The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1858-07-03
Mr.. DIifkin's Baby,


That first baby was q great institution, A.
soon o. he came into this breathing world
as the late w, Shakespeare has il, he
took command In our house, Everything
was subseryiant 10 him, The baby was the
balance wheel that regulated everything. lie
regulates tho temperature, he regulated The
food, hs1eguated the servants, he regulated
me, For the first siS months Of that precious
existence, he had me up on an average six
times a night MIR. Blifkins,' says my vile,
bring that light here doJ the baby looks
strangely I'm 80 afraid Il will have III =
OF course the lamp was brought, and Of
course the baby lay sucking his hst like u
little white bear, as he was, MIR. Blifkins,'
says my wife, i think feel draught Of air ;
| wish you would get up and see II the win
dow il not open a little, because baby might
get siek,' Nothing was the matter with the
window, rs knew very well, Mr., Bllfkins,'
says my wife, just as ! was going 10 sleep
again, that lamp, ns you have placed H.
shines directly in babys eyes-strango that
YOU have no more consideration ! arranged
the light, and went to bed again Just as |
was dropping TO sleep again, Mr. Blifkius,'
said my wife, did you think to buy that
broma to-day for the baby p My dear said
/ I, will you do me the injustice to believe
4 that ! could overlook matter 30 essential
TO the comfort Of that inestimable child p
She npologzed very handsomely, but She
made her anxiety the seape goat. forgave
her, and without saying word more TO her,
| addressed myself TO sleep, Mr.. Blifkins,
said my wife, shaking me, YOU must not snore
soi you will wake the baby Jest so--jest
80, said /, half asleep, thinking was solon
Shingle. MIR. BlifknS,' said my wife, will
YOU get up, aud hand me the warm cruel
from the nurse lamp for baby ?-the dear
child II It wasn't for his mother, don't
know what he would do. How can you sleep
30, Mr., BifkinsP Il 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 i don't know what you
would sly II you had to toll and drudge like
poor woman with baby tried 20
soolhe her By telling her she had no patience
at all, md got up for the possct.
Having aided in answering the baby's re.
quircmcnt,, | stepped into bed again, with the
hope Of sleeping. Mr.. Dlifkins,' said che
in louder kcy, ! said nothing, 'Oh dear F.
',,aid tha, es'imabc woman, in great apparent
anguish, how can a man. who has arrived ni
the honor,or live baby Of his own, slesp
when be doh's know thst thv. dear creature
will live ul morning. remained silent
and after 'ehiie,- -deeB,iRg ,hat-MFa -Dlif
kins had gone TO sleep, stretched my limbs
for repose, How long ] slept don't know
but was awakened by furious jab in the
forehead 10y some sharp instrument start
ed up, and Mrs Blrkins was sitting up in
the bed, adjusting some portion Of the baby
dress. She had, in state of scmisomno
lcncc, mistaken my head for the pillow, which
she customarily used for nocturnal pin
cushion. protested against such treatment
in Somrwhut round terms, pointing to SEVER
al pcrtorations in my forehead. She told m,
should willingly bear such triling thing
for the sake Of the baby. insisted upon i
that didn't think my duty as a parent tC
that young immortal required the surrender
of my forehead for pin-cushion This wa'
one Of many nights passed in this way. Th'
truth was, that the baby was what every 9th
er mans first baby is, an autocrat-absolut'
and unlimited. Such was the story Of Blf
kns, as he related it to us the other day. /
is Il little exaggerated picture Of almost eve
~ mans experience. - Saturday Erening Ga
seite.