Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-09-15
BROWNS BABY.

Brown was returning from business trip
of several weeks. 1t had been successful,
aud Brown was in his best spirits and tenn
per.
A little over an hour would finish his
journey, and when the conductor sang out,
at the last stopping-place, Ten minutes for
refreshments" Brown embraced the oppor-
tunity to compound with his appetite on
terms of cup of coffee and sandwich, for
he didn't care to spoil the good dinner which
he knew Mrs. b. would have in waiting
Just before him, as he olbowed his way
back to the car he had left, his attention
was drawn by a pretty woman carrying
baby, who seemed much iucommoded by the
iostling crowd. Now Brown, be it remem-
bered, was in an amiable mood. He took an
interest in babies, withal having one Of his
own, an infant paragon, for whose sake
Brown felt impeled to patronize babies gen
orally.
ALLOW me to assist you, madam" he said,
extending his arms for tho pretty womans
charge
"Thankee, sir" she replied, handing il
over at once, and tripping briskly up the
steps.
Brown followed as closely as he could ;
but, encountered as he was, several passen-
gers got ahead of him. Inside there was a
general scramble Of the newcomers for seats,
and Browns attention for the time, was
fully occupied in maintaining his right to
his own.
The confusion over, he looked about fol
the pretty woman, but she was nowhere "a
be seen. Brown felt nervous, for just then
the whistle blew, and the train began t
move.
MAYBE she's gone forward to another
car, finding no room here" said Brown to
himself, expecting me to follow"
Catching at tho thought, he rushed
through, from car to car, scanning eagerly
every face he passed, till he reached the
smoking.car, and from that he would have
passed into the baggage-car, but that HI
found it locked, aad mo ADMITTANcE'
painted on the door. But all in vain; the
pretty woman was not to be found
A backward search proved equally fruit
less, and poor Brown, in helpless perplexity
returned to his seat, and sat him down t
ponder.
Brown was accounted as shrewd man, and
had reputation (which he had prded himself
lie would have laughed to scorn the wiles o
the most cunning sharper in trade; knew
lust when to below with the bulls, and whel
to grow with the bears when to 60 shor
in Moonshine Preferred, and when to b
long in Gossamer Common. That he, tn
wary Peleg Brown, should have counter
felt baby passed upon him-should hav,
been taken in by trick so stale-was to-
CALLING to be thought of calmly.
The baby had slept hitherto, but now
woke up. Something in Browns fac
frightened it, and it began to cry.
This added to Browns embarrassment, b.
attracting the notice of the passengers. II
enleavored TO quiet the little wretch dan
died it furiously; even tried to sing to it. i
a low tone, as much as he could remembe
Of DR.. Watts "Hush, My Babe" to a tuu
which resembled Yankee Doodle; but thi
frightened the baby still more, and it
screams became continent.
In despair, Brown hailed the prizo-cand
boy, invested in package, tore it open, an
thrust half the contents into the baby
mouth, at the risk of choking it with tn
gold dollar which might have been amonl
them. But the baby was too young to lik
candy, aud sputtered it over Browns doe
skins, turning up its rudimental nose in dee
disgust, and roaring louder than ever.
"Hello, Brown what have you 60
there ?" said Sam. Twiggs, coming forwar
aud clapping a hand on his friends shoulder
A CLEAN Of hope flashed upon Brown
Sam was a well.to.do bachelor, without re
ations, and would, some day, want an hei
to his handsome fortune. Maybe he coul
be induced to adopt the little stranger
Brown pat the case strongly, but Sam. iaile
to see it.
cat any rate, hold it for mo minute,
} requested Brown, offering Sam. the baby
"til | see if somebody hasn't such thing a
bottle of psregoric, or something to put a
end to this internal din"
"No more at present; yours respectfully,
5 said Sam, turning on his heel, and hurry
, ing away abruptly.
"What pity it hadn't been born thrC
thousand years ago, and found by Pharaoh
daughter in bunch Of burushes !" muttere
Brown, looking down scOwlingy at his voci
erous burthen.
"For my part" he growled, al cant in
agine whatever put it in to the little imp
head to be born at all"
But babies can't cry always. There is
limit to even their lachrymal endurance, an
Browns baby-it was his, at least, by pc
sessory title-succumbe1 at last, and ie
into quiet sleep.
Brown became more composed by degree
. and more capable of looking the situation
Il the face.
!. AS he looked upon the little creature, no
J; smiling sweetly in its slumber, his heart b
gan to relent 1t bore a striking likene
q to the paragon at home and if Polly's col
; sent could only be obtained to adopt the lit
4 waif as a twin brother or sister, as the ca
. might be, of their own baby, wouldn't TIL
. be the easiest way OF escape from the rid
. Guile which was Browns greatest dread
q Sam. Twiggs, the only one present who kne
him, might be persuaded to silence.
Big with this project Brown reached b