Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-07-29
MR.. BLIFKINS'S BABY.

That first baby was great institution
As soon as be came into this breathing
world" as the late w. Shakespeare has it, he
took command 10 our house. Everything was
subservient to him. The baby was the tai
ance wheel that regulated everything. lie
regulated the temperature, he regulated the
food, he regulated the servants. he regulated
me. For the fret six mouths Of that precious
existence he had me up on an average Fix
times night. MIR Rlifkins," says my
wife, "bring that light here, do; the baby
looks strangely; Fun SO afraid IT will have a
f,w OF course the lamp was brought, and
of course the baby lay sucking his fist like
a little white bear, as he was. "Mr. Bit
kine," said my wife, 81 think feel draught
of air; wish you would get up and see if
the window is not ouen little, because baby
might get sick" N,tbing was the matter
with the window as knew very well. "Mr.
Blitkins," says my wife, just as | was going
II sleep again, "that lamp, as you have place.
it, shines directly in baby's eyes-strapge
that you have no more consideration" a.
ranged the light and went to bed again
Jast as | was dropping to sleep again, MIR.
Bliikins," said my wife, did you think to
huy that broma to-day for the baby? "My
dear" said /, twill you do me the injustice
to believe that could overlook matter 50
esseDtial to the comfort of that inestimatle
child?" She apclogsed very handsomely
but made her anxiety the scape goat tor
gave bier, and without saying word more 10
her addressed myself to sleep. mir. Blif-
kius," said my wife, shaking me, 'ycu must
not snore so, you will wake the baby" Just
l.1
was Scion Shingle. "Mr. Biifkins, said my
wife, twill you get up and hand the the warm
cruel from the nurse lamp for baby?--the
dear child. if it wasn't for his mother don't
know what be would dc. How can you sleep
81, Mr.. Blifkinsf" al suspect, my dear"
said !, chat it is because am tired" "Oh,
it's very we'll for you men to talk about be-
ing tired" said my wife; Il don't know what
you would say if you had to toi! and drudge
like a poor woman with baby" l tried
to soothe her by telling her she had no pa.
thence at all, ard got up for the pcsset -
Having aided in answering the bahy's re-
auirem ents, / stepped into bed again, with
tue hope of sleeping. mir. Bliikins," said
said she in louder key. said nothing
"Oh, DEAR" said that estinable woman, 10
great apparent anguish, chow can man,
who has arrived at the honor of live baby
of bis own, sleep, when he don't know that
the dear creature will live till mornineH |
remained silent, and, after a while, deeming
that Mrs. Blifkins had gone 10 sleep, |
stretched my limbs for repose. How long
slept don't know, but | was awakened by
furious jab in the forehead by some sharp
instrumeEt. started up, ard Mrs. Bii!-
kips was sitting up in the bed adjusting some
portion Of the baby's dress. She bad, in Il
state of semi-sonnolence, mistaken my head
for the pillow, which che customarily used
for a nocturnal piucushon. | protested
against such treatment in somewhat rouI
terms, pointing to seve hl perfcra,ions in my
forehead She told me | should willingly
bear such trifiing things for the sake Of the
baby. insisted upon it that didn't think
my duty as parent to that young immortal
required the surrender Of ny forehead Tor
pincushion. This was one of mary nights
passed in this way. The truth was, that the
baby was what every other mans first baby
is. an autocrat--absclute and unlimited
Such was the story of B'itkins as he relsted
it to US the other day. il is little e1agger-
ated picture Of almost everv mans expert
ence-- Saturday Eceni"g GazeHe