The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-27


A small man sat in small parlor, par
titioned off from small shop by small
screen, pasted all over with small scraps Of
newspapers. In company with the small
man was almost any amount OF small chill
dren you may please to nanle-at least it
seemed so; they made, in that very limited
sphere of action, such an imposing effect,
in point of numbers.
or these small fry, two had, by some
strong machinery, been got into bed in a
corner, where they might have reposed
snugly enough in the sleep OF innocence,
but for constitutional propensity to keep
awake, and also to scuflle in and out of bed.
The immediate occasion of these predatory
dashes at the waking world, was the con-
struction OF an oyster she'll wall in cor
ner, by two other youths Of tender age; on
which fertilization the two in bed made
harassing descents like those accused
Picts and Scots who beleaguer the early
historical studies of most young Britons)
and then withdrew TO their own territory.
In addition to the stir attendant on these
inroads, and the retors of the invaded, who
pursued holly, and made lunges at the bed
clothes under which the marauders took
refuge, another little boy, in another little
bed, contributed his mite Of confusion to
the family stock, by casting his boots upon
tho waters, in other words, by launching
these and several small objects, inoffensive
in themselves, though OF hard substance
considered as missiles, at the disturbers Of
his repose-who were not slow to return
these compliments.
Besides which, another little boy-the
biggest there, but still little-was lettering
to and fro, bent on one side, and considera
bly, affected in his knees by the weight Of a
large baby, which he was supposed, by a
fiction that obtains sometimes in sanguine
families, to be hushing to sleep. But oh!
the inexhaustible regions Of contemplation
and watchfulness into which this baby s
eyes were then only beginning to compose
themselves TO stare, over his unconscious
shoulder
1t was a very Moloch of a baby, on
whose insatiate altar the whole existence Of
this particular young brother was offered up
daily sacrifice. Its personality may be
be said to have consisted in its never being
quiet, in any one place, for five consecutive
minutes, and never going to sleep when re-
quired. "Tetterby's baby" was as vel
known in the neighborhood as the POSTWAR
or the pot~boy.
1t roved from doorstep to doorstep II
the arms of little Johnny Tetterby. anC
legged heavily at the rear Of troops of ju
veniles who followed the Tumblers or thu
, Monkey, and came up, all on one side, |
little too late for everything that was at
4 tractive, from Monday morning until Sat
urday night. Wherever childhood congre
gated to play, there was little Moloch ma
: king Johnny fsg and toll. Whereve
Johnny desired TO stay, little Moloch be
4 came fractions. and would not remain
o Whenever Johnny wanted to 60 out, Mo
loch was asleep, ard must be watched
q Whenever Johnny wanted to stay at home
Moloch was awake, and must be take
4 out. Yet Johnny was verify persuaded tina
. il was faultless baby, without its peer il
A the realm OF England, and was quite cor
A tent to catch meek glimpses Of things i
general from behind its skirts, or over il
limp tagging bonnet, and to go staggerin
about with il like very little porter wit
A very large parcel, which was not directe
to any body, and could never be delivere
any where.
Il Tetterby himself, however, in his it'll
4 parlor. as already mentioned, having tn
presence Of young family impressed upo
# his mind in manner too clamorous to b
disregarded, or to comport with the qui,
perusal Of a newspaper, laid down his p;
,e per, wheeled. in his distraction. a few time
- round the parlor, like an undecided carrie
n pigeon, made an Intellectual rush at one {
I two flying little figures in bed-gowns, thl
SKINNED past him, and then, bearing sun
Of denly down upon the only unoffendin
Of member Of the family, boxed the ears
N little Moloch's nurse.
You bad boyl said Mr.. Tetterb,
he haven't you any feeling for your poor faith
: after the fatigues and anxieties of han
n winters day, since five o'clock in the NOR
ing, but you must wither his rest, and co
ar rode his latest Intelligence, with 20,
,s vicious tricks! Isn't il enough, sir, tn
q. your brother Dolphus is toiling and moilir
N in the fog and cold, and you rolling in Il
mr. lisp of luxury with with a baby, al
everything you can wish for said Mr.. TIE
terby, heaping this up as great climax
blessings, but you must make wilderne
Of home, and maniacs Of your parents?-
TO Must you, Johnny! Hey?' AT each i
st. terrogation, Mr.. Tetterby made a feint
n. boxing his ears again. but thought better
ct it, and held his hand.
q. oh, father whimpered Johnny, 'wh,
| wasn't doing anything, I'm sure, but
lis king such care of Sally, and getting her
a. sleep. Oh, father!
. Il wish my little woman would con
On home!' said Mr.. Tetterby, relenting al
repenting, Il only wish my little won,
n. would come home! amt fit to deal wi
lie 'em. They make my head go round, al
get the better Of me. Oh, Johnny Isl
T. it enough that your dear mother has pr
vided you with that sweet sister, indicatil
hIoloch. isn't it enough that you we
" seven boys before, without a ray Of "a
and that your mother went through VIII
at she did go through, on purpose that y
v might all OF you have little sister. b
Il you must so behave yourself as to NAL
my head swim?'
II Softening more and more, as his ov