic nature, the scenes of humal suffering and sorrow which he, by reasol of his profession, must often see, and tn stern struggles to baffle death, had al ready made him more sedate and thought full than perhaps he might have been fl some other calling. When his patient re covered he rejoiced without any boastfu thoughts of the part he had taken. Whe death gained the mastery he ofttimes wa a mourner.
 The child grew, as healthy childre will, and was comedy of feature and form He was called Freddie. He and the littl girl he called sister became fast friend and were seldom apart
 One night, before Freddie was 3 year old, his foster mother was ill. In tn morning, strong arms held him up befor liner bed, and he reached out his littl hands and cried, "Baby, baby?" H showed no jealousy at finding his plac usurped, but was ever kind to the baby and when she got old enough to sit o the floor, would play with her for hour at time
 When Freddie was years old the tic ings came from his kindred that the must have him back. They had mad requests for him before, but the doctc had put them off. Now they showed determination to have the lad, and tn doctor felt that the evil day could not b longer averted. Even if it was put o now, it would probably come sooner ( later, or keep him in constant turmoi All their fair promises, made that da when he was the most unwelcome thin that could come to them, were forgotten Not merely love for him, now, but r, morse at casting him of, made thel anxious to get him back while he was v, child.
 They were willing to recompense tt
 doctor for his care of the child, and a
 cepted his terms.
 Who will blame the foster parents ar
 say they let the lad go from selflshness Their loss was infinitely greater ths i, thair frain All their hopoo opd oxv,oo%