ABANDONED BABY

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 August 1929, Page 8

ABANDONED BABY

MOTHER’S SAD LETTER. How a birthday picture postcard and a pathetic letter were sent by a mother to her three-months-old baby boy, who was found abandoned in a doorway in Croydon, in May is related by a London paper. The baby, who has been named Robert Estell, is in one of the Croydon Guardians’ homes. The letter and the postcard were posted in a north-west district of London, and were addressed “To Robert d’Estell, the unknown Croydon foundling, Mayday Road, Hospital, Croydon.” The letter read: “My darling baby, —I don’t know how you are or ever will be, I shan’t ever see you again, but I love you as I have never loved anyone before. You will never know your mother my darling, helpless mite, but I don’t think anyone could harm you. My darling, if I ever claim you, my baby, I know it means prison for me, although when 1 left you it was out of love.”

“Your baby eyes haunt me’night and day. You would be such a big boy by now if I had the means to keep you, but, my baby, it was all for the best. I am leaving London forever, although my heart is well-nigh broken. My baby, it is hard to think I shall live and live and tsill know I have got an innocent baby left in the cruel world, but being a boy you may be more fortunate.”

“I hope somebody will take a liking to you, but I suppose you will be sent to a workhouse, where you will belong to nobody. From your broken-heart-ed, unfortunate mother, Lil.” The letter was handed to the police by the guardians, who offered a reward of £5 for information, which would enable them to trace the mother, but they do not appear to have suceeded. It is understood that the authorities are inclined to adopt a sympathetic attitude towards the mother and are anxious that she should return at once to take charge of her child. It is suggested that people whose sympathy has been aroused may help the mother in her distress.