Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-06-08

He had hardly time to spring on board
as the locomotive gave an unearthly
shrek, while the baby followed suit
vigorously.
He staggered to his seat, holding the
umbrella and child in one hand, while
I in the other his valise swung backward
and forward. E
I "There! there, bless it's little heart, )"
he exclaimed, initiating the colored
woman, Eve won't cry-so we won't. y
But the baby evidently had an opin-
ion Of her own on the subject, and
would cry in spite of various blandish-
ments practiced by the bewildered
uncle-such as shaking the umbrella
handle, swinging his watch, and trot
ting both knees
People began to look around re-
proachfully; young men shrugged
their shoulders, and young ladies gig
gled
" Hush hush there's darling ~
whispered Mr. Verley.
4 But still the baby wept and walled,
and CRASHED it's gums, for of teeth it
had but two. Mr.. Verley began to look
around 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 dimpled
cheeks.
"They don't know anything about
it, groaned Mr.. Verley, in anguish of
spirit. ooh! why didn't l have com
mon sense enough to get a nurse l
suppose there is no danger of baby
bursting it's 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 can"
Vain boast, as futile AS vain, as Mr..
Verley 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 Numbered on.
What's to become of mel" he pom
dered, holding desperately on to the
struggling infant by the sash that en-
circled it's little waist, and watching it's
purple face with species of detesta-
ton. 81 don't wonder Harald died. |
shall die in week if this thing goes
J on. And it seems so easy for Barbara
Smith to take care of her little broth
ers and sisters. If Barbara Smith was
here"
And Mr. Verley pulled the baby up
. 81 Il az,
jerk.
:, "I'll do it," quoth Mr.. Verley. "Tll
take the back express at four in the
morning and go straight there. All,
you may stop crying, you little hypo-
critic, but it won't do any good I'm
not to be caught twice in the same
trap
Barbara Smith was watering her
, tuberoses in the bright sunshine when
he arrived with his valise and baby.
''Dear me, Mr. yarley," she ejacu-
lated, blushing, celestial rosy red. .
"Why, what sweet baby.
Eyes, very sweet" he responded,
, dryly. 'It is my niece that | was to
meet at Speedville.'
"Why, 1 thought that she was a
young lauy ......
$50 did +, but it seems she's not.
( Barbara, what do you suppose brought
me back2" he asked, speaking very
} fast for fear the baby would cry.
Il don't know" faltered Barbara,
crimsoning still more. ''Perhaps you
forgot something"
: " Yes, l did.
"What was it ~ said Barbara, lit
tie disappointed. .
81 forgot to ask you if you would
marry me-"
| Dear me, was that all2 said the
young lady, demurely.
t "Isnt that enough' Say, Barbara,
will you2"
I'm think of it, answered Barbara
, evasively.
"No, but tell me now, Quick-tho
baby's waking up,
"Well tben-yes.
| Barbara had taken the little thing II
her arms, and disappeared before il
, had time to utter it's waking yell.
{ A week afterwards Mr.. Joseph Yer
ley took the 1870 return train with hi'
wife and neice, the happiest of reclaim
! ed old bachelors, and it was all the un
! conscious haby's work.
,
{ Z G,oncr, S,uNo,x G. ~ We TAX,