The morning call., 1893-09-10
THE BABY GREW DARKER.
Old Aunt Dinah Did Not Make a
Mistake.
Brooklyn Es gle.

Hugh Skelley of Farmingdale. l.. l.. ls
young 1rish-American. He IS 80 years OF
age and is employed in the pickle-saltlng
establishment here.
About five years ago he married Farm
ingdale girl five years his junior. and
built pretty cottage, in which they have
since resided. Skeley is of thoroughly
domestic turn of mind and fond of chill
dren. That his home had never been
blessed by the advent of a little one was
matter of sincere regret to him. Last spring
ic was decided that Mrs. Skelley should go
to some of the New York institutions and
select baby for adoption.
She accordingly visited Mrs. Sharpe,
midwife at PIG East Twenty bird street.
New York. Mrs. Sharpe had quite an ar
ray of babies in stock. as she expressed it.
but all save one we're boys. Mrs. Skellev
had fully decided upon a girl. and looked
Kindly upon the infant of years which
Mrs. Sharpe assured her weuld develop
into charming child. although it then
weighed but two and half pounds.
The infants somewhat somber shade
was commented upon by Mrs. SkelIey, but
this, Mrs. Sharpe Informed her. was per-
fectly natural. "All young babies are
discolored." she said; ''lhe child's mother
is beautiful young German girl Of II
and its father who Is 90 is one of the
handsomest and wealthiest men ID New
York"
Upon these assurances Mrs. SkelIey took
the child home ana for six months has
given 1t mothers care. Its large, wnn-
dering dark eyes captivated Mr.. Skelley and
the neighbOrs who FASTENED to paw their
respects to the newcomer participated il
a modified degree in the happin ess of the
household.
By several the dark complexion of the
babe was remarked. but Mrs. Skeiey in
hi tszsA.
ing the child by explaining that it was nf
Spanish parentage and it would naturally
be Of dark com pleXiOn.
In course of time the little tufts of
silken hair sproutng from its head grew
kinky. Mrs. Skelley became alarmed lest
she had been deceived
The climax was capped when some daVS
ago an old Southern negress, famiIiary
known about Farmingdae as ''Aunt
Dinah." went TO the Skelley house to
wash.
Aunt Dinah is fond of babies and asked
to hold the little one while the family were
at dinner.
This was Aunt Dinah's first look at the
child, and when it was handed over to her
she nearly dropped it in astonishment.
Goodness me! Missus Skeley, whar
You got dat niggah baby?" she ex-
claimed.
why, anntie. that isn't darky baby"
ventured Mrs. Skelley.
Shoe, you chile. you go way; if dat
ain't niggah baby den | nebber seen one,
an guess Pse had nuff of EN- to know
one when | see it," And Aunt Dinah
would have it no other way.
1t soon became noised about Farming
dale that the Skeleys had been unforlu-
nate in their selection of a child for adop-
ton and people tioeked to the house TO
satisfy their curiosity.
Mr.. Skelley decided to settle the question
in Hof f,,II
with old Aunt Dinah at the first peep into
the cradle.
Mrs. Skelley told an Eagle reporter how
disappointed she aud her husband were.
She Aad named the little one after her,
ter. who was much devoted to it. aa1
had been christened y
one mas written to the woman in y 4
l ork demending an explanation and sEll
insist upon her taking the child baeg, al
though she had signed papers tn Keep it.
Unless she receives favorable response
Mr.. Skel!ey will 20 to New York and make
trouble.