Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-09-24
GRAND BABY SHOW IN ST. LOUIS.

The ST. Louis Democrat, describing a recent
interesting event, says:
After the babies were seated it was beautl-
iu sight. Thirty-iour httle noses evoked ad
wiraliou; sixty-eight little fists aternate y
churned the air, and were crammed iuto thirty
TOUR littlc mouths; sixty eight little eyes were
fixed upon vacaLcy; Sxry-cight little lungs
Were Inflated, waiting for a starter; sixty eight
little legs stuck out straight; and three hun
lIei and forty little toes sawed the air. 1t was
alesulful sight. and presently there arose a
sS1l4 not altogether as attractive as the sight.
lieu the committee went to work, and the
crowd locked on curlouSly.
The babies were seated IN rows, and the ex-
anlnerS passed along, attentlvely regarding
each one AS they passed by, the flush came
aud went in many mothers cheek; a tcverlsh
light came into each mothers eyes as she gazcd
hopefully upon the impasslYe.. faces. Little
faith would any one of them put In the decision
that robbed her darling Of all the praise.
The committee passed alcng the rows OF
Whlte-clad children and then retired. All was
anxiety; and as the mothers tossed their ln-
laos TO appease their wrath, they glanced visit
July toward the judges, who stood apart. AT
length the verdict was agreed upon, and 1t was
announced that the children would be driven
around the amph theatre before the decision
was given. The first prize, sewlng-machlne,
Was mounted on spring wagon; the committee
occupied the second, and eight followed hlled
With the babies and their mothers Slowly they
moved around the ring, while from out ten
thousand throats poured noise like thun-
Ger, Once more the wagons drew up at the
Tooth and discharged their squalliDg freight.
1hen the decision was announced.
.lhe blue ribbon was awarded to Frances
Victoria, aged one year, daughter of Mrs. Kate
Phelps, for being the handsomest, best formed,
host sprightly, and finest for size and beauty
Under TWO years" The prize was ninety
Collar sewing machine. The baby is from
eaester, Chester county.
The white ribbon, or second premium, was
awarded to a thirteen months-old baby, never
naued, the daughter of Mrs. Edward Sikkie-
nan, Of BellevlIe. The prize was $50 in cash.
lhe bouquet or third premium, was awarded
@StwlDs, Margaret and Mary, aged four months,
me daughters of Mrs. Josephine Schroeder, of
tbe'Ievllle The prize was $40 in cash, offered
OE Mr.. \. G. Badgley, bachelor, and the
cashier of the Peoples Bank.
But one incident occurred to mar the inter
sSt 10 the show. 1t had scarcely closed when
It II was reported that one of the twins who took
s; sae third prize had been seized with spasms
s. seg was 10 dying condition. 1t was immedl-
a'ey removed to the town and medical attend
"uTe summoned, but up to the time the report
u ielt the child had not recovered.
90 the great baby-show closed, and the ln-
n, ,a1'S We're taken home, undressed, unswathed,
uuoandaged, aud put to bed.
SUMMARY.
OslM5evlle ILL.,, September 5, 1873. Entries for
sMts'hate Phelps enters Frances Victoria l |
NJ f. W. Sikkeman enters no name q
is' Joseph Shredder enters in double
Th haaruess Margaret and Mary So
1ulrty-one other entries 00O