New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-07-11
A Model Baby.

There was only one baby among the members
OF the late excursion party up the Mississippi to
the Falls Of st. Anthony. That baby was only
SIX months oid-a son Of Henry Farnam, ESQ,
the engineer Of the Chicago and Rock Island
Railroad. When the baby was first brought On
board the Golden Era, some Of the company
shrugged their shoulders, and others said
:" "humph." One erusty old bachelor muttered,
eve may look out for squalls now;n and a
young man with moustaches, who passed for
wit, sighed for the days of good King Herod
The baby, meanwhile, locked about and crowed
a little, and then quietly entertained himself
with sucking his fist
Well; from the time we left Rock Island on
Monday evening, till we returned the following
Saturday, not cry or the suspicion Of cry
was uttered by the baby. He was indeed q
charming little fellow-always bright and
placid, and ready to meet half way those who
were disposed to be attentive OF the sensation
of fear he seemed to be utterly ignorant. He
would go to the arms Of rough old backwoods-
man, az 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 any body else for the
general entertainment. 1t was frequently SSo-
posed to pinch him to see if he could cry and
in one instance the experiment was tried with
out success. The features of the gruf old bach
elor, who had looked SO austerely at first on
this infant phenomenon, would now relax as he
came in sight, and he at last ventured upon the
experiment of taking him in his arms, and found
to his delight that the baby maintained his good
character even in has inexperienced embrace
Ihe general satisfaction at the baby's unpar-
alleled behaviour at length manifested itself in
substantial form. 1t was resolved to get up
| a testimonial. A subscription was put in cir
| culstlon for gold cup to be presented as
token of the admiration and esteem of the pas
sengers, 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 for
| nal presentation of this Offering was then made.
| Mr. Rockwell, late member of Congress from
Connecticut, was deputed to address the baby.
| This he did in the presence OF the assembled
passengers, the baby meanwhile being held in
| his mothers arms, and always jumping and
| chuckling at the right place in Mr. Rockwelrs
| speech. The speech, which was 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 occa-
sion, and who spoke in the little fellows behalf
in admirable style, now witty and now beauti-
| full for upwards of five minutes. Both speeches
were much enjoyed and applauded. Ex-Presi-
dent Fillmore was appointed to prepare an in
| scription for the gold cup; task which he ac-
complished with his accustomed good taste !;
and Mr.. Rockwell was appointed to purchase
| the cup.
| Thus ended one of the pleasant little episodes
| of the great excursion-one that must be always
remembered with pleasure by those who wit
| messed it, and especially by the parents of the
child, who so early in life won so solid mark
of the appreciation of his seniors. Boston
| Transcript