The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-01-09

Mrs. Brownlee's nearest nelghbor
was Mrs. Amelia Maimvaring, wife
of the cashier of the Eviuston First
National Bank, lady, young pretty
and volatile. She and Nellie were
intimate friends, and William Brown
lee and Arthur Maimvaring were as
intimate and confdingin their friend
shin as were their wives. The eve
ming succeeding the foregoing CONVEX
sation concerning the promised and
expected visit of Aunt Judith, both
Arthur and Amelia MaimvariDg were
at the residence of the Brownies.
To them Billy explained the intended
visit of Aunt Judith, and solicited
their CO. operation in conducting the
Joke he designed to play on her.
Now" said Billy, " | must make
nv preparations, and when they are
completed, and Aunt Judith has
been received. all | desire is that,
when she examines baby's crib, the
light may be Kept as far from It as
possible"
Billy went into the adjoining room,
taking with him the empty crib, and
his arch accomplice Arthur Malnl-
yaring. He had Newfoundland
puppy that had been given to him q
few days previous, and it was, as all
well fed puppies of that large and
doci'e breed usually are, fat, sleek and
very sleepy. He took the animal into
his hands. fastened on its head the
identical cap that Aunt Judith had
sent as present to baby, swathed Its
body in swaddling clothes, and put it
to sleep in baby's crib. He then car
ried the crib into his wife's bedeham-
Der, where it remained In the darkest
corner until the arrival of their ex-
pected visitor. aaan F
Aunt Judith, who was soon an
nounced, was a maiden lady of an un-
certain age, had undergone in youth
a matrimonial disappointment, and
ever afterwards maryelled that people
would marry. Her looks were well
preserved and her temper placid, but
/ She was fussy and gossipy and med
ding, and Billy took delightin prank
ing her. After some preliminary chat
i she expressed desire to see the
| youngster, whereupon Billy conduct
ed her to the crib, around which also
1 gathered toe Maimvarings. The light,
by preeoncerted arrangement, was
turned down and left in remote
part of the room, and as aunt Judith
was near-sighted and discarded spec
tacles, there was no great likelihood
the joke would be detected prior to
its denoument.
Goodness graciousP exclaimed
Aunt Judith, as stopping she peered
earnestly among the clothes in the
crib, and at the same time addressing
Billy, You naughty man; baby is
your very picture. / could tell you
YOU were its father were l to see il
among thousand. Its eyes and
features are your own; but l an
afraid, if say more about the dear
little creature, you will be as vain O
your possession as peacock is of hi
tail" hHL
, During this speech Billy and tn,
Maimvarings were ready to explod,
with laughter, but mastered thei
emotions.
:. Let me take the little dear int,
! my arms, as l perceive that he il
awake. Ali what beautiful darling
it is" and suiting the action to he
words, she lifted the swaddled pupp
! out of the crib, carried it to the light
examined it closely, dropped it like
f hot cannon shot when she discovere,
J the trick, and rushed incontinentl
{ from the house, followed by the laugh
ter of the malicious trio whom sh
> never afterwards forgavetor deceivin
her into the belief that a Newfound
: land puppy was Billy BroWnlee'
Baby"