The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-02-17
The Rival Babies.

Uncle Luther Beecher's grand co-opera-
tive baby-show, which was to have been
one of the features of the poultry and dog
exposition at Young Mems Hall lis not Wis.,
IDLE to the naked eye as yet, but it came
very near making start on Saturday af-
ternOon. 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 suspiciously. One
was tall female with auburn hair, and
the other was little lump of a woman
with very black eyes and determined
look. Although they were alone in the
room, neither spoke, but they commenced
to unpack their offspring. The auburn-
haired lady finally produced from the
midst of innumerable wrappings a pale,
scrawny- looking infant. wearing consider
able gold chain and an expression of set
tied melancholy. The other baby was
chip of the old block, so to speak-a cor
pulent chernb, with puffy checks and big
eyes, who proceeded to suck it's fat thumbs
with much composure.
The silence was becoming oppressive
when the tall women broke it. She re-
marked with effected solicitude
"What is the matter with your baby
mum' the poor little thing looks quite un-
WELL"
The little woman's black eyes snapped,
but she answered with forced composure
'sMinerva Geraldine was never sick day
in her life, madam, nd she is sixteen
months and ten days old. Has your little
one been ailing longl"
The tall woman's hair began to 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 distracted manner SO that the
other woman would see it.
The rival mother produced coral neck
lace with blue locket, and carelessly
clasped it about Minerva Geraldine's 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, vouch-
safed no reply, but only looked sad, and
his mother, after a brief search, produced
the ring from small needle-case, and,
with a glance of triumph, forced it on his
finger.
The little woman was pale, but COM
pressed her lips with stern determination.
Reaching down into her basket she brought
out silver mug and a wax doll with real
hair. She tremtled With excitement, for
she had shown her full hand. She won;
the silver mug settled it.
''Did you intend to put that overgrown
monstrosity OH exhibition here p inquired
the tiery-headed female, glazing wildly at
her rival.
"Why don't you hire out your living
skeleton to a side-show I" screamed the
little woman, her black eyes swapping with
rage.
"Womanw
sCreaturew
1t looked as if there might he bloodshed,
and humane reporter, who had overheard
the wrangle, rushed in to interfere.
"Is my little darling monstrosityp
'Is my Alphonso living skeleton p
Both iuterrogati0ns rang out simultane-
ously with shrillness that drowned the
yelping of the CANNES and the growing Of
the prize BOOSTERS i'll the next apartment.
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 scarlet
few"
And each exasperated female clutched
up her baby and nursing bottle and basket
aud bounced out.
He was alone.