Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-15
THEY LEFTTHE BABY.
MARTHA MANNING HAS A CHARGE SHE
WOULD LIKE TO RELlN0uISh..
A weil-D Dressed Compile Get n Negro Woman
TO Keep nm Infant. and Fall to Call
for IL a. Promised.

A tiny. 3-weeks-old white baby boy.
with name and parents both unknown.
is an unwelcome guest at the home OF
Martha Manning. a colored woman. who
lives on the Darbytown road, about two
miles telow the city.
The infant was left with Martha last
Saturday. presumably by It's parents. with
the understanding that 1t would be called
for the next day, but the couple did not
return. The only possible clue to the
chiId's identity Is the letter * en-
brodered in the corner OF lady's hand
kerchief that was left around its neck.
Having been the enforced custodian OF
the little one for four days. and seeing
no prospect Of being relieved of its care. the
woman up came TO the county courthouse
yesterday and reported the facts in the
case. Constable Samuels was detailed to
look into the matter. but has not as yet
made any arrangements for transferring
she ward 10 more congenia! quarters.
THEY LIE DOWN TOGETHER.
A representative OF the Dispatch dave
out TO Martha's house yesterday aftrr-
a bottle stuck In its mouth. and a son
OF the hostess. about the same age. was
its peaceful bed-feilow.
The woman. telling how she came to
be in possession OF the child. said that
Saturday afternoon. not long before sun
set. a gentleman and lady. both OF whom
we're stylishly-dressel drove up to her
door and asked her 10 take charge Of n
baby for them until the next day. saying
that they were going 10 town 3nd did not
desire to carry their baby with them.
The man promised to pay Martha llber-
ally for her trouble. and she. being In
very Strengthened circumstances having
been recently deserted by her husband
readily consented 10 keep the baby over
night.
Up TO this time the baby was not in
evidence. and the woman In the buggy
had not opened her mouth. She now
drew from beneath the buggy u
bundle, which proved to be the baby.
wrapped UP. and handed II to her COM
panon. who took II into the house and
placed Il on the bed. lie assured the
colored woman that he would call for 1t
the next day. and promised to pay her
then. The couple drove off and have not
been seen in thai vicinity since. The
waif remains a charge on Martha, who
IL really unable to care for her own
family. and she is exceedingly anxious
to rid herself Of 1t. She has had TO feed
and care for 1t since 1t has been in her
house. and even in the country milk costs
money.
THE ONLY POSSIBLE CLUE.
The child was dressed very scantily,
only having on a long gown and a flannel
underskirt. 1t was wrapped in "A black
cloak. lined with canton flannel and had
a ladies' handkerchief around its neck.
The letter * was embroidered in a
corner of the handkerchief In red silk.
but with this exception there was not a
mark on the clothing. and nothing by
which the child could be identified. II Is
very thin, almost emaciated looking. has
but little hair. is very fair, and quite
pretty.
The description Of the man is that he is
of medium height. somewhat slender.
clean-shaven. and on the whole rather
handsome. The woman is described as
being very pretty. light complexioned.
with very black eyes. and auburn hair.
She appeared TO be not over 10 years of
age, while her companion was probably
her senior by two years. They were
both well dressed. The man wore Il
light overcoat and a dark crushed felt