The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1913-04-25
IN MEMORY OF A BABY
BY CARL MAYER.

1t was in the late autumn, yet /
summer day, when all the air wa
soft with a scarcely perceptible has
which gives October that pensivenesi
which is not sadness, and yet which
tempers Joy.
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 az
1t 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,
jaded, dust-stained, young in years,
but with youths bloom gone from the
pale cheeks and wretched eyes, flash
ing suddenly with 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, inuuir-
ing if the woman was i'll or needed
help.
No, madam, not i'll, but 1t has been
so 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 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 once-I would
be more fit to die"
Intuitively, 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 a fellow-creature away perhaps
to death, without giving what help she
could.
Hesitating but moment, she said:
Come, sit Eere beside me; baby is
almost asleep" and rising, she laid
the little bundle OF warmth and fra
GRANGE In the strangers arms.
With stified cry the woman sank
Into a chair. while tears coursed down
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-
.hize.
The baby slept.
Miriam brought light refreshment,
iainty sandwiches and cool, rich milk. |
Refreshed, the woman, now calm, soft
y whispered: ''If you knew what I
lave been you would despise me. You
would not let me touch your pure,
weet baby You have been so good.
low let me CO."
But Miriam gently detained her. IF
/ will help you to tell me your
rouble, may be able to aid you" she
aid.
Then the woman wept again, but
enderness prevailed, and bit by bit
he story of young girl, born and
rought up on a farm far from the
ity's whirl, lured away from home on
romise of marriage, then deserted,
anne. How her baby had been born
4 charity hospital; how she had
earched and searched for her faith
ess lover only to find him emerging
rom a great church with radiant
ride on his arm; how she had walked
be streets night and day searching
DR. work no one would give; how rea-
on had left her when her baby died
/ her arms; how she was nursed
ack to puny health by others who
ad suffered, who gave her a home
nd certain rough but tender care;
ow she was led on to life Of shame
ecause she could find no other means
, earn bread, and how, sickened by
lie revolving life, she had cast aside
err gaudy raiment and was on her
ay to join her dead baby.
Miriam felt the truth of her story;
1T that she could not turn away
Jul so sorely distressed.
Il think you were more sinned
yainst than SHINING, and God has
rought you to me. VIII you stay
it'll me and help me care for baby?
have great need of some one who
i'll put love into this work. and per-
APPS, after a while, my baby will
,mfort you as your own
you will take me; you will keep
e; you will let me tend your baby?
b, it is too much, too muchi'
81 will do more, by giving you love
Id great trust You can help or
lrm me much; If you are loyal and
ithful to baby and me you will give
e a surer confidence in all humanity,
1t If you fail me, shall never dare
listen to the voice of my own soul
,ain. 1t is trial for US both"
When the woman lifted her bowed
lad there was a new light in her
es; rested look
81 thought there was nothing for me
live for, no work for me to do, but [
will live since you think me worthy
such a trust. will prove to you {
at there is something true in me
i'll. | will be faithful" .
The next spring in far away city
er little mound in the churchyard
white stone was placed which bore
e inscription: "In Memory Of a {
lby," and the tiny grave was blue |
tn myrtle and violets.
The woman lived all her long years
tn Miriam and the baby. She came
be like one Of the family, respected, a
listed, loved, looked up to. She !.
lded them in sickness and In 2