The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-03-30
CHAPTER III.
UNTO THE THIRD AND FoURTu''-F1N-
GERS '&


GERS. '@
half hour later Mr.. Mitchell enter
ed the Office or the Metropolitan Found
ling society and from one of the clerks
obtained further information relative
to the founding. The address of a wo-
man who had first reported tie case,
as well rs her name, Gertrude Griffin,
was given to him. and upon his re.
questshe was permitted to see the little
waif, who was snugly tucked away in
n cot on the eoor above.
AS Mr.. Mitchell was entering the up
per room be met ca acquaintance in
the hallway. This was Colonel Payton,
one of the directors c. tie society.
The colonel w2S Il large man, with q
fine head and commanding mien. His
hair was whitening, and his long side
whiskcrS, already W!.ito, made him
look older than he :caiiy was. During
the late civil war lie had served his
country faithfully and had earned his
epaulcts by bravery CT the field, hay
ing risen from the rauks to the position
which lie hcll when his command had
been mustered out. Returning to New
York after the war, he settled down
to the peaceful occupation OF making
money, and by fOit.nHiV Sn2culations
in Wall street and investments in real
estate he had placed himself far above
the need &C further effort.
Therefore lie Lad retired rro;n active
business and for several years had de-
voted his time 60 c.iurch ana charity.
In this manner he had earned the rep
utation of being Il useful member Of
society, rhilanthropist who gave
freely, yet who deprecated indiscrimi-
nate almsgNings believing that the
best good was to be attained by help
ing others to help themselves. He had
therefore allied himself with several
associations having the bettermcnt of
the poor<as- their aim.
Personally he was an exceedingly
genial and pleasant companion until
you differed with him Oil one Of his
principles Of life, when he would show
his New England ancestry, being very
set" He was n bachelor and some
said that lie was woman hatcr, which
was denied by others, who declared
that he cSchewcd the society OF the op.
poSte sex because he had unSuccess-
fully woocd one whom he had wished
to make his bride. However this may
have been, whenever the colonel did
choose to honor Il social gathering with
his presence he was sure of n warm
reception. His evenings were usually
spent at his club. where he was a
conspicuous figure at the whist table,
and, whether or not he was favorite
with the ladies. certain it was that he
was honorcd ana even courted by his
own sex as bon vivant and 4 racon
teur OF rare ability.
"Dclightcd to meet you. Mr.. Mitch
el!' exclaimed the colonel recognizing
that gentleman. 81 thought you were
on the other side"
II have just returned by the Paris"
said Mr.. Mitchell. Il see you are on
your rounds Inspecting one Of your
favorite charitles?'
well. hardly that" said the colonel.
with n laugh. Il don't allow my char
tiles. as you call them, to take up all
OF my time. But there is case In hand
at present to which l shall give my
personal attention. Perhaps you have
read of the horror In the morning pa
pers?"
DO you mean that little naked baby
found in the graveyard"
Mr.. Mitchell was pleased to find that
his companion was interested in this
case, rs he counted upon his garru-
lousness to obtain more of the facts
than had escaped from the official
mouth. sealed with red tape. which lie
had met below stairs.
"SeS." replied the colonel "Tlat IS
q 1onstrous affair. Think Of n mother
throwing baby less than n year old
into n graveyard and leaving 1t there
to starve. I intend to find that woman
and
'Iow do you know 1t was the moth
er?' asked Mr.. Mitchell quietly. "It
may have been the father who thus
wished to rid himself Of n burdensome
offspring"