The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-02-13
IN MEMORY OF A BABY
BY CARL MAYER.

| SUMMER uAy, Wnon all tho air w0A
soft with q scarcely perceptiblc base
which gives October that pensiveness
which 10 not sadness, and yet which
tempers 10y.
Miriam sat on the porch grooming
a lullaby to her baby as she gently
rocked back and forth and contem-
plated the Quietude Of the country as
It lay before her in a glory Of crimson
and gold.
A woman came slowly up the street
and paused as she caught sight Of
mother and babe. A woman. haggard.
faded, dust.stained, young in years.
but with youths bloom gone from the
pale cheeks and wretched eyes. fash
ing suddenly with a wild light as she
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, inquir-
ing II the woman was Ill or needed
help.
mo, madam, not i'll, but 1t has been
30 long since I've seen q baby! You
are good, you are 30 happy. you have
not seen sin; you don't know what
It is to have lost your baby and go
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 It just oDce-I would
be more At to die"
Intuitively. Miriam saw that this
woman had suffered much wronged
her womanhood. perhaps; but suffer
cd. Pity flashed tears into her eyes
sin shocked her-but she could not
send fellow-creature away perhaps
to death, without giving what help she
could.
Hesitating but q 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 a stifled cry the woman sank
into chair, while tears coursed down
her wan cheeks. She wept-wept with
grief unspeakable-with 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.
| thize.
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 I
have been you would despise me. You
would not let me touch your pure.
sweet baby. You have been 80 good.
now let me 60"
But Miriam gently detained her "If
1t 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 a charity hospital. how she had
! searched and searched for her faith
less lover, only to find him emerging
from a great church with a radiant
bride on his arm; how she had walked
J the streets night and day searching
for work no one would give: how rea-
son had left her when her baby died
In her arms. how she was nursed
back to puny health by others who
had suffered, who gave her a home
and certain rough but tender care;
how she was led on to life Of shame
because she could find no other means
to earn bread. and how. sickened by
the 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
felt that she could not turn away a
soul so sorely distressed.
Il think you were more sinned
against than SHINING. and God has
brought you to me. VIII you stay
with me and help me care for baby
have great need OF 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 keeI
me: you will let me tend your baby
Oh, 1t is too much. too much!"
Il will do more. by giving you love
and a great trust. You can help Of
harm me much; II you are loyal ant
faithful to baby and me you will give
me q surer confidence In all humanity
but II you fail me. shall never dare
to listen to the voice OF my own sou
again. 1t Is trial for us both"
When the woman lifted her bowed
head there was new light In he
eyes; a rested look
Il thought there was nothing for M
to live for, no work for me to do, bu
I will live since you think me worth.
OF such a trust. l will prove to 20,
that there is something true in m
still. will be faithful"
The next spring in far away cit
over a little mound in the churchyar
white stone was placed which Dor
the inscription: in Memory of
OAHU ond tho tipv uraya waa HIN