The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-24
MRS. BALL GIVES HUSBAND
CLUE TO MISSING CHILDREN
CONTINUED from Page one.)

Owing to the fact that the plan TO dy-
Mantle the Avon reservoir became 80
widely advertised that crowds assem-
bled. City Marshal Kingman decided TO
postpone that undertaking indefinitely.
His idea is to keep the project a strict
secret and then carry II out when least
expected so that there will be no gath
ering OF spectators TO cause danger OF
accident
SAD CHRISTMAS AT BALL HOME.
1t will be a cherries Christmas in the
little Ball cottage on Holbrook avenue.
Carpenters plumbers and paper hangers
were busy there today removing the eff
fccts of the fire which broke out imme-
diately after Mrs. Ball left that Monday
morning. The police think she set IL.
Brownie" the pet dog. sat on the sill
OF the parlor bay window peering at all
who came. That had been his favorite
station OF vigil since his little master
and mistress went away and Mr.. Ball
says he thinks the dog hopes for the re-
turn of Oracle and Tommy. Their bed
room is just as It was when they got up
for school that morning. Mr.. Ball locked
1t SO that the workmen would not invade
the chamber by mistake.
IL was for the purpose OF making a
desperate effort TO get some tidingt OF
his children, and. II possible, recover
them, dead or alive. before Christmas
day dawned that he visited the Taunton
hospital again yesterday accompanied. as
on the visit last week. by Miss Ridgway.
the Brockton police matron.
When he entered the ward where his
wife lay he was keyed to the highest ten
sion. Much might develop from that talk.
lie resolved to stir, II he could, the In
stinct OF the mother by allusions to the
fNFat .,f cd % xyyht rn a m
so much TO children and their parents
the world over.
Tomorrow night will be Christmas
eve, Mary" said he softly, taking a hand
that still bore the bruises OF three days
and three nights exposure in the woods.
Think how lonely IT will be without
Oracle and and TOMMY Cant you, you tell w,as as
you did with them? Try hard now. Mary.
1t means a lot to both OF us. See II you
cannot fiji in that gap. You're the only
lice. the public at large. depend upon YOU
to find our poor children. Perhaps well
yet get them home in time TO hang up
their stockings for Santa"
IL seemed as II John Ball put every
bit OF fibre into that appeal. There was
a tell-tale tremQg of his under lip and
the pallor that has come from weeks or
worry and sleepless nights intensified
as lie greedily scanned the face or his
BEGs FOR HER BABIES.
A panied expression shadowed the
countenance OF Mrs. Ball. She appeared
Then-"Christmas without Oracle and
babies still out in the cold. Are my
babies still out In the cold? can't some
one go and get them? How long Is IT,
now"
"Three weeks. exactly" volunteered
the police matron.
Three weeks. Three w-e-e-k-s. How
cold and hungry they must be out
there
.Out where?" swiftly inquired the ma
tron eager to stimulate the defective
memory of the weeping mother Are
they under the snow? Is that where you
left them? Can't you tell us where. so
we can go out and get them at once?'
but | don't know. How can / tell"
Have you tried the school? Can't you
get them, John, dear?"
1--WE have searched everywhere" re-
piled the discouraged husband, his head
bowed. Hundreds have been out. They
have secured the fields and woods, wells
brooks barns, without avail. They can
find no trace of our little ones. That is
why | have come to you. Think IL all
over dear. won't you please? Did they
leave you or did you leave them? Were
they cold?
"Yes. they were cold i remember that.
We all sat down outside a shed No we
did not go in. II was an old she'd more
like barn, with doors at the end. 1t is
close to a broad, hard road, reached by
turning off a street with car tracks on
IL.
II threw my coat over the children.
Finally Oracle got up and danced 10
keep warm. She was not so cold as
Tommy. / finally picked him UP in my
arms"
REMEMBERS NO FURTHER.
Beyond all that Mrs. Ball could furnish
no information. She said her memory
carried her no further, that the events
between that time and her awakening on
the bank OF the reservoir, 72 hours later,
were all swallowed up i'm a great mental
void. Try as she would. she said she
could not br.3ge the gap. She had en-
deavored 10 night and day. longing TO
embrace her children again. but without
avail
She made no mention OF the STRANGE
lady In the automobile" today. Her rea-
son seemed stronger than when Mrs. Rail