American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-12-26
A Bachelors Exploit with Baby.

One of the best looking and most
sought-afte young business men in Utica
had his gallantry put to a severe test
Friday. A charming married lady friend
wagered SIS with him that he dare not
carry her baby through Genesee street
from Bagg's to Oneida square Whether
the gentleman felt particularly brave
and happy after his enjoyment Of
Thanksgiving festivities, or for some
other reason we know not, but certain
it is that he accepted the challenge and
carried the baby-but such work as he
made of it, The BABY in question is the
prettiest little seven-months mortal in
Utica Its father is one of the wit,icst
and finest-looking men in the county, but
the baby gets its loveliest charms from
its mother The boy is the pride of its
parents hearts, and, if kisses would stick,
its lips would be covered with rock
candy to the depth of six inches every
day. The young gentleman who was chat
lenged envies the father, mother, and
baby every day of his life. When he
started out from Bagg's Hotel with the
chirping cherub in his arms his face was
ROSY with bushes and radiant with hap
piness The mother and other friends
of the child were to follow in
"a carriage to see that the task
was completed according to the
lose sight of the toiler for "A moment.
At the outset the child weighed twenty
five pounds. The supposed father and
his elegantly dressed baby attracted gen
eral attention upon the business portion
of Genesee street The gentleman 5
friends were not certain that they had
heard of his marriage, and he had been
seen at the Opera House frequently OF
late, and each time with a different
.l,n Il FL hay hnnn N
to the absence of his wife and-the
baby, probably While conversation
after this style was going on in the stores
the bachelor reached the City Hall, and
at that particular moment he was ready
to assert that the child weighed seventy
five pounds. From this point upward
was the tug ofwar. The hour chosen
was one in which he generally takes an
airing, and all of his widow friends ex-
pected to see him, but-not with a baby.
Then the baby commenced to get uneasy,
and it was hard work to hold it out ?.
arms length and call it "SweSsy,
"Ducky," Darling" etc, etc. .nIee
or four merry maidens in az up-.1"n
residence rustled the curtsMs IN such
manner that the perspirshs .oiler knew
that he was seen: Dut 10 wen vi
win he did Those who witnessed the
affair in all rs stages say that it was
difficult TO tell at times whether the child
was upright or reversed, perpendicular
or horizontal, for the reason that its posi-
ton was changed so frequently. Its
ordinarily sweet voice was harsh and crisp
before Cottage street was reached, and
but for the true grit which the gentle
man possesses, and the love he bears
for the baby, it is believed that the baby
would have been tossed into convenient
fountain-anything for a change. All
the young ladies upon Genesee street
seemed to be standing in their windows
as he passed. Opposite Eagle street he
met particular lady friend in a carriage,
and then the baby weighed full ton.
When the mother received her darling
child from the hands of the brave one,
cold and huge drops of perspiration
poured from every pore of his face; his
necktie was gone and his collar unbut-
toned. The contents of the Philadelphia
mint would not tempt him to return
down the street with a similar accom-
paniment. The wager was paid, and
the mother and her baby rode down
town, while the brave bachelor wendell
his way back to his place of business
through Park avenue and other quiet
streets, solitary, thoughtful and alone.
The next time he carries baby through
Genesee street his friends may be Ger
tain that it is his own, and that the Other
stakeholder in the cherub is within reach
Utica IN " Herald