Centre Hall reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1868-1871, 1871-02-03

At.tti @tAA>, anu Nu4luSE4iis WhiSn bl us
lucky stars he should call ON 10 aid him in
this unloOkei-ior emergency. \ full grown
young lady niece would have been bad
enoagh-hut a baby
SO this IS my niece he muttcred.
And what am going 10 do with her -
He turned suddenly To the colored
woman.
! "What time does the next train for
&. Winfield leave q
In an hour, sir
Would You be kind enough 10 take
care Of the child till thenl | suppose
must take il home with me; for / can't
F very well drown il, or throw il under the
car wheels"
"Sirn calculated the astonished stew
ar,icss
But Mr. Ysrley turned on his keel and
strobe out Of the depot, scarcely able at
first 10 comprehend the disaster that had
behllen him.
The train was at the depot when he ne
turned, aud the woman awaited him with
the sleeping infant in her arms.
Asleep, eh r commented Mr. Gerley.
Well that's lucky
Where's the nurse, sir r. inquired the
woman.
The nurse 2 What nurse r.
Why, ! suppose you want TO get a
nurse -
Never once thought oft" calculated
Joseph madly shifting his forehead. Here
give the thing TO me quick, the train is
moving
lie had hardly time 10 spring or board,
as the locomotive gave an unearthly shrek
while the baby followed suit in both re-
spects.
He staggered 20 his seat, holding the
umbrella and child in oRs hand, while in
the other his valiSe swung backward and
forward.
There there bless its little heart
he exclaimed, initiating the colored woman
q We won't cry--so 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.
tiocd by the bewildercd mcle-such a,
shaking the umbrella handle, swinging his
watch, and trotting both knees.
People began 70 look around, reproach-
fully young men shrugged their shoulders,
and young ladies Eiggled
Hush hush! there's a darlingr' whis-
pered Mr.. Verley.
But still the baby wspt and walled, and
CRASHED its gums, for Of teeth il had but
two. Mr.. Ncrley began to look round in
the car in search Of some matronly dame
of whom he could seek counsel, but in
vain. They were only three ladies in the
car, and they were young, with round hats
and dimpled cheeks.
They don't know any thing about il, -
groaned Mr.. Verley, in anguish 9f spirit.
"Oh, why didn Z | have common sense
enough TO 20 ami get n nurse? suppose
there is no danger Of n baby bursting its
lungs; but should think il there was
such a contingency, this baby was in fair
way Of meeting il. Well. roar away, my
young friend; can stand il as long as you
cam
Vain boast, as futile as vain. as Mr..
Verley very soon discovered The baby
not only cried, but it screamed, it kicked,
it doubled itsels over in more ways than a
contortiOnist's widest dreams could imag-
inc, and became apparently frantic with
passion. The Icrspiration broke out in
huge beads on Joseph's brow; his face
flushed, and still the cars thudcred on.
What's TO become Of inc r. he pond
cred, holding desperately on to the strug-
Cling infant by the sash that cncirclcd It's
little waiSt, and watching its purple face
with a species OF detcstation. ~ don't
wonder Harold died. shall die in a week
if this thing goes on. And il seems SO
easy for Barbara Smith to take care Of her
/ Il be- hos L. d.
here"
And Verley pulled the baby up into a
sitting posture with sudden jerk
"Fll DO it," quoth Mr.. Verley, IN
take the back express at four in the morn
ing and go straight there. All you NAV
stop crying. you little hypOcrite; 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 calculated,
blushing celestial rosy red "Why, what
a sweet baby"
Yes, very sweet" he responded dryly.
1t is my niece that was 10 meet at
Speedville."
"Why, / thought that she was young
lady 2"
SO did I but il seems she's not. Bar
bara, what do you suppose brought me
back ?" he added, speaking very fast for
fear the baby would cry.
q don't know" faltered Barbara, GRIM
soning still more. perhaps you forget
something"
Yes, did"
"What was it 2" said Barbra, little
disappointed
II forgot to ask you If you would marry
mer'
"Dcar me! was that all Z" said the
young lady demurely.
"Isn't that enough2 Say, Barbara,
will you 7'
"I'll think of it, )" answered Barbara eva
siyely.
No, but tell me now Quick-tbe
baby's waking up"
"Well then-yes."
Barbara had taken the little thing In
her arms, and disappeared before it had
time to utter its waking yell.
A week aftcrward Mr.. Joseph Verley
took the 1890 return tram with his wife
and niece, the happiest of reclaimed old
bachelors, and it was all the unconscious
baby's work.