MIXED BABIES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16218, 24 August 1918, Page 5

MIXED BABIES.

PROBLEM FOR MAGISTRATE. A "mixed baby” problem that might have puzzled Solomon recently came before tlie Magistrate in the Essex Market Court, states a New York report. The two babies in question have been exchanged. Balnche Leoniff has become Annie Felner and Annie Felner is Blanche Leoniff. Mrs. Felner and Mrs. Leoniff have kissed and made up. Each became the mother of a girl baby in Gouvernour Hospital on September 12. Mrs. Felner maintained for the past seven months that when it was time to nurse the babies she was given Mrs. Leoniff’s and Mrs. Leoniff was handed hers. When she went home her sister said to her: "Gussie, that shouldn’t be your baby.” That settled it as far as Mrs. Felner was concerned. Out she set on Mrs. Leoniff’s trail. Up and down the east side she went, hunting the woman who had her child. The other day she found her in Grand Street. Mrs. Leoniff bad the baby with her. Mrs. Felner raised the veil that was covering the baby’s face, took one look, and promptly fainted. “The baby I have is your baby,” insisted Mrs. Felner, when she returned to consciousness. "The baby 1 have looks like no one in the family.” "That’s no proof,” replied Mrs. Leoniff. Seeing that Mrs. Leoniff had no intention of relinquishing the baby she had been attending for several months, Mrs. Felner appealed to the Magistrate, Mr. Healy. Ho listened to the women’s story, and admitted that he was puzzled. "There’s the King Solomon test andthe O’Brien test,” he said. "The King Solomon test won’t go here. The O’Brien test consisted in Mrs, O’Brien placing her finger in Mike’s mouth, and if he bit she knew it was Pat. AVe can’t do that either.” So the Magistrate adjourned the hearing. Mrs. Leoniff, at the resumed hearing, was in doubt whose baby she had. “I can’t swear to it,” she said, “and I can’t swear that the baby Mrs. Felner has is mine cither.” Then the two fathers were summoned to court. Mr. Felner said he was sure his wife was right. _ Mr. Leoniff said he was inclined to believe Mrs, Leoniff. If shellonbted, he also doubted. The Magistrate finally said: “There are so many characteristic resemblances between Mrs. Felner, her husband, and the bajjy that I feel' 1 am justified in asking each woman to exchange.” After a riotous discussion among the relatives and friends of the Leoniffs and the Felner clan the exchange was affected.