The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-06-03
Your niece, sir2 what is her name3'


y into the inner apartment and bringin;
Il out what appeared to be compact bun
u die. with pink face at one end Of IL, an'
a mas Of long trailing embroideries n
. the other.
Joseph yerlcy .recoiled rs far rs tn,
angle Of the wall would permit him.
'Why-it's a babyr
: To be sure il Is, SIR said the woman
'and rs fine little girl rs ever saw
bless her sweet blue eyes
But isn't there nurse or some such
person here who could take charge o
herp
There was nurse brought her on. sir,
queer. foreign-looking thing, with q
yellow skin and hair rs black rs night
and big gold hoops in her ears; but she
talked something about the next steamer
IL couldn't understand her lingo, sir
and went right back to New York on the
two o'clock train
the rosy baby, rs il lay growing in the
woman's arms. and wondering which ol
his lucky stars he should call on to aid
him in this unlocked for emergency. A
full-grown young lady niece would have
been bad enough-but babyl
so this is my niece he muttercd.
And what the d-l am / going to do with
her p
He turned suddenly to the colored wo-
man.
What time does the next train for Win
field leavcr
In an hour SIR
Would you be kind enough to take care
Of the child till then? suppose l must
take il home with me; for can't very
well drown it, or throw it under the car
wheels
Sir calculated the astonished steward
cSs.
But Mr.. Varley turned on his heel and
strobe ont of the depot, scarcely able ut
first TO comprehend the disaster that had
beflllcn him.
The train WAS mt the depot when he re-
returned; and the woman awaited him
with the sleeping infant in her arms.
Asleep. ehr commented Mr.. Varley.-
well, that's lucky
where's the nurse, sirT inquired the
woman.
! Nurse! What nurseH
why. l supposed you went to get u
nurse?'
Never once thought of it, calculated
Joseph. madly shifting his forehead.
'lIere-giye the thing to me quick. the
train is moving
He hardly had time to spring on board
rs the locomotive gave an unearthly
shrek. while the baby followed suit in
both respects.
He staggered TO his seat. holding the
umbrella and child in one hand, while i'm
the other his valisc swung backward and
forward.
There! there! bless its little heartr
he exclaimed, initiating the colorcd wo-
man. we won't cry-no we won't
But the baby evidently had an opinion
Of its own on the subject, and would cry
In spite of the various establishments prac-
tised by the bewildered uncle-such rs
shaking the umbrella handle, swinging
his watch. and trotting both knees.
People began TO look around rcproach-
fully. young men shrugged their sholders,
and young ladies gigglcd.
Hush, hush! there's darlingn whis-
pered Mr.. Yarley.
But sill the baby wept, ndwailed, and
gnashed its gums, for of teeth 1t had but
two. Mr.. Varley began To look round in
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 were young, with round hats
and dimp.ed cheeks.
They won't know anything about it.
groaned Mr.. Varley, in anguish Of SPIRITS.
%, why didn't l have common sense
enough to 90 and get nurse. 1 suppose
there Is no danger Of baby bursting its
lungs; but should think il there was
such contingency, this baby was in q
fair way Of meeting It. Well. roar away,
my young friend; can stand it rs long
rs You can
Vain boast. rs futile rs vain. rs Mr..
Verley very soon discovered. The baby
not only cried. but il screamed. II kicked,
1t doubled itself over in more ways than
n contortionist's widest dreams could
imagine, and became apparently frantic
with passion. The pcrspirliOn broke
out in hugh beads on JoSeph's brow; his
face flushed, and still the cars thundered
on.
Whats to become Of me?' no ponder
ed, holding desperately on to the strug-
Cling infant by the sash that cncircled its
little waist, and watching It's purple face
with species of detestation. Il don't
wonder Harold died! / shall die in a
week. IL this thing goes on. Aud il seems
so easy for Barbara Smith to take care OF
her little brothers and sisters. If Barba-
ia was herer
i And Mr.. Verlcy ierked the baby up in
TO n sitting posture with u sudden jerk.
IN do quoth Mr.. Vcrley. IN take
the back express at four I'm the morning
and 90 straight there. All, YOU may stop
crying. you little hypocrite; but il won't
! do any good; I'm not to be caught twice
in the same trap.
|, Barbara Smith was watering her tube
roses. in the bright morning sunshine, u;
Mr.. Vcrley drove up To the gate, with the
valisd and baby in the carriage.
Dear me. Mr.. verleyr she calculated
blushing celestial rosy red.' Why whai
sweet baby
Yes; very sweet no responded dry.
ly. 1T Is my neice that l was to meet al
Speedvilie.'
why, thought she was a young Ia
dyr
i. so did I; but Il seems she's not. Bar
bar,, what do you. suppose brought mt
hackr he added, speaking very fast foI
: fear The baby would cry.
. Il don't know f.ltercd Barbara, Grim
soning still more. Perhaps you forgot
Q something
Yes, 1 did
l What was itr said Barbara. little
disappointed.
i forgot to ask you IL you would mar.
ry mer
, Dear me! was that alp said the young
lady dcmurely.
Isn't that cnough' Say, Barbara, will
your