American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-02-06

UNCLE LUTHER BEEcHER's grand CO.
operative baby show, which was to have
been one of the feature 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 babies
entered the parlor set aside for the little
popsey-wopseys, and, taking seats on
opposite sides of the room, proceeded to
stare at each other coldly and suspicious
ly. One was tall female with auburn
hair, and the other was q little lump of q
woman with very black eyes and de-
termined look. Although they were
alone in the room, neither spoke, but
they commenced to unpack their off
spring.
The auburn haired lady finally pro-
duced from the midst of innumerable
wrappings a pale, scrawny-looking in
FAINT, wearing considerable gold chain
and an expression of settled melancholy.
The other baby was q chip of the old
block, so to speak, cOrpulent cherub
with puffy cheeks and big eyes, who pro-
ceeded to suck its fat thumbs with much
compOsure.
when the tall woman broke it. She re-
marked with affected solicitude:
What is the matter with your baby,
mum? The poor little thing looks quite
| unwell."
The little woman's black eyes snapped,
but she answered with forced COM
pOsure: Minerva Geraldine was never
sick day in her life, madam, and she
| is sixteen months and ten days old. Has
your little one been ailing long?"
The tall womans hair began to raise
up, butsshe pretended to be looking to
see where the pin was pricking her sad
faced babe, and made no reply. Pres
entity she wound the infants gold chain
around her finger in an distracted man.
ner, SO that the other woman would
| see it.
The rival mother produced a coral
necklace with a blue locket, and care
lessly clasped it about Minerva Gerald
| ines neck.
Then the other, in tones of alarm, ex-
claimed: "Why, Alphonso, have you
lost your little gold ring!" AlphonsO
who was about thirteen months old
vouchsafed no reply, but only looked sad
| and his mother, after a brief search, pro-
duced the ring from a needle case, and
with a glance of triumph forced it or
his finger.
The little woman was pale, but com
pressed her lips with stern determination
Reaching down into her basket she
brought out u silver mug and a wax dol
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 over
grown monstrosity on exhibition here?'
inquired the fiery haired female, glarinl
wildly at her rival.
Why don't you hire out your living
! skeleton to a side-show?" screamed TIM
little woman, her eyes swapping will
| rage.
.Womaup'
Creature!"
1t looked as if there might be blood
shed, and humane reporter who hat
overheard the wrangle rushed in to inter
fere.
as my little darling a monstrosity,"
"Is my Althonso living skeleton?"
Both Interrogations rang out simults
neously with a shrillness that drowne'
the yelping of the CANNES and the crow
ing of the prize BOOSTERS in the next aparl
= ment.
Ladies'" said he with an expressio
of great solicitude, " they are both angel
But, for Heavens sake, do not detain MI
for have just been exposed to the scarle
fev-"
And each exasperated female clutche
up her baby and nursing bottle an
basket and bounced out. He was alone
-Detron Post.