Captain Fairfield would have liked to start at once in search of his darling wife, but Mr. Taylor, who saw the danger for him in going to France at this time, prevented him from acting rashly, also fearing that the sudden shock to Agnes in seeing her husband whom she had bemoaned so long would be of great injury to her health, so it was decided that Alice should write first, saying in her letter that there were some hopes of Captain Fairfield being alive. The next mail should bring a letter from the Captain himself to his wife. Both letters were duly posted, but when the steamer on which George Fairfield was mate was ready to sail again no answer had been received from, France, and George had to cross the ocean again.
Having received my address from Mrs. Taylor he intended to come and see me on his arrival in this port, and this time he was more fortunate: the ship made a quick voyage, and as Mrs. Taylor had written to me by a previous steamer, informing me of all these strange incidents, I looked out for him.
One afternoon in the month of August, 1871, when I was driving along the wharf, I saw a steamer coming in, and on enquiring the name of it I found it was the one with which I expected Mr. Fairfield. I drove home with all speed, and as it was late in the afternoon Master George had his little white frock pretty well soiled; but, on telling him his papa would soon, be here to see him, he consented readily to leave his play and undergo an extra bathing—his little skin being so fair the least speck would show—and scarcely had we finished the operation when the door-bell rang and a weather-beaten gentlemen inquired for me. His surprise was great when he found I had expected him, and on seeing his beautiful child his happiness knew no bounds.
As soon as he had a little rested he related to us all his trials and miseries, which seemed like a fairy tale. But when would Mrs. Fairfield return and meet her husband, was the next question, and where? He came every day and spent many an hour at our house playing with his child and wishing for his wife to return. He often said it would be almost too much happiness for him; that he was afraid something might cross his plans again. I had written to Savannah again to hear if the family would return from Europe soon. At last a letter came informing me that the family, as also Mrs. Fairfield, had embarked on a New York steamer, and would be expected home within a short time. When Captain Fairfield heard the good news he made arrangements not to return with his vessel to Glasgow but await the arrival of his long lost wife. He telegraphed to the agents in New York, desiring them to deliver a telegram at once to Mrs. Fairfield on her arrival. The message read thus: “Mrs. Capt. Fairfield is wanted in Montreal immediately. Important business. Answer.” In two days we had an answer which read: “Will start at once, hope all well, Agnes Fairfield.” Late in the evening the same day the New York train arrived rather late, but with it Captain Fairfield’s wife. When the Captain saw his wife approaching he dropped the boy and ran towards her, calling her by her name, but she no sooner saw him than she fell senseless just inside the hall door. I would have raised her; but shoving me aside he took her tenderly in his arms and carried her upstairs. Then calling her by all sorts of endearing terms he conjured here to open her eyes and speak to him. After a time she revived. When she came to herself, she gazed wildly around the room, enquiring eagerly, Where is he? I had persuaded Captain Fairfield to retire to an adjoining room for a while, and then brought little George to her pretending her enquiries were meant for him; but her mind was perfectly clear, and she demanded an explanation. I then told her in short what had occurred, when she broke out in an hysterical cry. I called Captain Fairfield to her, imploring him to try and dry her tears. But he let his head sink into his hands and wept like a child himself. Little George did not care for this proceeding at all, so he said he rather would keep me for his mamma because I did not cry. I hope he never will have the tenth part of the trial both his parents had.
For some time the now happy family stayed at Montreal, but at last Captain Fairfield had to resume his duties, but as he would never part from his wife and child again, he took both on the steamship with him. The parting from the dear little child George nearly broke my children’s hearts, who had looked upon him as their baby brother, and I promised to myself then never to take a strange child into my house if I could not keep it for ever, for even my old heart fretted after him.
The little girl in the asylum whom Captain Fairfield thought his child he did not forget, but took with him to England on a later trip, where Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, who had no family, adopted her. The nuns at St. Pélagie were surprised when they heard of the mistake which was made, but could never find out who was the young English girl who died alone there. God has certainly taken care of her child, for it is in a good home, well provided for, and much beloved. Captain, Mrs., and little George Fairfield visited, before their final departure, the parents of Arline Bertrand, on Bonaventure street, and informed them of their existence. The old lady was so surprised that it took a long time to explain, but she promised to let her daughter know all about it.
Captain Fairfield is not crossing the ocean any more, having received the appointment as harbor-master in an English port. He does not want his son George, who is in College yet, to show any liking for the sea. But I hope to see once more before I die the young man whom we all loved so dearly when a baby-boy.