Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-07-21
5RlRrtiuus.
MR.. RLIFKIN'S BABY.

That FIRST baby was a great institution.
AS soon as he came in this "breathing
world" as the late Mr.. Shakespeare has it,
he took command in our house. Every
thing was su6servieLt to him. The baby
was the balance wheel that regulated eve
rything. He regulated the temperature
he regulated the food he regulated the
servants, BE regulated me. For the first
SIX months Of that precious existence he
had me up on an average six times night.
Mr.. Blifkins, says my wife, bring that
light here, do; the baby looks strangely
Fm so afraid it viii have fit y OF course
the lamp was brought, and Of course the
baby lay sucking his fist Ike little white
bear, as he was Mr. B3ifkins,' said nv
wife, L think | feel a draught of air;
wish you would get up and sec if the win
dow is not open little. because the baby
mightge getsick.F Nothing was the matter with
the window, as | knew very WELL Mr.. Blif-
kins,' says my wife, just as | was going to
sleep again, that lamp, as you have placed
it, shines directly in baby's face-strange
that you have no. mere consideration /
arranged the light and went to bed again.
just as | was dropping to sleep again, Mr.
Blifkins, said my wife, did vOu think to
buy that broma to-day for the baby g
My DEAR said l.. will you do me the in
justice to believe that l could overlook
matter so essential to the comfort of that
inestimable child?' She apologized very
handsomely, but made her anxiety the
scape-goat. | forgave her.. and without
saying word more to her, l addressed
myself to sleep. 'Mr. Blifkins,' said my
wife, shaking me, you must not snore so,
you will wake the baby Jest so, Jest So
said |, half asleep. thinking l was Solon
Single. Mr. Blifkins,' said my wife, will
you get up and hand me the warm cruel
from the nurse lamp for baby? This dear
child if it wasn't for his mother l don't
know what he would do. How can You
sleep SO, Mr.. Blifkins ? 4 suspect, my
DEAR said l.. that it is because | am tired
'Oh, it's very we'll for You men to talk
about being tired said my wife 4 don't
know what you would say if you had to
toll and drudge like poor woman with
baby | tried to soothe her by telling her
she had no patience at all, and got up for
the. .Hnsset. HsHipqf aided. in answering
Blifkinsr said she, in londa- iay- IT
said nothing. 'Oh dear = said that esti-
mable woman, in great apparent anguish,
how can aman sleepwho has arrived atthe
honor of live baby of his own, when he
don't know that The dear creature will live
till morningP remained silent, and, af-
ter while, deeming that Mrs. Blifkins had
gone to sleep, stretched my limbs for re-
pose. How long slept don't know, but
[ was awakened by furious job in the
forehead by some sharp. instrument. |
started up, and Mrs. Blifkins was sitting up
in the bed adjusting some portion of the
baby's dress. She had, in a state of semi
somnolence, mistaken my head for the pill
low, which she customarily used for noe
turnal pincushion. l protested against
such treatment in somewhat round terms,
pointing to several perforations in my fore
head. She told re shend willingly bear
such trifing 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 my forehead as
pincushion. This was one of the many
nights passed in this way. The truth was,
that baby was what every other mans first
baby is, an autocrat-absolute and unlimi-
ted. Such was the story of Blifkins, as he
related tito US, the other day. 1t is little
exaggerated picture of almost every mans
experience,