The San Francisco call., 1897-04-15

and there is no reason to doubt that in short
time little Effie will learn to love her own
mother. In my opinion the temporary sorrow
which the child may feel in being separated
from Mrs. Holstrom is not the principal factor
in determining the question of either her tenn
poral, mental or moral welfare.
So far as the temporal welfare of the child is
concerned her prospects of being well cared
for are at least quite as good with her mother
as with Mrs. Holstrom- Mr.. GArtenay has a
permanent home in the town OF Dixon, where
he is conducting growing business on his
own account.
lam also satisfied that the mental and moral
welfare of the child would be al least as well
cared for in the quiet home in Dixon as in the
household where she for some time has been,
or In any place where she is likely to be while
in her present custody. She would then
always be under the watchful eye of loving
mother, who, after being chastened by sorrow
and suffering. has vindicated her claim not
only to the guardianship ef herown child, bsit
TO the respect of the community.
Anybody would love this child as she ap-
pears to-day. Whether the love of Mrs. Hol-
sIrom for this child as 1T grows up and devel-
ops peculiarities OF character and disposition
will be great as ii has been and is now NAV
or may not be the case; but IL may be surely
predicted that under all circumstances will
This child have the constant love and devotion
OF her own mother.
Section 246 OF the Civil Code provides that
OF two persons equally entitled to the custody
OF child In other respects preference is to be
given to a parent.
In awarding the child to Mrs. d'Artenay 1
right but am acting for the best interests of
the child.
The former order in this matter will be set
aside and an order viii be entered granting
the application OF Mrs. d'Artenay.
When it became apparent to Mrs. Hol-
strom that she was about 10 lose posses
sion of the little one she loved SO dearly
she began to sob and her wailings filled
the room, but the judicial vein was not
disturbed and the current of the opinion
swept along uninterruptedly to tae con-
clusion. Yet all the time Mrs. Holstrom
was straining the child to her bosom and
uttering her futile declarations that "They
can't take you from me, my little baby.
kept you alive with my love when every-
body deserted you. | am your mother in
love and you know it. Nobody else has
ever done thing for you. Pm your low
ing, dear, own mother, amt l, darling?"
With such endearlng terms and others
of like purport the ioster- mother fretted,
the stiffness being broken only by the
voices of herself, the Judge and the child
for the little one Joined her lamentations
with those of her foster-mother and clung
TO her with precocious tenderness.
Mr.. Holstrom was on his knees, kissing
the hands of the little girl and attem ptiag
to console his vile, while tears rolled
down his cheeks. Pe tried 10 reassurs her
by saying that possibly they might get
justice in the Supreme Court, but his wife
refused to be comforted.
When the final words were uttered Mrs.
Holstrom burst into paroxysms of screams,
in which she was joined by her sister, and
the baby fairly shrieked in unison.
Mrs. Hoistrom refused to yield posses
sion of the child to an officer of the court
or to Mr.. q Artenay, who advanced to ac-
cept the charge. Mr.. Deuprey argued
with her that it was her duty to submit to
the decision of the Judge and held out the
hope of an appeal to the Supreme Court
Kindly yet firmly he insisted that the
child should be given to him. He pointed
out that he had applied for stay of pro-
ceedings and that his request had been
denied. There was nothing left but to
obey.
Reluctantly the foster mother gave last
long kiss to the baby she had tended for
fouriyears and four mon tbs and with bowed
head and breaking heart she was con-
Quoted from the room by the bailiff and
his assistants.
Several regular police officers here made
their appearance and quickly cleared the
corridors. Mrs. Holstrom was borne along
the corridors by the power of authority
until she was at length compelled to leave
the municipal building. She tarried at
the Market-street side, hoping to bIain
glimpse OF her foster-daughter before she
should be borne from her. but in this she
was disappointed, for Mr.. a nd Mrs. d'Ar-
renay left by the McAlii ister-street egress
and took car for the ferry, leaving at
once for their home in Dixon