Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1875-02-04
The Rival Babies.
From the Detro,t pn.t /

wiz VIC 1ctftkt IUtl.
Uncle Luther Beecher's grand CO.
operative baby-show. which was to
have been one Of the features of the
poultry and dog exposition at Young
Mems Hall, is not visible to the naked
eye as yet. but 1t came very near
making start on Saturday afternoon.
Two women with babies entered the
parlor set aside for the little popsey-
wopseys, and, taking seats on oppo-
site sides of the room, proceeded to
stare at each other coldly and sus-
piciously. One was tall female
with auburn hair, and the other was
a little lump of woman with very
black eyes and determined look.
Although they were alone in the
room, neither spoke, but they COM
/ menced to unpack their offspring.
The auburn haired lady finally pro-
duced from the midst of innumerable
wrappings pale, scrawny looking in
FAINT, wearing considerable gold chain
and an expression of settled melan-
choly. The other baby was a chip
of the old block, so to speak-a cor
pulent cherub, with puffy cheeks and
big eyes, who proceeded to suck its
fat thumbs with much composure.
The silence was becoming oppres-
siye when the tall woman broke it.
She remarked with affected solicit
tude:
"What is the matter with your ba-
by, mum9 the poor little thing looks
quite unwell."
!. The little woman's black eyes
snapped, but she answered with
forced composure: "Minerva Geral-
dine was never sick day in her life,
madam, and she is sixteen months
ard ten days old. Has your little
one been ailing long?"
The tall woman's hair began 20
raise up, but she pretended to be
looking to see where the pin was
pricking her sad-faced babe, and
made no reply. Presently she wound
the infants gold chain around her
finger in an abstracted manner SO
that the other woman would see it.
The rival mother produced a coral
necklace with blue locket, and care
lessly clasped it about Minerva Ger
aldine's neck.
Then the other in tones of alarm
exclaimed, "Why, Alphonso, have
you lost your little gold ringy' Al
phonso, who was about thirteen
months old, vcuchsafed no reply, but
only looked sad. and his mother, af-
ter brief search, produced the ring
from a neelle-case, and, with a glance
of triumph. forced it on his finger.
The little woman was pale, but
compressed her lips with stern de-
termination. Reaching down into
her basket she brought out silver
mug and a wax doll with real hair.
She trembled with excitement, for
she had shown her full hand. She
won; the silver mug settled it.
"Did you intend to put that over
grown monstrosity ON exhibition
here9" inquired the fiery haired fe-
male, glaring wildly at her rival.
"Why don't you hire out your liv-
ng skeleton to side -show?' screamed
,he little woman, her eyes swapping
With rage.
"Womanr'
"Creaturer
1t looked as if there might be
'loodshed, and a humane reporter,
Vho had overheard the wrangle,
ushed in to interfere.
us InJfittle darling a monstros-
typ
us my Alphonso living skele-
on?'
Both interrogations rang out SIM
ltaneously with shrillness that ,
rowned the yelping of the CANNES
nd the Growing of the prize roosters
the next apartment.
Ladies'" said he, with an express
on of great solicitude, "they are I
9th angels. But for heavens sake
D not. detain me, for / have lust
zen exposed to the scarlet few" y
And each exasperated female
utched up her baby and nursing
title and basket and bounced out
e was alona