The San Francisco call., 1897-03-31
THE CHILD IS
MRS, HOLSTROM'S
Judge Seawell Rendered a
Decision That Was
Popular.
Two Women Weeping in Court,
One for Sorrow, One
for Joy.
Mrs. D'Artenay Declared to Be Cool
Woman, but Her Daughter Has
Formed Other Ties.

Two agitated women filled Judge Sea-
wells courtroom with their sobs yesterday
afternoon. Mrs. Lucinda Holstrom wept
for Joy and Mrs. Sarah d'Artenay was so
overpowered with sorrow that only tears
could give partial relief, for the court had
just uttered the words giving to Mrs. Hol-
strom the permanent custody of little
Ellie V. r. Holstrom.
At the conclusion of the Judges remarks
there was burst of applause, showing that
his decision had met a responsive chord
in the hearts of the persons who crowded
the room.
Bailiff Matt Fallon exercised his au-
thority to suppress the uproar by shout
ing, "Order in court!' and then hastened
to lend aid to Mrs. d. Artenay, who had
tainted. The unfortunate lady was quickly
removed TO the corridor. where the fresh
air restored her consciousness. She at
once went into mysteries and the Railways
rang with her shrieks for several min utes.
In the meantime the joyous Mrs. Hol-
strom was speeding from the scene of so
much trouble bearing in her arms the lit
tie one over whom the controversy had
arisen and on whom she had lavished such
q wealth of affection.
In tQo OplulOU Vi tu0 court MIS-. u ARE.
nay had not the same love for the little
one that was felt by the foster mother, and
taking into consideration the welfare of
the child, Mrs. Holstrom's application for
guardianship was granted.
Readers of THE CALL who have taken an
interest in this case will remember that
little Effie was born about five years ago
in this City. Her mother was unmarried
at that time and made a written paper by
which she purported to give and bequeath
her baby 20 Mrs. Lucinda Holstrum of
Empire City, Or. This was duly wit
messed, and Mrs. Holstrom made o
formal acceptance in writing of the trust
thus imposed.
The mother Of the child subsequently
married Mr.. d'Artenay of Dixon, Solano
County, and no learned of the existence
of the child for the first time in January
of this year. When his wife asked for the
return of the child he joined her in that
demand, and so the matter was taken in to
court. Inasmuch as Mrs. Hostrom had
never taEen legal steps for the adoption
of the little one she had to appear in court
on an equal footing with Mrs. a. 'Artenay,
their opposing petitions for guardianship
coming up for consideration stimuli
taneously.
So great has been the interest mani
tested IN this controversy and so many
persons have become involved in it that
the courtroom has been crowded at every
hearing.
A silence as of death prevailed as Judge
Seawell assembled the bench to announce
his decision, for when the fate of human
being, for good or for bad, for time and
for eternity, is in the balance there is
something impressive and even awful in
the judicial ceremonies attending the
final decision.
The court said that Attorney Sullivan,
speaking for Mrs. d. d'Artenay, had objected
to the validity of the so-called deed OF
gift of the child. and he sustained Mr..
Sullivan's contention that it was not
legally binding as an act of abandonment.
1t is true a parent cannot legally divest
himself or herself of the duties which the
community requires must be discharged
by parents in regard to thei- offspring.
The paper. therefore, would not be con-
sidered by the court except to explain the
attitude of the contending parties touch
ing their relationship to the minor child.
The court spoke highly OF Mrs. 'Arte-
nay and her modest appearance IN court.
He said that no matter what her misfor-
tunes may have been, he considered her q
good woman now. and q proper person to
have the custody of child. Mrs. Hoi-