Connecticut western news., 1872-02-02
Naming the Baby.

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 Naming the Baby.
 Mrs. F. A. Moore, in her book, "A Lost Life, published by G. w. Carleton of New York, gives us the following chapter on the advent of a baby into the house.
 A child to welded pair is either a bond or a barrier between them. Happily it is usually bond. To Elenor and Austin Wayne it was barrier. They regarded the little waif stranded upon the shore of life at their feet with as different eyes as if one were looking upon it from Heaven, the other from Hades. To one it was poor, helpless, lovable mite, very sweet and blessed'to the heart so badly disappointed in it's own grand dream of love. To the other it was troublesome, unimportant girl-baby, who created vast expense and had no business to be anything but boy.
 A boy, to be named Austin Wayne, Jr. and to be brought up after his own cor rect ideal-this had been Mir. Wayne's great expectation. And here was the little good-for-nothing the perfect image of her mother-and. inheriting all her mothers foibles, no doubt-come to scatter his plan to the four winds It was disappointment which even his philosophy could hardly soothe.
 At least he would make her reception prosaic enough. He had no rhapsodies to pronounce. He had no thrills in his heart over the mere fact of being father He would regard the baby in the strong est practical light. He would see that, from the very first, she should have no fummery about her. To this effect he announced next morning as nurse was warming the young lady's feet, and Elenor was eagerly watching her from among her pillows, that she should be called Mehltable."
 "Law don't hamper the child with @ name like that P frankly exclaimed Mrs. Griffin.
 "I have selected another name p said Elenor, with that sweet calmness so irri- tating to natures like MT. Wayne. This opposition but gave zest to his admira ton for the name of Mehitable. He was seized with sudden affection and rever- ence for long dead aunt-passed into those realms where l trust such ugly names are forgiven and forgotton-and Mehitable had been the name of that un- fortunate relative.
 After a brief discussion, ending in a silence on Elenor's side, that might or might not have been acquiescence, the name was considered settled upon the little voyager for life.
 You can call her Hittie, you know. Hittie is not such bad name," said the nurse consolingly, after MT. Wayne had gone out, and the sunlight seemed to come back again.
 "I wished to call her Genie, for the Doctors wife; but it makes no great diff ference. She is the same baby, you know, whatever the name may be- turning fond glance upon the little Mehitable, who continued to rub her rose.red feet together and to square of at the air with her microscopic fists, in superb indifference to these personalities regarding her.
 Wayne pleased," Elenor added, bravely trying to hide away this little new bitter ness from the nurse.
 Mrs. Griffin gave 6 snort of disdain which ske instantly turned into chuck. ling caress for the baby, and said with jocular asperity that she should like tc see her husband undertake to name 6 baby of hers against he,' inclination Who, pray tell, did baby belong to, body and soul, if not to the mother 9 the mother who had dreamed night and day of it,-and then not to be allowed tc name it :! Goodness, why didn't Mrs Wayne stand up for her rights
 "Why, since baby is all mine, I can afford to let the name be Mir. Wayne's, , Elenor had answered.-"I ought to be generous enough for that,' with little laugh.
 Here the baby received more caresses between which nurse muttered she hac always believed there was such thing as being too good, and that she would just like to hear of @ baby named Mehi table Griffin.