Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-06-23


Mrs. Kingsley had gone out to neigh
boring store for few minutes, and had
requested me to have an eye to the child
while she was gone, so it wouldn't fall
out Of the cradle, and thought Of my
uncle at the door, a bright idea entered
my head. I determined In case the Wis
itor was my uncle, to claim the youthful
occupant as my own.
The visitor proved to be my uncle. |
knew him by the pictures Of him [ had
seen, and he likewise knew me by my
photograph. After mutual recognition
and hand-shaking, ushered my honor
ed relative into the parlor and presented
him to my newly claimed offspring.
"There, uncle" said l, ssis the first
pledge of our married life. assure you
I take pleasure in presenting to you my
child"
''It is a fat little youngster," said my
uncle, gazing at it admiringly. ''By
the way, what is it, boy or girl ?"
That was a knotty question for me to
answer, for he was just as much acquaint-
ed with its gender as was. But it
would not do to show ignorance on the
subject, so I answered at hap-hazard that
it was a boy.
"I'm sorry it is boy" said my un-
Gle: "there are too many boys in the
family. Now if you had only produced
a little blue eyed girl, it would have been
more sensible
| assured him [ was sorry the gender
did net suit, but hoped in the future his
wish would be gratifed.
So far | had succeeded in deceiving
my uncle, but the worst | feared was,
that when Mrs. Kingsley returned, she
might object to my claiming ownership
to her child. Besides, to carry out my
deception, must find wife as we'll as
an infant, and Mrs. Kingsley was the
only one | could conveniently claim
The only difficulty was to get her to con-
sent to the deception, and it might be
done if could only secure a private
conversation with her before I introduced
her to my uncle, and then it would be
all right.
watched my opportunity. and gain.
ing an interview with her before she en-.
tered the room, told her in few briei
and hurried words, the extent of my
difficulty and how l had taken the liber
ty of acting as papa to her little one. ]
then told her I must find wife some
where, and begged her to allow me tt
introduce her to my uncle in that capac
ity. She laughed very heartily at tn,
suggestion, said she could comprehend
my difficulty, consented to my proposal
and very roguishly warned me not t
presume upon the occurrance.
We then entered the parlor and
introduced her as my better half. M,
uncle was very much pleased with he
and complimented me upon my goo'
choice in the selection of wife. Mrs
Kingsley, of course, colored most charm
ingly at this compliment, and l coul
plainly see that she could scarcely re
frain from laughing.
''You have fine boy here" said m
uncle to Mrs. Kingsley, pointing to tn
cradle.
Excuse me sir" she said, colorin
up again, "It's a girl"
| was dumfounded. | was expose
in my iniquity. Would uncle beliey
me after this He looked from me I
my pretty landlady with a puzzled coul
tenance.
'Your husband told me it was a boy,
said he, and rather suspiciously, too,
thought.
"Well, I always took it for boy, W;
my reply, putting on bold face, "b,
I suppose my wife knows BEST
Here Mrs. Kingsley fairly screame
with laughter, and my uncle's stern fa'
; assumed an ironical smile.
''You are nice father, aint you
said he, touching me with the point
his umbrella, ''not to know the sex
your own child. Why, I knew it W;
girl the moment | looked at it."
"But, Charlie he said, again a.
dressing me, "what did you do with tt
goblet and pap spoon sent to the lit
one 2"
80, they are perfectly safe, l assu
! you" I replied. Il lave taken GOO
care of them
Eyes, but where in the duce are they
| would like very much to take anoth
look at them"
"Well, I have deposited them in
bank for safe keeping, but I can readil
: produce them-that is-in the course
! a weeks time"
He told me to do so as he wanted
J see them. and then I got out of the roc
for fear that he would ask me some mo
perplexing questions.
! A short time afterward, Mrs. King
e ley came to me, when | was alone, in
adjoining room, and [ saw immediate
G that something very humorous must ha
is happened, fer the corners Of her Ii