The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-07-26
IN MEMORY OF A BABY
BY CARL MAYER,

summer day. when all the air wa,
sort with a scarcely perceptible haz,
which gives October that pensivepes,
which is not sadness, and yet which
tempers Joy
Mirlam sat on the porch oroonInp
lullaby to her baby as she gently
rocked back and forth and contem
plated the quietude of the country as
II lay before her In a glory O. crimson
and gold.
A woman came slowly up the stree,
ana paused as she caught sight OF
mother and babe. A woman. haReard.
faded. dust'stained. young in Years.
out with youths bloom gone from the
pale cheeks and wretched eyes flash.
Ing suddenly with wild light as sbe
neia out her arms In duplication.
Miriam shrank back In her chair
ana held her baby closer, thinking
the woman insane: but seeing her
mistake, leaned forward a bit, inouir.
ing II the woman was i'll or needed
help. ~
NO, madam, not Ill. but IT has been
80 long since I've seen a baby! You
are good, you are so happy, you have
not seen sin; you don't know what
II 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 1t just oDce-I would
be more flt to die"
lntuitively, Miriam saw that this
woman had suffered much; wrongec
her womanhood, perhaps: but suffer
ed, Pity flashed tears into her eyes
sin shocked her-but she could rot
send a fellow-creature away perhaps
to death, without giving what help she
could
Hesitating but a 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 stiaed 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: IF you knew what
have been you would despise me. You
would not let me touch your pure,
sweet baby. You have been so good.
now let me CO."
But Miriam gently detained her III
1t will help you to tell me your
trouble. I 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 a 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 charity hospital how she had
searched and searched for her faith
800 'N'Ni' oAis W
from great church with a radiant ,
bride on his arm; how she had walked !
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 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.
81 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
viii put love into this work. and per.
haps, after a while, my baby will
comfort you as your own" II
You Will take me; you Will keep
me; you will let me tend your baby?
On, 1t is too much, too much!"
81 will do more, by giving you love (
and great trust. You can help or
harm me much II you are loyal and
faithful to baby and me you will give
ne surer confidence in all humanity,
,ut If you fail me, shall never dare
o listen to the voice Of my own soul {
again 1t is a trial for us BOTH" [
When the woman lifted her bowed I
read there was n new light in her &
yes; n rested look.
81 thought there was nothing for me ]
o live for, no work for me to do, but 1
will live since you think me worthy I
II such a trust I will prove to you ]
hat there is something true In me (
till / will be faithful" h
The next spring In far away city v
yer a little mound In the churchyard s
white stone was placed which bore l
he Inscription: "In Memory Of a