Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-03-04
The Rival Babes.

! Uncle Luther Beecher's grand co-opera-
4 tive baby show, which was to have been
one OF the features Of the poultry and dog
exposition at Young Meas hall, Is not visi-
Die to the naked eve as yet, but it came
very near making start on Saturday az
terHoon. Two women with babies enter
ed the parlor set aside for the liitle popsey
wopsies, and taking seats on opposite
sides of the room. proceeded to stare at
each other cnldy-and suspiciouslv One
was tall female with auburn hair, and
The other was a little lump of woman
with very black eyes and 4 determined
look. Although they were alone in the
| room. neither spoke. but they commenced
to unpack their offspring. The auburn
hair lady finally produced from the midst
OF innumerable w-sppings pale scrawny
looking infant, wearing gold chain and
an expression of settled melancholy. The
othcI baby was chip OF the old block. so
10 speak-a corpulent cheruh, with puffy
cheeks and big ewes, who proceeded to
! suck its fat thumbs with much compoS-
urc.
The silence was becoming oppressive,
when the tall women broke 1t. She re-
marked with affected solicitude:
What is the matter with your baby,
mum? The poor little thing looks quite
unwel.
The little woman's black eyes snapped;
but She answered with forced compos-
ure Minerva Geraldine was never sick
a day In her life, madam and she is sixteen
months and ten days old. Has your little
Que been ailing long"
The tall woman'' hair began TO raise up
but -hc pretended 10 he looking To see
where the pin was prichiug her sad faced
babe, and made no reply. Presently she
wound the infants gold chain around ner
finger in an abstractcd manner so that the
woman could see it.
The rival mother produced a coral neck
lace and blue locket, and carelessly
cla,ped 1t about Minerva Geraldne's
neck.
Then the other in tones OF alarm ex-
claimed: why AlphoEso, have You lost
your gold ling:' Aiphon,o who was
about thirteen months old, vouchsafed no
reply, but only looked sad, and his mother
ailcr brief search, produced ring from
necdle-casc. and with glance oftrumph
forced it on it, finger.
The little woman was pale but com
pressed her lips with stern determination.
Reaching down Into her basket she
brought oCt a silver mug and L wax doll
with real hair She trcmbied with excite
mcnt for she had shown her full hand. She
/ WIN NAt NtAN'l IlluI NttiltI IL.
Did you intend To put that overgrowu
moustrosity on exhibition here inquired
the liery-hAired female. Slaring wildly at
her rival.
why don't you hire out your living
skeleton silc-siow:' p screamed the lit
tle woman, her eyes swapping with rage.
w oman"
"Crrature."
Il looked as If there might be blood
shed, and humane reporter, who had
overheard the wrangIe rushed in to inter
fere.
Is my little darling monstrosityE'
is my Alphouso living skeIeton?'
Both iut"rOgatious rang out simulta-
neously with shrIllness that crowned the
yelplns OF the CANNES and the growing OF
the prize roosters in the next apartment.
Ladies" said he, with au expression of
great solicitude, they are both angels.
Bur tor heavens sake do not detain me. for
| have just been exposed to the scarlet
fcV-''
Aud each exasperatcd female clutched
up her baby aud nursing bottle ana basket
snd bounced out. He was alone.-1Dc-
trot Post.