ABANDONED BABY

Southland Times, Issue 20897, 5 October 1929, Page 23

ABANDONED BABY

MOTHER’S SAD LETTER.

FEAR OF IMPRISONMENT. 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,—l don’t know' how you arc 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 I 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 Ixmdon forever, although my heart is wellnigh broken. My baby, it is hard to think I shall live and live and still know I have got an innocent baby left in this cruel world, but being a boy you may be mtw fortunate.

“I hope somebody will lake a liking to you, but I suppose you will be sent to a workhouse, where you will belong to nobody. From your broken-hearted, unfortunate mother, Lil.” The letter was handed to the police by the guardians, who offered a reward of "A for information, which would enable ttuK. to trace the mother, but they do not appear to have succeeded. 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.