Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-09-16


sir; a queer, foreign looking thing, with
yellow skin and hair as black AS night,
and big gold hoops in her ears but she
talked something about the next steamer
i could not understand her lingo, sir
and went right back to New York ON
the o'clock train"
Joseph Verley stood aghast, staring at
the rosy baby, as it lay Growing in the
woman's arms, and wondering which of
his lucky stars he should call on to aid
him in his unlooked-tor emergency. A
fullgrown young lady niece would have
been bad enough a baby
$50 tn is is my niece" he muttered,
"And what am to do with her ?"
He then turned suddenly to the colored
women :
"What time does the next train for
Winfield leave ?"
" In an hour, sir"
Would you be kind enough to take
care of the child till then ? l suppose
must take it home with me, for l can't
very well drown it, or throw it under the
car wheels"
"Sir ~ calculated the astonished stew
ardess.
But Mr.. Verley turned on his heel and
strobe out of the depot, scarcely able at
first to comprehend the disaster that had
betallen him.
The train was Mt the depot when he re-
turned, and the woman awaited him with
the sleeping infant in her arms.
"Asleep, eh ?" said Mr.. Verley.-
"Well, that's lucky"
Where's the nurse, sir ?" inquired
the woman.
"Nurse! What nurse ?"
Why, supposed you went to get a
nurse"
Never once thought oft /" calculated
poor Joseph, madly shifting his forehead.
Here, give the thing to me quick-the
train is moving"
He had hardly time to spring on board
as the locomotive gave an unearthly
shrek, while the baby followed suit.
He staggered to his seat, holding the
umbrella and child in one hand, while in
the other his valse swung backward and
forward.
"There there bless its little heart I"
he exclaimed, initiating the colored wo-
man. ave won't cry any-no, we
won't.n
But The baby evidently had an opinion
of its own on the subject, aud would cry
in spite of the various Establishments
practiced by the bewildered uncle-such
as shaking the umbrella handle, swing
his watch, and trotting both knees.
People began to look around reproach.
fully; young men shrugged their shou-
ders, and young ladies giggled.
Hush, hush there's darling 7"
whispered Mr.. Verley.
But still the baby wept and walled and
gnashed it gums, for of teeth it had but
two. Mr.. Verley began to look around
the car in seach Of some matronly dame
of whom he could take counsel, but in
vain. There were only three ladies in
the car, and they were young, with round
hats and dimpled cheeks.
"Oh, why didn't | have common sense
enough to go and get nurse. suppose
there is no danger of II baby bursting its
lungs. But should think if there was
such a contingency, this baby was in a
iair way Of meeting it. We'll, roar away
my young friend can stand it as long
as you can"
Vain boast, and as futile as vain, rs
Mr.. Verey very soon discovered. The
baby not only cried but it screamed, it
kicked, it doubled itself over in more
ways than contortioni SITS dreams could
imagine, and became apparently frantic
with passion. The persplration broke
out in huge beads upon Joseph's brow,
his face flushed, and still the cars thun-
dered on.
What's to become of me ?" he pom
dered, holding desperately on to the
struggling infant by the sash that encir-
ced its little waist, and watching its pur-
Pile face with Il species of detestation.
~ don't wonder Harold died l shall
die in a week if this thing goes on. And
it seems so easy for Barbara Smith to
take care Of her little brother and sisters.
II she was here I"
And Mr.. Verley jerked the baby up
into sitting posture with a sudden jerk.
"I'll do it," quoth Mr.. Verey "I'll
take the back express at O'Clock in the
morning, and go straight there. All,
you may stop crying, you little hypocrte
1T won't do any good Pm no. to be
caught twice in the same trap"
Barbara Smith was watering her tube
roses in the bright morning sunshine
as Mr.. Verley drove up TO the gate, with
the valise and baby in the carriage.
" Dear me, Mr.. Verley," she ejaculat-
ed, blushing celestial rosy red.' "Why
what II sweet baby -
Yes, very sweet" be responded dry
ly. TITS my niece that | was 10 meet at
SpeedvilIe."
Why, | thought she was young
lady"
So did /; but it seems she's not.
Barbara, what do you suppose brought
me back ?" he added, speaking very
fast, for fear the baby would cry.
81 don't know" faltered Barbara,
crimsoning still more. perhaps you
forgot something"
Yes, did,"
" What was it ?" said Barbara, little
disappointed.