Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-10-07
NIr RlifsSin,s Baby


| That first baby was great institution
As soon as he came into this "breath
| ing world" as the late VIM. Shakespear
has it, he took command in our house
Everything was sudscrvient to him.
The baby was the balance wheel that
regulated everything. He regulaAlz zkhe
temperature, he regulated fife food, lie
regulated the servants, he regulated me.
For the first six months Of that precious
existence he had nc up en- an average
six times night.
".Nr. Blifkins," says my wife, 'bring
thatlight here, do the baby looks strange
ly-I am so afraid It will have a fit. y
OF course Tie lamp was brought, and
of course the baby lay sucking his fist
like little white bear, as he was.
"Mr. Blifkins," said my wife, 81 think
l fee! a draught of air; [ wish you would
get up and sec if the window is not o.
pen little. because baby might get
SICK
Nothing was the matter with the win
dow, as | knew very we'll.
"Mr. Blifkins, says my wife just as
was going to sleep again, "that lamp,
as you have placed it, shines directly in
baby's eyes-strange that you have no
more consideration
[ arranged the light and went to bed
again. just as I was dropping to sleep
again .-.-
''Mr. Blifkins," said my wife, "did
you think to buy that broom to-day for
the baby?"
''My DEAR" said I, 'will you do me
tbo ;ni,.tioo 70 bol;oI-a +b,t could
overlook matter so essential to the
comfort Of that inestimable child?'
She apologized very handsomely, but
made her anxiety the scapegoat. [ for
gave her and without saying wordmore
to her 1 addressed IN yself to sleep.
"Mr Bjifkins, said my wife, shaking
ne, ''you must not snore SO, you will
wake the baby"
"Jest so-jcst SO, said I, halfaslccp.
thinking [ was So!on Shiugle.
"Blifk,n's said my wife, ''will you get
up and hand me the warm cruel from
the nurses lamp for baby? the dear child!
Ifit wasn't for its mother, don't know
what ne would do. How can you sleep
SO, Mr.. Blifkins?"
Il suspect, my DEAR" said I, ''that it
is because [ am tired"
Cob, it's very we'll for you men to
talk about being tired" said my wife;
Il don't know what you would say ii
you had to toll and drudge like a poor
woman with a baby"
l tried to sooth her by telling her she
had no patience at all, and got up for
the possct. Having aided in answer.
ing the baby's requirements, L stepped
into bed again, with the hope Of sleep
ing.
"Mr Blifkins,' said she in a louder
key. L said nothing. "Oh, dear! said
that inestimablc woman, in great apar-
Ient anguish, how can man who has
arrived at the honor of live baby OF
his own, sleep when he don't know that
dear creature will live till morning.
l remained silent, and after while,
deeming that Mrs Blifkins had gone to
sleep, l stretched my limbs for repose
How long slept don't know, but l
awakened by a furious jab in the fore
head by some sharp instrument [ start
up, and Mrs Blifkins was sitting up i'll
1.-THE bed adjusting some portion of the
baby's dress. She had, in state oi
semissomnolence, mistaken my head fol
the pillow, which she customarily used
for nocturnal pincushion. l protested
against such treatment in somewhat
round terms, pointing to several perfor