The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-07-23
Mr.. Blifkin's Baby.

AS soon as he came into this breathing
world as the late w. ShaksPere has it, he
took command IN our house. Everything
was subservient to him. The baby was the
balance.wlieel that regulated everything,
lie regulated the servants, he regulated me-
For the first six months Of that precious ex-
istence, she woke me up on an average six
times a night. 'Mr Blifkins,' says my wife,
bring that light here, do, the baby looks
strangely I'm so afraid it'll have ftr-
OF course the lamp was brought and of
course the baby lay sucking his fist like a
white bear, as be was. 'Mr. Blfkins,' said
my wife, 4 think l feel a draught Of air;
wish you would get up and see if the win
dow is not open little, because baby might
get sick Nothing was the matter with
the widow, as knew very well. Mr.. Blf.
k'ns, said my wife, just as 1 was going to
sleep again, that lamp, as you have placed
it, shine directly in bahy's eyes-strange
that you have no more consideration |
arranged the light and wen, to bed again.
just as was dropping to sleep again, Mr..
BIifkins.' said my wife, did you think to
6uy that broma to-day for the babvT NV
dear said |, will you do me the Injustice
to believe for moment that could over
look matter SO essential TO the comfort of
that inestimable baby2 She apolosized
very handsomely, but made her anxiety the
scape goat. | forgave her, aud without say
ing word more to her, addressed myself
10 sleep. Mr.. Blifkins,' said my wife, sha-
king me, you must not snore so; you will
wake the baby Just so-just so,' said l,
half asleep, thinking was SoIon ShingIe.-
mir. Bl'fkins,' said my wife, will YOU get
up and hand me the warm cruel from the
nurse lamp, for baby 9-the dear child, if
it wasn't for its mother, don't know what
it wonld do! How can you sleep so, Mr..
BIifkins!' i suspect, my dear, that it is be-
cause am tired oh it's very we'll for
you men to talk about being tired said nv
wife; don't know what you'd say, if YOU
had TO toll and drudge like poor woman
with baby tried to soothe her, bv tel
ling her that she had no patience at all, and
got up for the posnet. Having aided in
answering the baby's requirements, step
ped into bed again, with the hope of sleep
ing. Mr.. Blifkins,' said my wife. Imade
no answer. Mr.. Blifkins,' said that esti-
Unable woman, in great apparent anguish,
how can man, who has arrived at the
honor of having a live baby of his own,
sleep, when he don't know that the dear
creature will live till norningr remain.
ed silent, and, after while, deemng that
Mrs. Blifkins had gone to sleep stretched
my limbs for repose. How long slept, l
don't know but was awakened by fu-
rlous job in the forehead by some sharp in.
strument. started up, and Mrs. BIifkins
WAS sitting up in the bed, adjusting some
portion ofthe baby's dress. She had, in a
state of semi-sornnolence, mistaken my
head for the pillow. which she customariIy
used for pin cushion. protested against
such treatments, in rather warm language,
pointing to several performations in my fore.
head. She told me should willingly bear
such trif1ing things for the baby. insisted
upon it that didn'nt think it my duty as a
parent to that young immortal required the
surrender of my head for pin cushion
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 unlimited. Sucl,
was the story of Blifkins, as he related il
the other day. 1t is a little-exaggerated
picture of almost every mans experience.