The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-01
OFFERS TO SELL BABY.
Needy Mother Would Part With Alice
Roosevelt, a Triplet.

Chicago, Feb. 1.--stAlice Roosevelt is
for sale at PIT West Twelfth street
Alice is 3 weeks old baby-one of
set of triplets. Her home is in a two
room basement. Her parents are Mr..
and Mrs. Jake Mosbrow That is. she
has a father somewhere. her mother
does not know where. He deserted his
family the day after the generous old
stork left the trio. Besides the two lit
tie sisters of her own age, Alice has
three sisters and two brothers
Alice really is for sale The mother is
penniless. with eight children to care
for. When she talked about selling
Alice, or either of her infant sisters,
Edith and Annie. she smiled sadly yes
terday as she glanced at the three
babies sleeping peacefully on a big box,
all wrapped in bed clothes but their tiny
faces.
The sale of Alice looked more probable
to the mother because she is the plump
weighs pounds, While Edith and Annie
weigh but four pounds each. All are
healthy
Question as to Price.
How much would you take for one
of the larger children" the mother
was asked by a visitor
She Rugged the black. curly head Of
little 6-year-old Rosie close and in
broken English replied:
Sell EN- % pointing to the older
children. who We're seated promiscu-
ously about the dingy room. mo. no.
no" and she shook her head gravely.
Dem. she said. indicating the
triplets. and trying to smile.
After she had retired to discuss the
matter with her sister, Mrs. Sarah
was asked:
How much do you want for Alice p
Worth much money" she replied.
Sell to who'll give the most"
Would you take SIS %
The mother searched the face of her
sister for an answer. For a moment
the room was painfully quiet. Little
Rosie looked up into her mothers face
with wide open eyes and Mrs. Mos
brow shook her head and d tear stole
into her eye.
worth more'n that she said. "SeH
to one that give most" This was the
only price the mother would set.
Driven by Want TO Make Offer.
. Then she changed the subject. To a
nelghbor woman who had happened
in she apologetically explained in her
native tongue-Mrs. MosbrOW is a
German Jew=why she was compelled
to offer her baby for sale. Her face
was wan and emaciated. She told
how her husband had deserted her for
the third time five weeks ago. Several
Jewish societies have given the family
assistance and paid the rent. Occa-
siOnally the city sends in a consign-
ment of groceries, but at the best it is
an uncertain existence
The mother was interrupted by a
knock at the door. She responded. A
policeman entered carrying a twenty
five pound sack of -four.
Imme diately the mother, who had
been wondering what she would feed
her flock on the morrow, seemed to
forget her troubles. Her face beamed.
She clasped her hands gleefully. The
first policeman hadn't placed the sack
on the table when a second entered.
He carried a big. fiat box containing
another sack of -four and half a
dozen paper sacks. of rice, beans. pota-
toes, etc.
The policemen nodded apprehen-
sively at the mothers broken express
sions of thanks, They walked into the
other room and scanned the faces OF
the three infants CO. a ats -
Shows Policemen Her Babies.
The mother, too, looked at them.
"Alice Roosevelt she said jubilantIy,
pointing out the plumpest of the three.
and to a full length newspaper print of
Miss Roosevelt, pinned on the wall.
! The policemen laughed heartily Be
sides the triplets, the children are:
| Ella. aged 16; Bonnie. 8; Rosie and
Max, twins, g. and Ida. 2. Max is in
the Home for the Friendless.
The fathers method of celebrating
the appearance of the twins six years
ago. and of Ida, two years ago, was to
run off and remain several weeks.
When out of money he would return.
He has been away longer this time
! than he was on either of the two for
mer occasions.