Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-02-24

slr-and went right back to New
York on the two O'clock train"
Joseph Verley, stood aghast, star
ing at the rosy baby as it lay crow
ing in his arms and wondering
which of his lucky stars he should
call on to aid him in this unlocked
for emergency. A full grown young
lady neice would have been baC
enOugh-but a baby!
$50 this is my neice," he mutter,
ed. "What am l going to do with
her 2"
He turned suddely to the woman
"What time does the next train
for Winfield leave2"
''In an hour, sir"
"Win you be kind enough to take
care of the child till then? L sup.
pose l must take it home with me,
for can't very well drown it, OF
throw it under the car wheels"
And Mr.. Verley turned and strodG
out of the depot, scarcely able, al
first, to comprehend the disaster
that had befallen him.
The train was at the depot when
he returned, and the woman await
ed him with the sleeping infant in
her arms.
"Asleep, eh?" commented Mr..
VerleY, "Well, that's lucky"
"Where's the nurse, sir?" inquir-
ed the woman.
"The nursel What nurse?"
"Why, l supposed you went to
get a nurse?"
"Never once thought of i'll " ejac-
n a II -
forehead. "Here-giYe the thing
to me, quick; the train is moving.
He had hardly time to spring oE
board as the locomotive gave an un-
earthly shrek, while the baby fol,
lowed suit vigorously.
He staggered to his seat, holding
the umbrella and the child in one
hand, while in the other his valise
swung backward and forwards
"There, therev" Bless its little
hearth he exclaimed, initiating the
colored woman, "we won't cry, SO
we won't %
But the baby evidently had an
opinion of her own on the subject,
and would cry in spite of various
Establishments practiced by the be-
Wildered uncle-such as shaking the
umbrella handle, swinging his watch,
and trotting both knees.
PeOple.began to look around re-
proachfull '; young men shrugged
their shOuI ers, and young ladies
giggled.
'EHush, hush; there's a darling!'
whispered Mr.. Verley.
Still the baby wept and walled,
and gnashed its gums, for of teeth
it had but two. Mr.. Verley began
to look around the car in search Of
some matronly dame of whome he
could ask council, 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. "Ohl why didn't l have
common sense enough to go and get
8 nurse? l suppose there is no dan.
ger of a baby's bursting its lungs
but, l should think, if there was
such a contingency, this baby was
in a fair way of meeting it. Well
roar away, my young friend; L car
stand it as long as you can"
Vain boast, and futile as vain, Mr.
Verley Don discovered. The baby
not only cried, but it screamed, il
kicked, it doubled itself over il
more ways than a contortionist':
widest dreams could imagine, and
became apparently frantic with pas.
sion. The perspiration broke out
in huge beads on Joseph's brow; hi;
face flushed. And still the car:
thundered on.
whats to become of me?' ht
pondered, holding desperately on Il
the struggling infant by the sasl
that encircled its little waist, anC
watching its purple face with a spe
cies of detestation. 81 don't won
der Harold died. 1 shall die in
week if this goes on. And it seem
so easy for Barbara Smith to tax,
care of her little brother and sister
If Barbara Smith were here!"
Mr.. Verley pulled the baby up il
a sitting posture with a sudden
jerk.
"I'H do it" quoth Mr.. Verley.-
| ''Pll take the back express train a
four in the morning, and go straign
| there. All. you may stop crying
| you little hypocrite, but it won't d,
any good. I'm not to be caugh
twice in the same trap"
Barbara Smith was watering ae
tuberoses in the bright sunshine
when he arrived with his neice, tn
baby.
.Dear me, Mr.. Verley," she eiac
ulated, blushing celestial rosy red
''Why, what a sweet baby!"
''Y es, very sweet" he responded
dryly. ''It Is my neice, whom
met at Speedville!"
"Why, L thought she was a yOun
Iadyp
$50 did I, but it seems she's not
Barbara, what do you suppos
brought me back?" he added, speak
ing very fast for fear the baby Woul
cry.
Il don't know" faItered Barbar.
a little disappointed.
Il forgot to ask you if you woul
marry mc?"
Dear me; was that alp" said th
young lady demurely.
'Isn't that enough? Say, Barbar,
will you?"
''Pil think of it," said Barbar;
evasively.
'.No, but tell me now. Quick
the baby's waking up"
''Well, then-yes!"
Barbara had taken the little thin
in her arms, and disappeared befol
it had time to utter its waking ye'
a week afterward, Mr.. JOSEF
Verify took the 1890 return ira
with his wife ana niece, the ha,
piest of reclaimed old bachalors, al
, it was all the unconscious baby
work.
The Roanoke Times savagely go