The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-03-16

.DOseph Nerley stood aSnaSl, etdI1hS
at the rosy baby as it lay growing IN the
womans arms, aud wondering which OF
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 baby
$50 this is my niece, /" he muttered.
"And what am I going to do with herr
He turned suddenly TO the colored
woman.
s.What time does the next train for
Winfield leave?''
SIN an hour, sir. )"
would you be kind enough to take
care of the child till then? | suppose
must take it home with me, for [ can't
very well drown it, or throw it under the
car wheels. "
"Sir!" calculated the astonished stew
ardess.
But Mr.. Verley turned on his heel
and strobe out of the depot, scarcely able
at first to comprehend the disaster that
had befallen him.
| The train was at the depot when be
returned, and the woman awaited HIM
with the sleeping infant in her arms.
"Asleep, eh2' commented Mr.. Yer
ley. "Well, that's lucky. .
'sWhere's the nurse, STRIP inquired
the woman.
''The nurse? What nurse? ?"
'Why, I supposed you wanted to get
nurse -
"Never once thought of it! !" ejacula-
ted Joseph. azadly shifting his forehead.
s'Here-give the thing to me, quick, the
train is moving"
He had hardly time to spring on
| board, as the locomotive gave an I'M
earthly shrek, while the baby following
suit In both respects.
He staggered to his seat, holding the
umbrella and child in one hand, while IN
the other his valise swung backward and
| forward.
There there bless its little heart T.
he exclaimed, initiating she colored wo-
man. I'VE won't cry-so we won't. !"
But the baby evidently had an opln-
ion Of its own on the subject, and would
cry in spite of the various Establishments
practiced by the bewildered uncle-such
as shaking the umbrella handle, swinging
his watch, and trotting both knees.
People began to look around reproaeh-
fully; young men shrugged their Shout
ders, and yeung ladies giggled.
"Hush Hush there's darling p
whispered Mr.. Verley.
But still the baby wept and walled,
and CRASHED its gums, for of teeth it Lad
but two. Mr.. Verley began to look
round in the car in search of some mat
ronly dame of whom he could seek coun-
sci, but in vain. There were only three
ladies in the car, and they were young,
with round hats and dimpled checks.
sThey don't know anything about
it." groaned Mr.. Verley, in anguish OF
spirit. ooh, why didn't I have COM
mon sense enough to go and get nurse?
[ suppose there is no danger of a baby
bursting its lungs; but I should think if
there was such contingency, this baby
was in fair way of meeting it. Well,
roar away, my young friend; [ can stand
| it as long as you can"
Vain boast. as futile as vain, as Mr..
Verley 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 PRECIPITATION broke
out in huge beads on Josephs brow,
his face flushed, and still the cars thun-
dered on.
whats 20 become of me ?" he pom
dersd, holding desperately on to the
struggling infant by the sash that encir-
cled its little waist, and watching its pur-
pie face with species Of DIGESTION. 81
don't wonder Harold died. I shall die
in week if this thing goes on. And it
seems so easy for Barbara Smith to take
care of her little brothers and sisters. IF
Barbara was here
And Verley pulled the baby up into a
sitting posture with a sudden jerk.
''I'll do it, quote Mr.. Verley, "Tn
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 tube.
roses in The bright morning sunshine,
with the valise and baby in the carriage.
Dear me, Mr.. Verley," she ejacula-
ted, blushing 'celestialrosy red" "Why,
what a sweet baby
Yes, very sweet he responded dry
| ly. ''It is my niece that I was to meet
at Speedville.
''Why, thought that she was a young
lady ?"
so did [ but it seems she's not
Barbara, what do you suppose brought
me back?'' he added, speaking very fast
for fear the baby would cry.
81 don't know" faltered Barbara,
crimsoning still more. Perhaps you
forgot something"
eyes, | did,
"What was p said Barbara, little
disappointed.
II forgot to ask you if you would mar
~ me |"
Dear me! was that ALP said the