Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1854-08-21
From the Boston Transcript.
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
The baby was only six months old-a son
Iof Henry Farnham, 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
'shumph.' One crusty old bachelor mutt
tered, 1--WE may look out for squalls now y
and young man with mustaches, who pas
Ised for wit, sighed for the days Of good
King Herod. The baby meanwhile looked
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 on the
following Saturday, not a cry, nor the sus-
picion Of cry, was uttered by the baby.
He was indeed charming little fellow
always bright and placid, and ready to
meet halfway those who were disposed to
be attentive. Of the sensation Of fear he
seemed to be utterly ignorant. He would
90 to the arms Of a rough old backwoods-
man as readily as to the arms of the beau
tiful NissW. or Miss j., and remain conten-
ted awayfrom his mother or nurse till, fearful
that he was giving trouble, they would come
in search Of him. But instead Of Civ
ing trouble, he seemed to be doing
more than any body else for the gener-
fal entertainment. 1t was frequently pro
posed to punch him to see if he could ery,
and in one instance the experiment was
tried without success. The features Of the
grutf old bachelor, who had looked so aus
tentiously at first on this infant phenome-
non, would now relax as he came in sight,
and he at last yentured up to the expert
ment Of taking him in his arms, and found
to his delight that the baby maintained his
good character even in his inexperienced
embrace.
The general satisfaction at the baby's I'M
paralleled behavior at length manifested it.
self in substantial form. It was resolved
to get up testimonial. A subscription
was put in circulation for a 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 from their enjoyment, liber-
ally opened their purses and subscribed the
handsome sum Of $500 Mr. Rockwell, late
member of Congress from Connecticut, was
/ ,,cauted to address the baby. This he did
in the presence Of the assembled passen-
gers, the baby meanwhile being held N his
mothers. arms, and always jumping and
.ehuclding at the right place in Mr.. Rock
wells speech.
The speech, which was capital one, land
Ienunciated with due gravity and dignity,
was followed by . reply from Professor
Twinning, of New Haven, the baby's me-
dim on the occasion, and who spoke in the
little fellows behalf III beautiful style,
now witty and now beautiful, for
upwards Of five minutes. Both speeches
were much enjoyed and applauded. Elk
President Fillmore was appointed to pre-
pare an inscription for the gold cup;
which he accomplished with his accustomed
good taste; and Mr. Rockwell was appoin-
ted to puchase the cup. Thus ended one
Of the pleasantest episodes of this great ex-
cursion.