The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-01-01
IN MEMORY OF A BABY
BY CARL MAYER.

1t was In the late autumn. vat q
summer day. when all the air "a.
soft with scarcely perceptible haze
which gives October that pensivene.s
which is not sadness. and yet which
tempers Joy.
Miriam sat on the porch croonin.
Q lullaby to her baby as she gently
rocked back and forth and contem.
plated the quietude of the country A
1t lay before her in glory Of crimson
and gold.
A woman came slowly up the stree,
and paused as she caught sight ~
mother and babe. A woman. hagsard
faded. dust-stained. young in wear,
but with youths bloom gone from TIE
pale cheeks and wretched eyes. fash.
Ing suddenly with a wild light a ahe
held out her arms in duplication.
Miriam shrank back In her chair
and held her baby closer, thinking
the woman insane: but seeing her
mistake. leaned forward a bit, inouir.
ing II the woman was III or needed
help.
NO. madam. not Ill, but It has been
20 long since I've seen a baby. You
are good. you are SO happy. you have
not seen sin: you don't know what
1t Is to have lost your baby and 70
about the world with empty arms and
despairing heart. My baby is gone!
II you will only let me kiss your
baby. let me hold 1t just once-I would
be more At to die"
lntuitively, Miriam saw that this
woman had suffered much; wronged
her womanhood. perhaps: but suffer.
ed. Pity flashed tears into her eyes
sin shocked her-but she could not
send q fellow-creature away perhaps
to death. without giving what help she
could.
Hesitating but moment. she said:
Come, sit here beside me; baby Is
almost asleep" and rising, she laid
the little bundle of warmth and fra
GRANGE In the strangers arms.
With stifled cry the woman sank
into a chair, while tears coursed down
her wan cheeks. She wept-wept with
grief unspeakable--wi that agony of |
an overcharged spirit, until In the full. |
ness OF compassion Miriam put her |
arm around the shaking shoulders and !
tried in her gentle may to sympa.
thise.
The baby slept.
Miriam brought light refreshment,
dainty sandwiches and cool, rich milk.
Refreshed, the woman. now calm. soft.
ly whispered: III you knew what l
have been you would despise me. You
would not let me touch your pure.
sweet baby. You have been 10 good.
now let me co."
But Miriam gently detained her. III
It will help you to tell me your
trouble, may be able to aid you," she
said.
Then the woman wept again, but
tenderness prevailed, and bit by bit
the story Of a young girl. born and
brought up on farm far from the
city's whirl. lured away from home on
promise OF marriage, then deserted.
came. How her baby had been born
in q charity hospital; how she had
searched and searched for her faith.
ess lover. only to find him emerging
rom q great church with a radiant
bride on his arm; how she had walked
he streets night and day searching
'or work no one would give: how rea.
son had left her when her baby died
n her arms; how she was nursed
back to puny health by others who
lad suffered. who gave her a home
md certain rough but tender care;
low she was led on to life of shame
because she could find no other means
20 earn brea'l. and how, sickened by
he revolving life, she had cast aside
her gaudy raiment and was on her
way to join her dead baby.
Miriam felt the truth of her story;
'elt that she could not turn away .
'oul 80 sorely distressed.
think you were more sinned
against than shining, and God has
brought you to me. Will you stay
with me and help me care for baby
have great need CT some one who
will put love into this work. and per-
haps. after while. my baby will
comfort you as your own"
you will take me: YOU will keen
ne; you will let me tend your baby?
Oh, II is too much. too much"
'T will do more. by giving you love
Ind q great trust You can help or
harm me much; If you are loval and
faithful to baby ard me you will give