Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-06-26
MR.. A B

That first baby was q great institution. As soon
as he came into this "breaihing world" as the
late w. Shakespeare has it, he took command IN
our house. Every thing was subseTvient to HIM.
The baby was the balance wheel that regulated
everything. lie regulated the temperature, he
regulated the food, he regulated the servants, he
regulated me. For the first six months OF that
precious existence, he had me up on an average six
times n night. "Mr. Blifkius," says my wife
bring that light here, do; the baby looks strange
ly; I'm SO afraid it will have u ft!" OF course the
lamp was brought, and Of course the baby lay suck
ing his fist like alittle white bear, as no was
mir. Blifkins," said my wife, 81 think l feel q
draught of air; | wish you would get up and see If
the window is not open a little, because baby might
get sick" Nothing was the matter with the WIN
dow, as | knew very well. "Mr. Blifkine," says
my vile, Just rs L was going to sleep again, that
lamp. as you have placed it, shines directly i'll
baby's eyes-strango that you have no more con-
sidcrati0n." | arranged the light, and went to
bed again. just as | was dropping to sleep again,
"Ml. Bllfkins," said my wife. "did you think to
buy that broma to-day for the baby?" "My doar,"
said ], twill you do me the injustice to believe
that | could overlook a matter 50 essential to the
comfort of that inestimable child?" She apOlogi'
zed very handsomely, but made her anxiety the
scape goat. iorgayc her, and without saying II
word more to her, | addressed myself to sleep
Mr.. Bliikins, said my wife, shaking me, you
must not snoro so; you will wake the baby
Just so-just So" said l, halt asleep, thinking
was Scion Single. "Mr. Blifkins," said my vito
will you get up, and hand me the warm Cruel
from the nurse lamp for baLy?-the dear child
it it wasn't for his mother, | don't know what he
would do. How can you sleep so. Mr.. Blifkins?'
II suspect, my dear" said |, THAT it is because |
am tired" "Oh, it's very well for you men to
talk about being tired" said my wife; 81 don't
know what you would say If you had to toll ard
drudge like a poor woman with n baby" j tried
to soothe her by telling her she had no patience at
all, and got up for the posset. Having aided in
answering the baby's requirements, i stepped into
bed again. with tie hope of sleeping. "Mr. Blif'
kins," said she, in a louder key. | said nothing.
"Oh DEAR" said that estimable woman in great ap
parent anguish, chow can a man, who has arrived
at the honor Of a live baby of his own, sleep, when
he don't know that the dear creature will live till
nOrning?" | remained silent, and. after a while
deeming that Mrs. B!ifkins had gone to sleep
| stretched my limbs for repose. How long
slept | don't know, but | was awakened by Q
furious ,iab in the forehead by some SHARP
instrument. | started up, and Mrs. Blifkins was
sitting up in the bed, adjusting some portion o
the babys dress. She had, in q state of semi
somnolence, mistaken my head for the pillow
which she customarily used for q n~octurna
pin-cushion. protested against such treatmen
in somewhat round terms, pointing TO severa
perforations in my forehead. She told me
should willingly bear such trining things for tn
sake of the baby. ! insisted upon it that didn'
think my duty as a parent to that young immorta
required the surrender of my forehead for a pin
cushion. This was one Of many nights passed il
this way The truth was, that baby was wha
every other mans first baby is, an autocrat-at
solute and unlimited Such was the story @
Blifkins, as he related it to us the other day. !
is a little exaggerated picture of almost ever
mans experience Saturday Erening Gazette.