Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-03-30
The Bachelor and Baby.

"What shall do!" and the old bachelor
stamped about the sitting room in a perfect
rage Of doubt, looking first at the mapping
babe in the little willow cradle, and then st
the busy French clock on the mantle-shelG
"As sure as my name is joseph Phelps.
that little two-6sted. large -lunsed nephew Of
mine, is about waking, and il wants one whole
hour Of the time which its mother appointed
for her return. Whew. actually sweat,
thinking about it. What can L do with IL
how can treat it to sugar what dye call
ems, or hold it, or trot il, or do anything with
it?n
At this juncture faint vail from the baby
receptacle brought bachelor Joseph to his
tabs. With an energy and alserity that
would not lily become O husband and baby
tender. he commenced rocking the cradle; sem
ding the indignant baby into a perfect tre-
NOR Of kicks and squalls. Backwards and
forwards, FROM one side Of the pillow to the
other, the round, red face rolled; the infant
fists were clenched with a force that purpled
them; while from the white, plump throat,
came cry that set the bachelor wild with
fear.
Again Joe looked at the cIccx
what in the deuce can I do?n he ex-
claimed. viewing woefully the little infamsd
face before him.
spread double crsdle-quilt over his knees,
and with look Of terror upon his face, pro-
ceeded to take baby from its resting place
He drew the young hopeful into his lap, just
as a very neat old lady would pickup pocket
handkerchief with his thumbs and fingers
A fresh yell from the rosy mouth Of baby wss
the only expression Of thanks as be oommsn-
ced the never out-of fashion baby-trot
cit must be that something is prickins him.
Shoe! shoo!" said Joe, commencing Q search
| for the aggravating pin, that was driving the
child into such rage. But no pin Was to be
| found, and he made an attempt to turn baby
| over, but oh, the clumsiness OF his fingers the
little eel.like form fell out of his lap to the
floor, sending forth q cry that was louder,
| clearer, deadlier than before A"
Lord save me. I've broken It's neck"
was the exclamation as he pickle baby up, and
in the agony of despair tried to quiet him. a
| thought struck Joe He saw q basque hang
ing against the wall Of the adjoining bed.
room, and with q smile Of delight upon his
| cOuntenaRce, he went for it. Sure enough,
there it was, ,stufhng, bodice, and all real
| monument OF feminine ingenuity He was
wild with Joy. lie pinned IL over his coat ana
| fastened the sleeves behind him. He took
baby and laid its head against the iaise
| breast work
nSbsdes Of Southern plantations and cotton
| factoriesIi' exclaimed Joe, as baby rooted its
| nose into il about q mile, then cudalea tot
suooze. Then the bachelor commenced an-
Sc. wom,n are all Heeting show "
For mans delusion giseni
when d led with bran and s'uned with tow,
| Tley look qGis wsn-"
A tap upon the door stopped Joe in the
had time to disarray himself, the door was
opened, and rOguish, laughing pair of syes
! peered in upon him
Your sister is not at home, is she?" chir.
rupped the visitor
HNo, ma am, stammered Joe, growing very
| red in the face; /" and have turned narss-"
Miss Hays laughed: offered to relieve him
of his charge, which be willingly consented to;
sitting near by, the while, intently watehinS
her. She managed baby to q charm, WrheaS
| the basque, and Joe was captivstsd. a.
Joseph Phelps married Fanny Hsyes-upcn
my word he did. s.. .,