Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-09-29
MISCELLANY.
BLESS THE BABY.

The reader may be curious to know at what
period the even, ! am about to relate occurred
Reasons Of delicacy, however, prevent me from
gratifying even so reasonable desire and |
will only say that the narrowing circumstance
took place in the summer Of a certain year, be-
tween the time Of the arrival Of the first bear at
the Geological Gardens in London and the pres
ent day.
had been midshipman on board the well
known ship named after his majesty King Will
liam the Fourth but, receiving letters from
home announcing my fathers death, had Just
returned to take possession, as well as a minor
could, Of the family estate. was not very
well acquainted with the world-except the
liquid part of it--haVing been brought up 10 a
country town and shipped in boyhood but to
make up for that had an excellent opinion Of
myself, and watched both with pride and ankle
~ the sprouting Of a promising musiache.
One evening, after getting myself into full
tog, was displaying my horsemanship near
the Geological Gardens which saw in the path
leading to the entrance one Of the loveliest wo-
men that ever appeared to the eyes of an ex-
REFER. What was that to me ] do not know.
II was thing completely settled ia my mind
that | was full-qrown man and that full
grown man has right TO look at any woman.
In short dismounted, gave my horse to the
groom, and followed my divinity A little girl
was behind her, walking with the nursemaid,
who had another child, an infant, in her arms :;
and to my great satisfaction this careless servant
put the baby presently into the arms Of the old
er girl not much bigger than itself watched
the nroceedior aarrf fto ftftfa .-..s.w. - -.
walk was but a totter at the best, swaying to
and fro under her burden, and the baby's long
clothes trailing on the ground.
Madam said to the lady-iouching nv
hat in quarterback fashion, that baby, fear,
is in dangerous hands Won are perhaps not a.
ware Of III She turned instantly. II was
what wanted bot the fash received from
her beautiful eyes had world Of haughtiness
in il and although she bent her head slightly
and said, Sir, ! thank you, did not dare 10
continue the conversation, but walked rapidly
on. 10 fact it was obvious the woman thought
! had takep'an unwsrrantable liberty in critics I
ing the arrangements Of her walk and as
when turning away ! caught a smile at my dis I
comfture on the face Of the nursemaid, who /
snatched the baby roughly away, Indignation
mingled with my awkwardness.
Who was this ladyl Was she the mother
OF the two children Was she the gogeness
Was she a relation Was she single or mar
ried She was single she was the mothers
sister decided upon that And after all,
was her naughty look so very reprshensible
Had she rot been addressed by a stranger man
"A man Of somewhat distingue figure and most
promising mustaches Ieenied and as
saw her enter The gardens my heart gave a great
leap; for considered it uncommonIy likely
that lion would break Loose, or something or
other occur to draw forth my ehValry and ex-
tort her gratitude. was not 10 error in NV
anticipations; although Me circumstance chat
did occur was too Wild even for an Imagination
like mine. Had it come suddenly. almost
think should have shut my eyes, held NV
breath, and stood sill but as it was. had
time TO reflect the uppermost idea in my mind /
was, that would do something heroic, some.
thing desperate; and when opportunity offered
j instantaneously did il.
The party, with many others, were looking
over the incloseure at the bear on his pole and
10 order that all might sec, the nursemaid had
the little girl in her arms, while the little Girl
had the baby in hers. This arrangement was
not very Toprehensible as a momentary freak
for the maid Of course had got hold of both the
children--lhe elder of whom was jumping with
glee and my attention therefore was exclusive
~ directed to the lady, who stood absorbed in the
spectacle before NE. All on sudden there
was a scream from the little girl the uniortu-
nate baby was over the inclosure, and living sem
seless on its face in the arena, and the gigantic
bear was hastily descending the pole to secure
his prey.
To climb the inclosure and spring into The
arena did not take many momenis-but il took
me too many. was al little distance from
The spot, and before | reached it, the bear had
caught up the infant, whose lille face was
buried in It's fur; and, on my approach, made
TOR the pole, and began 10 ascend with great
EaPidity. followed without giving myself
time for moments reflection, and while /
climbed caught hold OF the long clothes of the
haoy' The action was well-intended, but the