Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-07-01
DAILY EVENING STAR.
From the Boston. Transcript, June %.
. A MODEL BABY. +.

= 3AV0SA 0A04. TE8E
g There was only one baby among tht
members of the late excursion party ur
the Mississippi to the Fall of st. Anthony.
That baby was only six months old-s
son Of Henry Farnam, Esq, the enrinee,
OF the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad.
When the baby WAS first brought on
board the Golden Era, some Of the com.
pany shrugged their shoulders and other
says ''humph. One crusty old bachelor
muttered, eve may look out for squalls
now;;" and young man with mustaches,
who passed for wit, sighed for the day {
Of good King Herod. The baby mean.
while locked about and crowed little,
and then quietly entertained himself with
sucking his fist. ~.
Well, from the time we left Rock Is.
land ON Monday evening till we return
on the following Saturday, not a cry OF
the suspicion Of . cry was uttered BY the
baby. He was indeed charming little
fellow-always bright and placid, and
ready to meet half way those who were
disposed to be attentive. OF the sensa-
ton of fear he seemed to be utterly igno-
rant. He would 90 to the arms of q rough
old backwoodsman 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 trouble he seemed
to be doing more than anybody else for
the general entertainments. It was fire.
quently proposed to pinch him to see If
he ''could" cry; nd in one instance the
experiment was tried without success.
The features of the gruf old bachelor,
who had looked so austerely at first on
this infant phenomenon, would now relax
as he came in sight, and he at least ven.
tured upon the experiment of taking him
in his arms, and found to his delight that
the baby mainta ned his good character
even in his inexperienced embrace.
The general satisfaction at the baby s
unparalleled behavior at length manifested
itself in substantial form. 1t was re-
solved to get up testimonial. A sub
scription was put in circulation for q gold
cup, to be presented as token of the
admiration and esteem of the passengers
who, when they reflected how much a
crying baby might have detracted from
their enjoyment, literally opened their
purses, and subscribed the handsome sum
of $3.50. A formal presentation of this
offering was then made. Mr.. Rockwell,
late member of Congress from Connecti-
cut, was deputed to address the baby
This he did in the presence of the assem-
bled passengers, the baby meanwhile be-
ing held in his mothers arms, and always
jumping and chuckling at the right place
in Mr.. Rockwell's speech.
The speech, which was q capital one,
and enunciated with due gravity and
dignity, was followed by reply from
Professor Twining. of New Haven, the
baby's medium on the occasion, and who
spoke in the little fellows behalfin admi-
rable style, now witty and now beautiful,
for upwards of five minutes. Both
speeches were much enjoyed and applaud
ed. Ex-PresidentN Fillmore was appointed
to prepare an inscription for the gold cup;
a task which he accomplished with his
accustomed good taste; and Mr.. Rock
well was appointed to purchase the cup.
Thus ended one of the pleasantest lit
tie episodes of the great excursion-one
that must be always remembered with
pleasure by those who witnessed it, and
especially by the parents of the child
who so early in life won SO solid mark
of the appreciation of his seniors.
ONE OF THE SPECTATORS,