The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1854-10-20

tent themselves by listening to the music
Some, more anxious than the rest-pent!e
men we mean-climbed the adjoining trees
and enjoyed free gratis for nothing, a stolen
peep at the Baby Convention, Which, from
their expressions we judged was highly graf
flying.
At l! O'Clock q large circle was formed
by rope around the tent, and outside of
this the uninterested adults were made to
stand, which they did patiently, under the
promises that the babies would soon be ax-
hibited. The judges were then elected,
whose duty 1t was to enter the tent, examine
the babies and award the premiums.
The Judges were about proceeding to
their task, when Il telegraph was received,
announcing that number os babies were
on the train from Dayton, and would be
there at IL o'clock, and requesting post
poncment of the examination until said ba-
bies arrived. The request was acceded to
to the great discomfort Of the "Conveution''
then in session. A few minutes after il, the
Judges entered the tent, and through the
kindness of the managers, and probably
with the consent Of the babies, we were per
mitted to enter the sanctuna sanctoruDs and
look upon the scene.
The tent presented novel, AMUSING and
interesting sight. The mothers and nurses
were seated and the "littlc darlings" all
ready for inspection, that is as near ready
as could be. To see SO many babies togeth-
er was novel; TO note the maternal efforts
to present them in the best mood, was anu
sing, and to gaze upon their innocent faces
and purest Of charms was certainly inter
esting.
There sat mother, her eyes directed al
tcrnately on the judges and on little cher
ub which lay in her lap BY her sat an
other, holding up proudly lovely little girl,
whose tlaxcn curls and sweet blue eyes would
soften the heart of the greatest baby-hater
i'll Christcndom. Next to her n nurse was
endeavoring to quiet a stout, black eyed, ro-
sy checked zone year DID," who insists on
pulling the jet black ringlcts of another one
about its own age. One lady pointed witt,
pride 10 the chubby legs Of her darling boy
while another glowngly refers to tho deli,
cate but well-formed features of her sweet
babe. One boasted Of having the largest
OF its age; another of the smallest and
smartest. Some Of the babies seemed to
feel their Importance OH this occasion, and,
i'll spite Of the most earnest entreatics, would
be i'll mischief and keep up a continued
noise. Others appeared unwilling to "bc
licve their eyes" and lay quietly in their
mothers arms, watching the proceedings
with apparent interest, while others insisted
on hiding their innocent faces in theif mo-
ther's bosom, as if they knew their refuge
was there.
Then the expressions which fell on ones
ears! "Tome to mudder's arms, mudder's
little pet" "Oh! YOU darling little toad III
"B'ess its little heart, it shall have some tam
dy." "Tot, tot to Baridyboss, or~its ma
mas little hoss." "Stan' up, muzzcr's little
pet" It's sweet, so it is, mudder knows it
is." dump it it wants to, tause it can
dump" "Tiss mama now, won'tit tss ma
maa" "Now what naughty boy, sec, the
gentlemen are coming" "That's good
baby-nurse can tome its hair, an it don't
try bit" "Sweety, sweety, mothers sweet"
and an hundred more just such expressions.
One hundred and twenty-seven babies
were entered for exhibition. And they came
from almost everywhere. Several counties,
including Hamilton of Ohio, were we'll rep
resented, and then there were babies from
Indiana, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and Mass
achusetts We would publish tho names,
but for serious protests Of the parents, who
do not desire the world to know that their
babies entered, for the prizes and did not get
it. We appfsciate their feelings and sub
init to tieirTsquest.
Large and fatehldren seemed TO predom-.
mate. One from Indiana, five months old, !,
weighed twenty-seven and asshalf pounds.
Another, sil four months cd weighed twenty
pounds. 2" a
An elderlylady was present With Her sev-.
entesnM baby, oily two months old. She
claimed nothingys gysxsraordinary in the child,
bat thought she was deserving of q premium
--aud abe certainly is. ..ss.Eg7s.. !. 49,
The session of the judges wasa long ono,
but about O'clock in the evening the iual
decision was madegand the priasA awarded
as follows: g. ass,! : a. p
First prize splendid service of silver
plate, including large salver, to the daugh-
terof VIM. Romner of. Vienna, CLARK coun-
Ity, aged tensfhonths. p S*'r g "' ? s''''f
Second prize; servics Of silver plate, to
the son of VIM. Med Of, Fulton, Ham
ilton county, Ohio, aged thirteen months. !;
Third prize, plain service Of silver, tc
tthefdaugHter Of Mr.. A. Canon Of PhiIatlel
ufffff. IA y
Grsat dissatsssap aption sttts expressed Sat,th,
EawaSdicf icff thu ffirs IL was thought 1
.tw9hId be giiSen at ones toths dadahserso q
Howe gincinra and sit Mss eve
psosed 20 take up % aaalscr ON ta