MIXED BABIES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 286, 22 August 1918, Page 6

MIXED BABIES

PROBLEM FOR MAGISTRATE. A "mixed baby" problem that might have puzzled Solomon recently came before the Magistrate in tho Essex Market Court, states a Now York report. The two babies iu question have been exchanged. Blanche Leoniff has become Annie Felner and Annie Felner is Blancho Leoniff. Mrs. Felner and Mrs. Leoniff have kissed and made up. Each became tho mother of a girl baby in Gouverneur Hospital on September 12. Mrs. Felner maintained for the past seven months that when it was time lo nurse the babies she was given Mrs. Leoniff's and Mrs. Leoniff was handed hers. When she went home lier sister said to.her: "Gussie, that shouldn't bo your baby." That settled it so far as Mrs. Felner was concerned. Out she set on Mrs. Leoniif's trail. Up and down the east siqe slio went, hunting the woman who had her child.

The other day she found her in Grand Street. Mrs. Leoniff had the baby with her. Mrs. Felner raised tho veil that was covering the baby's face, took ono look, and promnlly fainted. "The baby I have is your baby," insisted Mrs. Felner, when, she returned to consciousness.

"The baby I have looks like no one in my family." "That's no proof," replied Mrs. Leoniff.

Seeing that Mrs. Leoniff had no intention of relinquishing the baby she had been attending for soven months, Mrs. Felner appealed to the Magistrate, Mr. Hcaly. He listened to tho women's story, and admittcdl that ho was puzzled. "There's tho King Solomon test and the O'Brien test," he said. "Tho King Solo mon test won't go hero. Tho O'Brien test consisted in Mrs. O'Brien placing her finger in Mike's mouth, and if he bit shn know it was Pat. We can't do that either." So the Mngistroto adjourned the hearing.

Mrs. Leoniff, at the resumed hearing, was in doubt whose baby she had. "I can't sweaT to it," she said, "and I can't swear that the baby Mrs. Felnor has is mine either." Then the two fathers wore summoned to ;:ourt. Mr. I'elner raid he was sure his wife was right. Air. Leonid said ho was inclined to believe Mrs. leoniff. If she doubted, he also doubted.

The Magistrate finally said: "There are so many characteristic resemblances between Mrs. Felner. her husband, and the baby that I think I am justified in nskinsf each woman to exchange." After a riotous discussion anion? the relatives and friends of the Leoniffs Mid the Felnet clan the exchange was effected.