Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1912-12-19
REUNITED
A kidnapping Leads to a
Happy Christmas.
BY ANDREW D. MORTON.

&3@@@@&,@ OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
have a faint recollection Of stock.
ings hanging to the mantel. q lovely
face over Ty crib and a lady taking
me up and kissing me passionately. |
remember distinctly that she was
weeping. Then she put me down on
my pillow. and | went to sleep.
This is all remember of a Christ
mas for many years. J was brought
up by my father and had no knOwl-
edge of my mother. The Christmas
season. which was SO enjoyable to 9th
er children. never brought happiness
to me. As it approached my father
grew gloomy. and was sent away to
spend Christmas day ut some other
home.
When | became old enough to Won
der why | did not have mother like
other boys | wished to know. yet
dreaded to ask
One day-it was the last day of study
before Christmas. when was eight
years old. coming from school-a car
rage drew up ut the curb beside inc.
the door opened and a lady beckoned
to ne to come to her. did so. and.
taking my hand. she gave me very
sweet smile and drew me into the car
rage Then she shut the door and
ordered the coachman to drive Oh. Her
expression was so lovable and loving
that ! had no fear.
The streets were full of shoppers
making their last purchases before
Christmas. There were children peer
ing into the windows at the display
of toys. which were already beginning
to be lighted artiticially. Sitting by
the lady. remembering the many dull
Christmas days had spent and an
other duh one before me. felt com
fort. n pleasure. had never expert
enced before. How | wished that she
could 30 home with me to make a
Christmas for me! She. too. seemed
to me to he thinking of the same
thing. She said nothing to me. only
held my hand In hers lOnged to
throw my arms about her neck and
ask her II she would not be my
mother.
1t was between 4 and 5 o'clock in
the afternoon when was taken up.
and as 1t was winter. when the days
are short. 1t soon began to grow dark.
I'm afraid said to the lady.
that papa will be worried about me.
He always expects me to go home d.
rect from school"
The only response l received was a
pressure of the hand she held. In a
few moments l said again. Il think
will get out here and go home"
She replied to this by putting her
arm about my waist. There was
something in the act that indicated
an intention on her part to prevent
my leaving her. For the hrst time 1t
occurred to me that was being kid
mapped. ! thought of my father wait
ing for me and wondering why l did
not come home. and this troubled me.
but It did not occur to me that |
should meet with any. harm at the
hands of the lady.
Presently the carriage drew up In
front Of dwelling house. The lady
got out and. still holding my hand.
drew me after her She took me up
to the house and into a pretty room
where a bright fire was blazing on
n hearth.
You are very kind" said. Ito take
me to ride and bring me to your
house. but I'm sure papa will be troU-
blcd about me. Unless I'm to go home
at once think You had better let me
send a message to him. Have you a
telephOne:"
She thought Il moment. then said:
"Certainly. Telephone by all means"
She took me to the telephone. looked
in the address book, found my fathers
number and instructed the central Of
flee to call it up. Then when the CON
nection was effected she placed a stool
before the phone and handed me thu.
receiver. standing beside me as
talked
rs that you. papa?" asked
My father was evidently relieved to
hear my voice and asked me at once
whit had happened and where was
| told him that beautiful lady whom
| had never seen before had taken me
to drive and then to her home.
"'rell him." said the lady. that you
are to spend Christmas with me-"
did as she bid me and added. at her
request. that she intended to make me
some slight atonement for the many
Christmases that ! had been deprived
of the pleasures common to other chill
dren.
There was silence for few mo
nents. Then my father asked me t.,
describe the lady. | did SO, and he
asked me If could give him the street
and number, but | could do neither
Then the lady told me to say to him
that she was Cornelia: that | would he
PARK M TRhMMElI