River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-02-05
The Rival Babies.
[From Inc Detroit Pres. ]


Uncle Luther Beecher's grand cooper.
alive 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 it
came very near making a start on Satur-
day afternoon. Two women with baby's
entered the parlor set aside for the little
popsey-wopseys, and, taking seats on the
opposite sides Of the room, proceeded to
stare at each other coldly and suspicious
ly. One was a tall femaie with auburn
hair, and the other was little lump Of
woman with very black eyes and deter
mined look. Although they were alone
in the room, neither spoke, but they COM
menced to unpack their offspring.
The auburn haired lady finally produc-
ed from the midst Of innumerable wrap
pings pale, scrawney-looking infant,
wearing considerable gold chain and an
expression Of settled melancholy. The
other baby was q chip of the old block,s0
to speak-a corpulent cherub with puffy
cheeks and big eyes, who proceeded to
suck its fat thumbs with much coinpos-
ure.
The Hence was becoming oppressive
when the tel. woman broke it. She re-
marked with affected solicitude.
"What is the matter with your baby
mumi The poor little thing looks un-
well.n
The little woman's black eyes snapped.
but she answered with forced composure
minerva Geraldine was never sick day
in her life, madame, and she is l6 months
and 10 days old. Has your little one
been ailing long 7"
The tall wemsn's hair began to raise
up, but she pretended to be looking to
see where the pin was pricking her sad
ly she wound the infants gold chain
around her anger in an distracted man
ner so that the other woman would see it.
The rival mother produced coral.
necklace with blue locket, and careless
ly clasped it about Minerva Geraldine's
neck.
Then the other in tones Of alarm ex-
claimed, "Why, Alphonso, who was
about 3 months old, vouchsafed no re.
ply, but only looked sad, and his mother
after a brief search produced the rim
from a needle.caSe, and, with glance Of
triumph, forced it on his finger.
The little woman was pale, but CON-
pressed her lips with stern determination.
Reaching down into her basket she
brought out silver mug and wax doh
with real hair. She trembled with ex.
element, for she had shown her full
hand. She won the silver mug settled
it.
"Did you intend to put that overgrown
monstrosity on exhibition here e. inquir.
ed the fiery haired female, glazing wildly
at her rival.
"Why don't you hire out your living
skeleton to a side show p screamed the
little woman, her eyes swapping with
rage.
"Woman."
"Creature."
II looked as if there might be blood
shed, and humane reporter, who had
overheard the wrangle, rushed in to in.
terfere.
'Is my little darling a monstrosity q
"is my Alphonso living skeleton 7"
Both interrogations rang out simulta-
neously with shrillness that drowned
the yelping Of the CANNES. and the crow
ing Of the prize ROSTERS in the next apart
ment.
Ladies'" said he, with an expression
Of great solicitude, they are both angels.
But for heavens sake do not detain me,
for have just been exposed to the scar.
let few"
And each exasperated female clutchod
up her baby and nursing bottle and
basket and bounced out. He was alone.