Los Angeles herald., 1908-09-07
GRESS REGAINS
BABE; SAFE ON
Ills WAY EAST
THRILLING ADVENTURE ENDS
IN VICSORY
BEAUTIFUL TOT is SPIRITED
AWAY BY FATHER
Chauffeur Breaks All Records Between
San Diego and Santa Ana to
Aid Parent in His
Quest
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lighted the big acetylene lamps on his
car. Now for Santa Ana" he NUT
tered, as he turned again into the high.
way and rushed past a group of rus.
tics. who to Cress fearing eyes ap-
peared to be constables armed with
Geographic warrants for his detention
From Del Mar to Oceanside the cal
SKINNED smoothly over the oiled roads
reeling off the miles as though space
was nothing to a motor. At Oceanside
the tank was replenished with gasoline
and the dash toward Santa Ana was
resumed.
''The last street car leaves Santa
ana for Los Angeles at IL o'clock -
suggested Gress. The remark touched
the chauffeur's pride.
I'll get you to Santa Ana before II
O'Clock If this machine stays in the
road" he replied. "And if I don't,
wen, I'll take you on to Los Angeles -
Not. another word was spoken
ing wheel, gave all his attention to
the road as it disappeared beneath
him. Marchie slept fitfully, shudder-
ing as though her restless life and
tragic experiences formed the sub
stance of her dreams. Gress crooned
over the child, holding her closely in
his arms.
A Human Chauffeur
On they sped at rate never before
Travelled by motor car over that road
at night. At 1926 they saw ahead the
lights of Santa Ana. At 10:45 Blanch-
ard stopped the car at the street rail-
way station and the humming of the
engine died away in a deep diapason
which softened into a sigh, almost hu-
man, as though the big machine real
lied stupendous task had been COM
p1eted.
Here you are" said the chauffeur,
cheerily. 1.-THE trolley will be here in
few minutes. Good-oy and good
luck" He stopped and kissed the
child's forehead, and drove away to
the garage.
Gress and Marchie boarded the II
O'Clock car for Los Angeles, the child
asleep, the father keeping watch. AT
midnight they arrived in Los Angeles,
and, still carrying the little girl, Gress
went to q down town hotel, where he
put Marchie to bed and lay down, but
not to sleep. Asthmatic for years, he
had contracted severe cold in his
wild flight, which resulted in a high
fever. Arising in the morning, hag-
gard and racked by frequent fits OF
coughing, he hastened to communicate
with Mr.. and Mrs. Ware. from whose
home Marchie had been taken las
week, and asked their assistance. Mr.
Ware went to the hotel, where he as.
sured Gress he would aid him in every
way possible.
Loves Marchie as Her Own Child
Little Marchie won her way into
my heart with one SMILE" said Mrs.
Ware yesterday. 1--WE knew Mr.. Gress
Cnt vol t., T.
came to my husband and told him of
his trouble. Mr.. Gress brought Mar
chic to our home and 1 told him I
would keep her as long as he could
leave her. My children were devoted
to her and we were heartbroken when
she was taken away"
Assured that Marchie was with her
father and would soon be- far away
where her troubles would cease, Mrs.
Wares eyes filled with tears.
"I am so glad 1t has turned out as
it has. know little of her mother.
but 1 know she loves her father and
will be happy with him. How any one
could be cruel to cherub like that is
beyond all comprehension"
Questioned along the line of cruel
treatment, Mrs. Ware said:
"Some one mistreated the child. Be-
tween the time she was taken from me
and returned nearly three weeks later
she was beaten and in some manner
the hair torn from her head in two
places. Marchie said it was not her
truly mamma who beat and maltreat-
ed her, but she gave the name of a
woman in Pasadena institution. She
said she was struck with a ruler be-
cause she could not dress herself. Her
side and back were mass of blue
marks. Her own mother was as in
dignant as was about it. 1t is my
intention to take the affair up with
the Pasadena people. She was a. well
behaved, sweet-tempered child, a wee
philosopher. Her experience has made
a little woman of this baby. Why,
when was forced to awaken her in
the night to tell her they were going
to take her away, Marchie sighed but
did not cry. All yite, If papa wants
me I guess I'll go, but I'm coming
back to you some day, Mamma Dare,
cause love you best of all"
Scene Is Heartrending
Perhaps the most heartrending scene
in the history of this young childs
life was enacted at the beautiful home
of Mrs. Ware when Mrs. Gress, accom-
panied by ]. E. Byrne, the Pasadena
attorney, went there to take her away
last Tuesday. They reached the Ware
home when Mr.. Ware was away and
the woman who had been such a good
mother to little Marchie was alone,
with no one to advise her. Mrs. Ware
forced the attorney to administer a
solemn oath to Mrs. Gress that she
was the mother of the child; to give
her true name and to swear she would
forever be kind to the little one. Then
came the sad. scene of parting. Little
Aileen Ware, about Marches age and
her inseparable companion, was incon-
solable.
"If you take Marchie away I must
go. too" said little Aileen, saking her
dark curls as she set about to pack
up small belongings to join her play
mate in a journey out into the big
world.
Marchie clung to Mrs. Ware, whom
she loves better than any of the many
mammas in her little life and whom
she has always affectionately called
Mamma Dare"
Those who saw the woman kneel and
clasp the tiny girl to her bosom; saw
the tears swell up from her big moth
erly heart, heard her mingle her sobs
with those of the babe and heard the
child's words will never forget that
scene:
"Don't let them take me away, Mann
ma Dare, I love you, Mamma Dare.
You don't beat me. want to stay
with you and sister," sobbed Marchie.
"But dearie; don't you want to go
with your truly mamrna?"
"No Mamma Dare. love nv papa.