Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-03-10
HELEN'S BABIES.
With Some Account of their Ways.

1t was an enticing invitation from my
only married sister, Helen Lawrence
that moved me, Harry Burton, salesman
of white goods, bachelor, aged twenty
eight, to spend my fortnight's vacation
at Hillcrest Tom Lawrences cigars
and claret and horses, a splendid flower
garden, plenty of handsome girls, and
unlimited leisure for reading these were
the inducements offered me. Inciden-
tally, as Tom and Helen were to be alb
sent on visit, was just to keep an eye
on the children, who [ was assured,
would not give me "the slightest
trouble"
Remembering Bulge, the elder, as a
boy of five, with serious, noble face
and great, pure penetrating eyes, and
Toddie as a happy little know-nothing Of
three summers with a head of tangled
yellow hair, set out for Hillcrest with
out apprehension of impending woe.
At the end of the trip I hired hack
man to drive me to Toms. On the way
our horses SHE'D violently, and the driver
exclaimed:
"That was one of the imps that
little cuss that scared the hosses. There
he comes, runnin'. Wonder where
t'other is? We call 'em the 'imps,
cause they're SO uncommon likely at
mischief ?"
The offending youth was Budge, in a
very dirty sailor suit, and the other
"imp," who bore down on us in cloud
raised by thrrlsting branch into the
dust of the road was Toddie
"They're my nephews" 1 gasped.
The recognition was mutual.
"You're Uncle Harry" said Budge.
"Did you bring us anything?"
g Bring us anything ?" echoed Toddie.
"I wish I could have brought YOU
some big whippings," said I, severely.
"Get into this carriage"
In they climbed, each with very
dirty towel, knotted in the center.
"They're not towels" explained
Bulge, "they're dollies we don't like
buyed dollies; these is lovely"
"I want to shee yours watch" re-
marked Toddie, rolling into my lap, fol
lowed by Bulge.
Obediently 1 showed them the dial Of
my three-hundred-dollar timekeeper.
"Want to shee wheels go wound,
said Toddie.
"No," said I, fearful of dust.
"Want to shee wheels go wound,
repeated Toddie; "want to shee the
wheels go wound"
81 tell you I can't, Toddie; dust
spoils watches"
"Want to shee the wheels go wound,
murmured Toddie again
Abruptly [ pocketed the watch. To-.
dies jaw dropped, and he cried:
"Ah-h-h-h. Want-to-shee-tht
wheels-go wou-ound p
"Stop that noise this instant p
Yes--oo-oo-wan to shee"-
"Toddie, I've got some candy in
Wheels go wound Ah-h-h-h T
"Toddie, dear, don't cry SO. There
are some ladies coming in carriage"
"Ah-h-h--h. Wants to shet
wheels r.
Madly l snatched my watch from m,
pocket, opened the case, and exposed
the works to view. The passing carriage
stopped; my name was called, and
looking up, I saw-bright eyed, fai,
faced and smiling-Miss Alice Mayton
lady whom for about year 1 had adoret
from afar The ease with which sht
greeted me, praised--actually praised
those dreadful children; and let me dis
cover that a bouquet from the Lawrenc,
garden would be an acceptable offering
converte my confusion into delight
When the carriage started again, Toddi'
murmured
Ucken Hawwy, does you love tina
lady?"
"No, Toddie, of course not
"Then yous BADLY man, an dc Lore
won't let you go to heaven if you don
love peoples"
You may believe I was glad to ge
those children home and turn them owe
to the girl At dinner they found faul
with my blessing, and taught me the on,
their papa says. Then they condemuo,
my version Of Jonah, and Bulge gay,
one certainly much more graphic. Ant
finally, after requiring me to say m,
prayers first, that performance, too, wa
boldly criticised. Bulge prayed will
a face fit for an angel, aud then Todd,
closed his eyes, wrigglcd, twisted
breathed hard aud at Inst began
Dee Lord not make me sho bad, an
besh mamma, an papa, M Budgie, an
doppity (grandfather), an both boggie
grandmother), an al good people il
dish house, an everybody else, an m.
dolly. A-a-men p
"Now give us candy" said Bulge
echoed by Toddie.
gave them the candy md escaped y
last to the parlor, whore passed tle
ieieas evening with my hoehM Tha