The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-07-16
THE BACHELOR AND THE BABY.
DY OSCAR DUMAS.

Edward Thornton was ono of that small
class of9bachelors, who are so, not from ne
cessity, but from inclination lie would as
soon have been suspected Of highway rob-
berry as of any intention of committing
matrimony.
Still, he was very polite and gallant to
tho ladies. have observed that such is
more likely to be the case with your thor
ough going bachelors, than with married
men. will leave the philosophical reader
to speculate on the cause of this singular
ity, if such it may be called, while pro-
ceed with my story.
Business had called Mr.. Thornton to a
city some fifty miles distant from the place
of his residence. His business arrange
ments satisfactorily concluded, lie had, at
the opening of this veracious narrative,
seated himself in the cars which were to
bear him back.
Opposite him in the cars sat young
woman, respectfully attired, with babe,
perhaps three months old, in her lap. The
baby was not remarkably pretty-no ba-
bies are at that age-and the expression of
its countenance indicated about the same
degree of intelligence as you would expect
to find in a week old kitten. The mother,
for such she evidently was, was encumbered
with nothing else but small carpet bag,
which doubtless contained supply Of cloth
ing for the journey. At the first way sta
ton, the woman rose hurriedly, and said to
Mr.. Thornton
"Will you have the kindness, sir, to take
charge of my baby and carpet bag for a
moment? I have just caught glimpse of
a friend, through the window, with whom
I:wish to speak for moment"
"Certainly, ma'am," said our bachelor
friend and he took the baby, awkwardly
enough, and placed the carpet bag at his
feet. :
The female, thus discncumbercd, left the
cars. Our friend, not being used to such
charge as he had undertaken, felt little
embarrassed, but consoled himself by the
reflection that it would be but for a mo-
ment.
But to his CONSERVATION, the cars star
ted, without bringing back the owner Of
the baby.
Good lleavcns!" thought lie, "she has
been left. How distressed she will be about
her child. Here" he said to the conduc-
tor, who was just passing through the car,
"you have left one Of your passengers be-
hind you-a woman WHO occupied the op-
posite seat.'
"Oh," said the conductor, she didn't in
tend to get in again. She walked away
quite in an opposite direction. But here is
a letter she told Inc to give to gentleman
with baby"
Thornton tore it open with trembling
hands, and read the following:
"Dear Sir: Finding it no longer conven-
lent to retain tho charge of my baby,
have confied it to your charge, feeling con-
fident, from tho benevolent expression of
your countenance, that you will take good
care,of it. As it has no namo, you might
give it your own, if youplease"
%"P. s. The valise contains the ohild's
clothing. tits sufficiently as supplied for tho
present" -
"Good heavens p thought our now un-
happy bachelor. "That's cool, and no mis-
take. With what face shall 1 meet nv
friends, with such an encumbrance
Just then the child began to cry. Here
was new perplexity.
"What shall I doc" thought Edward
Thornton. "Let me see. I'll trot it."
And forthwith lie began to trot the child
in the most violent manner. TO his great
astonishment, this only made it cry the
more.
Your child seems troublesome" said a
lady, who had entered the cars at the
same place where the child's mother cot
out.
"Mine, ma'am it isn't mine !"
Excuse me-" said the lady, possibly it
is friends"
"No, ma'am, it is-well, don't know
whose it is. I never saw it before,ia my
life"
After glance of surprise, she said, IL
presume it is hungry. Poor child ~
The child continued to cry.
Perhaps, ma'am, you could satisfy biz
hunger"
"sira" said the lady, drawing shersell
up
"oh, I didn't mean anything, ma'am,
assure you," said Edward Thornton, resIiz
ing the Interpretation which might be pu,
upon his words.
The lady looked as If she Didn't believe
it; and said no more.
At length, after two houra Of the slowest
l ksc. ~ g..