Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1866-11-09

| lnere was nurse DrougnC ner on, sir
la queer, foreign looking thing, with a
yellow skin and hair as black as night, and
| big gold hoops in her ears; but she talked
something about the next steamer-I
couldn't rightly undersand her lingo, sir
and went right back to New York on the
two o'clock train"
Joseph Varley stood aghast, staring at
the rosy baby as it lay Growing in the wo-
mans arms, and wondering which of his
lucky stars he should call on to aid him
in this unlocked for emergency. A full
lgrown young-lady neice would have been
bad enough-but babyl
$50 this is my neice," he muttered.
"And what the deuce am going to do
with heri"
He turned suddenly to the colored fwo-
man.
"What time does the next train for
Woodfield leavel"
'1n an hour, sirl"
"Would you be kind enough to take
care of the child until then! suppose l
must take it on home with me; can't
very well drown it, or throw it under the
car wheels?"
"Sir?" calculated the astonished stew
ariess.
But Mr.. Verley turned on his heel and
strobe out of the depot, scarcely able at
first, to comprehend the fullness of the dis
aster that had befallen him.
The train was at the station when he
returned; the woman awaited him with
the sleeping infant in her arms.
"Asleep, eh!" commented Mr.. Verley,
"wel, that's lucky"
"Where is the nurse, sir"
"Nurse what nursei"
"Why, l supposed you went to get a
nurse"
"Never once thought of it t~ enjaculated
Joseph, madly smitting his forehead.
"Here-give the thing to me, quick the
train is startingp'
He had barely time to spring on board
as the locomotive gave an unearthly shrek
and began to move, while the baby fol-
lowed suit in both respects.
He staggered to seat holding the um-
brella and child in one hand, while in the
other his valise swung backward and for
ward.
''There! there, bless its heart" he
coaxed, initiating, as nearly as possible,
the colored woman's formula. ave won't
cry-no, we won'tw
But the baby evidently had an opinion
of its own on the subject and Uould cry
in spite of the various Establishments prac-
ticed by the bewildered uncle, such as
shaking the umbrella handle, swinging |
his watch and trotting both knees. People |
began to look round reproachfully; young |
men shrugged their shoulders, and young |
ladies smiled.
"Hush hush there's darling" whis- |
pered Mr.. Verley. "What does It want to
settle down into such heap forl body |
can't tell its spine from its legs. There
therel it shall look out of the window. If
[ could only remember a nursery rhyme
or SO. Bless my heart what lungs it has
You little beast ,OiN you keep still?"
But still the baby wept and walled, and |
gnashed its gums, for teeth it had but two.
Mr.. Verley began to look round the car
in search of some matronly dame of whom
he could seek counsel, but in vain. There
were only three ladies in the car, and they
we're young, with round hats and dim
pied cheeks.
"They won't know anything about it p
groaned Mr.. Verley in anguish of spirit.
"Oh why didn't have enough common
sense to get a nurse l suppose there is
no danger of baby's bursting its lungs,
but | should think if there was such
contingency this baby was in fair way
of meeting it. Well, roar away, my young
friend. l can stand it as long as you
canw
Vain boast and futile as vain, as Mr..
Joseph Verely very soon discovered. The
baby not only cried, but it screamed, it
kicked, it doubled itself over in more ways
than contortionist's widest dreams could
imagine, and became apparently frantic
with passion. The perspiration broke out
in huge beads on Joseph's brow, his face
flushed, and still the cars thundered on.
what is to become of mel" he pom
dered, holding desperately on to the
infant by the sash that encir-
cled its little waist, and watching its pur-
pie face with species of detestation. 81 h
don't wonder that Harold died l shall
die in week if this sort of things goes
on. And it seemed so easy for Barbara
Smith to take care of her little brothers
and sisters! If Barbara were only here !"
Mr.. Verley jerked the baby up into
sitting posture, with sudden idea. ''PIl b
lake the back express at four in the morn
ng, and go straight there. All. you may
stop crying, you little hpyocrite, but it h
won't do any good! Pm not to be caught v
,wice in the same trap" u
Barbara Smith was watering her tube O
'oses in the bright morning sunshine, as o
DR.. Verley drew up to the gate with the Il
ralise and baby in the carriage ii
'Dear me Mr.. Verley" she CALCULATED, Itc
flushing celestial, rosy red.' "Why, Ib
What sweet little babyr' m
"Yes, very sweet' responded Joseph, b
Irily. ats my niece-tbat 1 was to meet W
t speedville." N
why, tnouSht sne was young lady. lsC
$50 did |, but it seems she's not. Bar IL
'ara, what do you suppose brought me m
'ack!" he added, speaking very fast, for b.
ear the baby should cry. W
81 don't know" faltered Barbara, Grim ca
oning still more. perhaps you forgot N
omething." D,
"Yes, did" lsy