New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1855-07-10
Bless the Baby.

TOOK place in the summer of q certain year, be-
tween the time Of the arrfvaf Of the frst bear at
the Geological Gardens in London and the pre-
sent day.
had been q midshipman on board the we'll
known ship named after His Majesty King Will
liam the Fourth; but receiving letters from
home announcing my fathers death, I had just
returned to this country 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 fit--haying been brought
up In country town, and shipped in beyhood
but to make up! for that, had an excellent
opinion Of myself, and watched both with pride
and anxiety the sprouting Of What conceived
to be very promising moustache.
One evening, after getting myself into full
togsl was displaying my horsenanship near the
Geological Gardens, when / saw in the path
Leading to the entrance, one of the Ioyeliest
women that ever appeared TO the eyes Of an ex-
REFER. What was that to me! do not know.
twas thing completely settled in my mind
thatii was full-grown man, and that q full
grown man has a right to look at any woman
In short, l dismounted, gave my horse to the
groom, and followed my divinity. a little girl
was behind her, walking with the nursesmaid,
who had another child, an infant, in her arms;
and to my great satisfaction, this careless SER
want put the baby presently into the arms of
the older girl, not much bigger than ITSELF /
watched the proceeding, saw the little creature,
whose walk was but totter at the best, sway
ing to and fro under her burden, and the baby's
long clothes trailing On the ground
Madam said I to the lady, touching my
hat in quarter deck fashion, 3. that baby; /
fear, is in dangerous hands yeu are perhaps
not aware Of it," She turned round Instantly.
II was what wanted, but the flash received
from her beautiful eyes had world Of haughti-
ness in it; and although she bent her head
slightly, and said: :" Sir, | thank you," l did
not dare to continue the conversation, but
walked rapidly on. In fact, it was obvious the
woman thought had taken an unwarrantable
liberty in criticizing the arrangements of her
walk; and as when turning away / caught a
smile at my discontinue on the face Of the
nurse maid, who snatched the baby roughly
away, indignation mingled with my awkward
ness
Who was this lady? Was she the mother Of
the two children' Was she the governesss
Was she single, or married She was single?
she was the mothers sister: / decided upnn
that. And, after all, was her naughty look 80
very reprehensible Had she not been ad-
dressed suddenly by stranger, and that
stranger a mana man of somewhat distingue
figure, and most promising monstaches? I re-
Tented; and as | saw her enter the Gardens my
heart gave a great leap, for Iconsidered it un-
commonly likely that lion would break loose,
or something or other occur to draw forth my
chivalry, and extort her gratitude. / was not
in error in my anticipations; though the cir
cumstance that did occur was too wild for even
an imagination like mine Had it come sud
denly, l almost think 7 should have shut my
eyes, held my breath, and stood still; but as it
was 1 had no time to reflect; the uppermost
idea in my head was, that would do something
heroic, something desperate and when oppor-
tunity offered, instantaneously did it.
'hp fsfy trjft h pth laoT,
over the inclosure at the bear on his pole; and
in order that all might see, the nurse maid had
the little girl in her arms, while the little girl
had the baby in hers. This arrangement was
not very reprehensible, as a momentary freak,
for the maid had good hold of both the children,
the elder Of whom was jumping with glee; and
my attention, therefore, was exclusively di-
reeted to the lady, who stood absorbed in the
spectacle before me. All on sudden there was
a scream from the little girl--the unfortunate
baby was over the inelosure, and lying senseless
on its face in the area, and the gigantic bear
was hastily descending the pole to secure its
prey.
10 climb the inclosure and spring into the
area did not take me many moments, but it took
me toe many. was at little distance from
the spot, and before reached it, the bear had
caught up the infant, whose little face was
buried in its fur; and on my approach made
for the pole, and began to ascend with great
rapidity. followed, without giving myself
time for o moments reflection, and while
climbed caught hold Of the long clothes Of the
baby. The action was we'll intended, but the
consequences were dreadful-perhaps fatal for
the bear loosed his hold, and the poor little
thing fell to the ground, | began mechanically
to descend; but did NOT dare to look at what
was in all probability lifeless corpse. And
presently / could not look, for the exigenoies of
my own position demanded my every thought.
The bear above was descending with huge
strides and angry growls and another below
great black monster, of whose presence in the
inclosure had not been aware--was shambling
along to the support of his comrade, and had
already almost reached the pole.
The fix was terrible, but it lasted only an in
slant; for the keeper now made his appearance,
and with few hearty wallops sent the black
bear to the right about, while my pursuer stop
ped short with terrific growl. ..l-
''What are you doing here - cried the keeper
| as | staggered upon the ground. Is l must give
you in charge to the police for q lunaticr'
:" Never mind me- said l family, 'slook to
the child, for dare not =
g The child what child? y
&C Are you Blind Therer' and forced my
eyes upon the hideous spectacle, .
The creatures head was off! 1t was wax!
| Ihardly know how got over the inclosure
A sound Of laughter was in my brain, as if
was made of ears and every ear ringing it
loudest. The nurse-maid enjoyed the adVentur
more than anybody, but the little girl in he
arms clutched att me furiously, as if charging m
with the murder Of her doll, aud was not paci
fed till the fragments of that sickening hab
were handed to her over my shoulder Idarte
away; and it was high time,to do so, for al
| the company in the Gardens were rushing to th
| spot.
| The fair cause of the mischief was standing
little way off, leaning on the arm of tall noble
looking man, with moustaehes ten times as bi
as mine She seemed choking between alarr
and present mirth and as passed:
t'Sir," said she, with swelling cheeks and un
steady voice, "my husband wishes to thank yor
for our little girls dOlll' But was off Like
shot, without waiting even to touch my nat
and thankful was | to get out of the gaze, 10
many of the spectators on seeing me run, foi
, lowed mechanically.
1t would be in vain to attempt describing N,
reflections as sped rapidly along But in tn
] midst of all, / knew what was before mel ha
nm intense consciousness of what was to be done
: NV resolve was fixed, and felt an insane joy a
the idea that no possible intervention could pre-
vent me from executing it.. As soon as reaches
home, L went straight to my own room, locke
and bolted myself in, sat deliberately down be
fore the glass, drew forth my razor, and shave
off my moustaches.