Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-07-26

A MODEL BABY.-There was only one
baby among the members of the late excur-
sion party up the Mississippi TO the Falls OF
St. Anthony. That baby was only six
months old-a son of Henry Farnarn, Esq,
the Engineer, of the Chicago and Rock Is
land Railroad When the baby was first
brought on board the Golden Era. some OF
the company shrugged up their shoulders.
and others said 'humph." One cruSty old
bachelor muttered eve may look out for
squalls now" and young man with NOUS
tacheS, who passed for w.t. siohed for the
days OF good King Herod. The baby mean
while, looked about and crowed little, and
then quietly entertained himself with suck
ing his fist.
Well; from the time we left Rock Island
on Monday evening, till we returned the
following Saturday, not cry or the su>pi-
cion of a cry was uttered by the baby. He
was indeed charming little felow-al-
ways bright and placid, and ready to meet
half way those who were disposed to be at
tentive. OF the sensation of fear, he seem
ed to be utterly ignorant. lie would 90 to
the arms of rough old backwoods as
readily as to those of the beautiful Miss W.
or Miss j.: and remain contented away
from his mother or nurse, till fearful that
he was giving trouble, they would come in
search of him. But instead of giving lrou-
ble he seemed to be doing moe than any
body else for the general entertaiument.-
1t was frequently proposed to plEch him TO
see if he would cry and in one instance
the experiment was trIed without success
The features of the gruif old bachelor who
had looked so austerey at first OR this in.
fant phenomenon, would now relax as he
came in sight, and he at last ventured up
on the experiment Of taking him in his arms
and found 10 his delight that the baby main
tanned his good character even in his mex
perienced embrace.
The general satisfaction of the baby's un-
paralleed behaviour at length manifested
itself in a substantial form. 1t was reSolv
ed 10 get up testimonial. A subscription
was put in circulation for gold cup to be
presented as token Of the admiration and
esteem OF the passengers, who, when they
reflected how much crying baby might
have detracted hom their enjoyment, libe-
rally opel ed their purses, and sub, crbed he
handsome SUN OF $3.50. A form al preSen-
tation of this Offering was then made MIR.
Rockwell. late member of Congress from
Connecticut, was dcputed to address the ba-
by. This he did, in the presence of the AS
sembled passengers, the baby meanN hiIe
being held in bis mothers arms, and always
jumping and chucking at the right place
in Mr., Rockwelrs speech, The speech,
winch was a capital one, and enunciated
with due gravity and dignity, was followed
by reply from Professor Twning ofNew
Haven, The baby'S mgdipm on the occasion.
I-and who spoke in the little follows behalf
IN admirable style, now witty, and now
beautiful, for upwards Of FIVE minutes
Both speeches were much enjoyed and ap-
pIauded. Ex-ptcsldcnt Fillmore was ap-
pointed to prepare an inscription for the
god cup; task which he accomplished
with his accustomed coed taste; and Mr.
Rockwell was appointed to purchase the
cup.
Thus ended one of the pleasant little ep,
sodeS Of the great excurSl)n-one that
must be always remembered with pleasure
oy those who witnessed it, and especially
by the parents of the child who so early
in life won so solid a mark Of the approba-
ton Of his seniors.-Bosioa Transcript.