Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-04-17

lHClS' nS SdSp0u.
oh" said Cheney, smiling, Il in
vestigated the birth of one Roy
Belcher."
"And you found out all about him?
Eyes, and that's why I'm here. You
know the story of Basket Charley.
What is it,"
No." gasped the preacher, Il don't.
I've just heard of him, that's all"
The mans manner convinced
Cheney he was lying. He did know;
he must be made to tell.
Would your flock care to know
about your birth?"
NO" Numbered Belcher. mo, |
don't want that, not now"
Then tell me what you know OF
Basket Charley" said Cheney. You
do know something, don't your
Yes, know, and if you'll promise
not to reveal MY identity I'll tell
You have my sacred promise" re-
piled Cheney. 7Candidly Mr.. Belcher,
all | want to do is to establish the
birth of Mr.. Farwell. 1t is simply an
act of justice, and you as man of
God should not hesitate to do that.
You preach justice and mercy to your
congregation every Sunday Exempli-
fly those teachings now by clearing
this mystery. Practice what you
preach
'All right, sir, | will. don't know
you, but you look like man of your
word" Mr.. Belcher settled himself
back and closed his eyes as if think
ing, end continued:
Il need not speak of my origin, you
know that. When | was IA l went to
Exmoor and apprenticed with old man
Reyburn. The two girls were total
ly unlike. Jane was austere and al
most puritanical in her ideas. Mag
gle was the opposite and thought life
was naught but pleasure. Poor girl,
it was her undOing. She visited De.
troit once and while there met a man
named James Eastman. He was OF
the world and she Of the country. He
wrote her frequently and she was very
much in love with him. Mr.. Reyburn
and Jane did not approve and said so,
UuJ MdSSlC WdS oSb III lCl Wds p.
couldn't have been moved in any man
ner. During one visit to Detroit 8
marriage took place. Oh, it was a
legal marriage, all right"
Thank God for that" murmured
Cheney under his breath.
Yes" continued Mr.. Belcher
there's no doubt of the marriage
I've seen the certificate. But after
the marriage Eastman soon tired OF
his country wife. 1t was the old, old
story OF neglect and abuse, and final.
ly desertiOn. After he left her
work very hard. Things went all
wrong at the farm; Mr.. Reyburn
died, Jane couldn't run it, neither
could l, and it was sold. 1t didn't
bring much money because a mort.
gage had to be paid Off The night
we were to leave Maggie came home
and brought with her baby scarce
ly three weeks old. Jane was in.
censed, and stormed furiously, up
braiding Maggie for her acts. She
finally refused to have anything to
do with the child. Oh, it was awful,
that scene!" Mr.. Belcher shud.
dered at the memory and resumed.
Maggie was very i'll and the &C.
tons of her sister made her worse.
She was desperate, indeed. | wasn't
much myself, but l was sorry for her.
She came out to the barn where
was and made me promise before God
that | would try and place her child
with some good family. Then she
would get we'll and 60 to work some
place. Her spare earnings would go
to the child and later she would
come and claim him. | promised and
then we cast our minds about for
the proper persons with whom to
leave the baby" Cheney was in
tensely interested. Belcher's man
ner was very earnest and truth was
stamped on every word he uttered.
"Old man Farwell was one of those
dear fine men liked by everybody
He was poor as a church mouse but
always willing to share his crust
with one more unfortunate. He
would look after the boy. Maggie
wrapped the baby up in some warm
clothing. wrote a note-my God
you have it there!" interjected the
minister noticing the ole, faded let
ter Cheney held towards him. Yes
that's it. She pinned it to the baby
outer garment, inserted two dollars
and a half, and that night l left the
baby On Mr.. Farwells doorstep. She
Vent without seeing her sister again;
left that night. Two weeks later she
died. That's all, sir, every word
know"
yes" said Cheney, but the man
where is he? Was he never hearc
of afterwards"
"Heard of? Damn him-damr
him!" said Belcher, justifiably forget
ting he was a preacher. YES, he was
heard from. Maggie hadn't been dead
week before he came to Detroit anC
acted as if nothing had happened
Later he went west, | believe. mar