The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-06-14
AMERICAS FIRST BABY.

Almost three hundred years ago,
when Queen Elizabeth was reigning in
there was Il baby born that
was a very interesting baby, indeed,
for many reasons. As the Young par
ents bent over their little girl they
thought, of course, that there was not
another such baby in the whole world,
and there was a grand old man with
long silyery beard falling over his high
ruff and his velvet doublet, who called
the little stranger his pet and kissed
her as if she was his own.
But this was not what made the
baby famous.
1t was long ago, You see, before the
English had a single settlement upon
the mainland of America But a
number of energetic men Mt the Eng
lish court were greatly interested in
colonizing the new land. Foremost
among them was Sir Walter Raleigh,
of whom you have heard.
1t was Raleigh that fitted out the
colony that landed at Roanoke Island,
Off the coast of North Carolina, "A
beautiful green land full of cedars,
sassafras, palms and flowers, where the
birds sung the year round. Annanias
and Eleanor Dare, the father and
mother of our baby. were among these
settlers. Their child was born about a
month after the landing of the colon
lists, August Is, 1857.
In the little wooden chapel, two or
three weeks after the event, the colon
lists assembled one bright day to attend
the baptism and christening of the lit
tie stranger. The font was the family's
silver wash ever and the sponsor was
Governor White himself, the baby's
grandfather. Thereafter she was
known as Virginia Dare, sweet and
appropriate name for this pretty wild
flower that bloomed all alone on that
desolate coast. She was the first
child born of English parents in Amer
lea and was the only white baby then
living on this continent.
About the time that Virginia was
cutting her first teeth there came
very distressing times TO the colony.
There was great need of supplies, ard
1T was determined to send to England
for them. Governor White went him
self and never saw his little grand
daughter again.
1t was three years before the Gov
elnor returned to Roanoke Island.
He was kept in England by the Span
ish invasion, and after the winds and
the waves had shattered the dreaded
Amanda, ii was some time before
Raleigh could get together the men
and supplies that were needed by the
far-otf colony. At last the ship was
ready and White took his departure.
but he had not sailed far when his
vessel was overtaken by 4 Spanish
cruiser and captured.
White himself escaped in a boat. and
after many days reached England
again. Then he had to wait for an
other ship, and the weary old man saw
day after day go by before he left
the chalk cliffs of England behind
him. After long, anxious months he
approached the new land.
You can fancy how he strained his
eyes to catch the first sign of life
among the green trees. 1t was near
sunset and he expected to see the
smoke rising from the chimneys and
the settlers hurrying in from the
fields to eat their evening meal, or
crowding down to greet the long look
editor arrivals. But no such cheering
sight met his gaze. There stood the
cabins, but they were deserted; not a
single human SOUL was visible.
They landed and walked up the
grass-grown paths. Vines and climb
ers festooned the doorways and herd
of deer were feeding on the ripe melons
and cucumbers.
dreary stiffness reigmed every
where. In the home of Dare stood the
cradle that had held little Virginia. as
if she had left it but moment before.
4 little shoe lay on the floor beside it
that was all.-New York World.