Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-07-02
THE BACHELOR AND TEEEI
SARX.

What shall L do?'' and the old
bachelor stamped about the sitting room
in perfect rage of doubt, looking first
at the mapping babe, in the little willow
cradle, and then at the busy French
clock on the mantel shelf.
"As sure as my name is Joseph Phelps,
that little two-fsted, large-lunged ne
phew of mine is about waking, and it
wants an hour of the time which its
mother appointed for her return. Whewl
[ actually swet thinking about it. What
can l do with it? How can treat it to
sugar what ye-call- ems, or hold it, or
Itrot it, or do anything with it p
saTstt'ts..sIss 90
baby receptacle brought bachelor Joseph
to his taps. With an energy and alac-
rity that would not lily become hus-
band and a baby-tender, he commenced
rocking the cradle, sending the indig-
nant baby into perfect tremor of kicks
and squalls Backward and forward
from one side Of the pillow to the other,
the round, red face rolled the infants
fists were clinched with force that
purpled them, while from the white,
plump throat came a cry that set the
bachelor Wild with lear.
Again Joe looked at the clock.
"What in the deuce can l do P" he
exclaimed, viewing wofully the little in
famed face before him.
He sat down in a big chair before
baby, spread a double table quilt over
his knees, and with look of terror up
on his face, proceeded to take the baby
from its resting place. He drew the
young hopeful into his lap, just as a
very neat old lady would pick up a
ocket-handkerchief with his thumbs
and fingers. A fresh yell from the rosy
mouth of the baby was the only express
ion of thanks as he commenced the
never QUITO fashion baby trot.
6" 1t must be that something is
pricking him r' "Shoe shoe p said
Joe, commencing q search for the aggra-
waiting pin that was driving the baby
into such a rage, but no pin could be
found and he made an attempt to turn
the baby over, but oh the clumsiness
of his fngers-the little cel-like form
fell out from his lap to the floor, send
ing forth cry that was X louder, clear
cr dcadlier than before"
Lord save me, I've broke its neck p
was the exclamation as he~picked the
baby up, and in the agony of despair
tried to quiet him. A thought struck
Joe; he saw a basque hanging against
the wall of an adjoining bed room, and
with a smile of delight upon his coun
tenance, he went for it. Sure enough,
there it was, stufing, bodice and ala
real monument Of feminine ingenuity.
He was wild with JOY. He pinned it
over his coat, and fastened the sleeves
behind him. He took the baby and
laid its head against the false breast
work
Shades of Southern plantations and
cotton factories" exclaimed j Joc, as baby
rooted It's nose in about mile, then
cuddIcd for 4 snooze. Then the bache
Ior commenced singing
4 tap upon the door stopped Joe in
the midst of his suggestive song, and
before he had time to disarray himself,
the door was opened, and a roguish,
pair CT eyes peered in upon
him.
q Your sister is not ct homo, is she 2
the visitor.
No ma'am," stammered Joe, grow
ing very red in the face "and l have
turned nurse =
Miss Hayes laughed, offered to relieve
him of his charge, which he willingly
to, sitting near by the while,
Watching her. She managed
the baby to charm, without the basque,
and Joe was captivatcd.
Joseph Phelps married Fanny Hayes.