The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-04-07
HELEN'S BABIES,
WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THEIR WAYS.

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 Hill
crest. Tom Lawrence's cigars and claret
aud horses, splendid flower garden, plenty
Of handsome girls, and unlimited leisure
for reaGing-these were the inducements
offered me. Incidentally, as Tom and
Helen We're to be absent on visit, | was
just to keep an eye on the children, who, |
was assured, would not give me the slight
est trouble
Remembering Bulge, the elder, as boy
of five, with a serious, noble face, and
great pure, penetrating eyes, and Toddie
as happy little know-nothing Of three
Summers with head of tangled yellow
hair | set out for Hilcrest without appre-
heuson of impending woe.
At the end of the trip hired a hackman
TO drive me to Toms. On the way our
horses SHE'D violently, and the driver ex.
claimed;
That was one of the 'imps that little
cuss that scared the bosses. There he
comes, runnin,' Wonder where the other
is? We call 'em the imps, cause they re
so uncommon likely at mischief
The offending youth was Badge, in a
very dirty sailor suit, and the other imp
who bore down on us in cloud raised by
thrusting a branch into the dust of the
road, was Toddie.
They're my nephews.' ] gasped.
The recognition was mutual.
"You're Uncle Harry" said Bulge.
" Did you bring us anything?'
Bring us anything - echoed Toddie.
''I wish | could have brought you some
big whippings," said l, severely. 9 Get
into this carriage
In they climbed, each with very dirty
towel, knotted in the centre.
"They're not towels, )" explained Bulge,
They're dollies; we don't like buyed dol
lies: these is lovely"
:" want to shee your watch, - remarked
Toddie, rolling into my lap, followed by
Bulge
Obedently l showed them the dial OF
my three hundred dollar time keeper.
"Want to shee wheels go wound" said
Toddie.
"No,' said l, fearful of dust.
"Want to shee wheels go wound" re.
peated Toddie: "want to shee wheels &C
wound
Il tell you can't, Toddie; dust spoils
Watches"
9 Want to shee the wheels go wound
murmured Toddie again.
Abruptly pocketed the watch. Todde's
Jaw dropped, and he cried:
Ah-h-h-h. Want-to shee-the
wheels-go wou-wound"'
''Stop that noise this instant"
Observation-Disclosures to shee-"
"Toddie, I've got some candy in
"Wheels go wound, Ah-h-h-hr'
Toddie, dear, don't cry SO. There are
some ladies coming IN carriage"
"Ah.-h-h-h. Want to shee wheeles"
Madly | snatched my watch from my
pocket, opened the case, and exposed the
works to view. The passing carriage stop.
ped; my name was called, and looking up
-bright-eyed fair-faced and smiling
Miss Alice Mayton, lady whom for about
a year | had adored from AFFAIR." The ease
with which she greeted me, prased-actu
ally praised those dreadful children, and
let lie discover that a bouquet from the
Lawrence garden would be an acceptable
offering, converted my confusion into de
light. When the carriage started again
Toddie murmured:
"Ucken Hawwy, does you love that
lady >"
No, Toddie, of course not
Then you's BADLY man, adj de Lore
won't let you go to heaven if you don,
love peoples"
You believe | was glad to get these chill
dren home and turn them over to the girl
At dinner they found fault with my bless
ing, and taught me the one their papa says
Then they condemned my version of Jonah
aud Bulge gave one certainly more graphic
And finally, after requiring me to say my
prayers first, that performance, too, was
boldly criticised. Bulge prayed with {
face fit for an angel, and then Toddie CLOSED
his eyes, wriggled, twisted, breathed hard
| and at last began:
Dee Lord make me not sho bad, an
hesh mamma, an papa, an budgie, an
doppity tgrandfather(, an both boggies
(grandmotheri, an all good people in di
house, an everybody else, an my dollie
A-a-men.'
"Now give US candy said Bulge
echoed by Toddie.
gave them candy and escaped at las
to the parlor, where | passed delicious
evening with my books. That night Tod
die howled for his dolly like a youn.
demon, and made me get up and find it 70
him; aud the nex t morning, before he wa
fairly awake, | was appalled, to hear hin
murmur:
Want-to--shee- wheels -go--wound.
/ At breakfast he remarked:
"Ucken Hawwy, daysh an awfoo funn.
! chunt up 'tairs-awfoo big chunt. | shoy
it you after brepspup.'
"Toddie's silly little boy" said Bulge
che always says brepspup for brekfus
| breakfast
"Oh. What does he mean by chunt
Budge?''
:" guess he means trunk
a dlreful thought struck me. | rushed
up stairs. Yes, he did mean trunk m,
trunk-open. emptied. A backing box il
my dress hat, and rolled up tightly in m
dress coat one of the dolls. But wors
was to come. | made an exquisite boque
for Miss Mayton, and put it IN box whc
| sent to her by the coachman. To m
surprise he brought it back, and Toddie
shrieking with delight, snatched it and ex
claimed:
ooh, darsh my dolly's k'adle. Some
body put nasty ole flowers in it; frowe
'em away
Opening the box he displayed in
fernal doll, | viewed him so sternly tina
he took refuge in sobs, wept plentifully o
my shirt front, and murmured:
g vanish to love you, and vanish yo
to love me-
Who could resist? petted and kisse
him till he was consoled, and resumed hi
sovereignty, with the infantile command:
50 kiSh nv dolly. too