The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1878-11-26

4 That first baby was great in stitutpn
As soon as he came into this brealhin;
world "A w. Shakespeare has it, h
took command in our house. Every
thing was suhservient to him. He regu
lated the temperature, hef regulated th'
servants, he regulated ME.
For the first six months of that preo
ious baby's existence, he had me up, on
an average, six times night.
Mr.. Bilkins,' said my wife, "hrine
a light, do: the baby looks 50 strangely
I'm. afraid it will have fit9
or course the lamp was brought, and
OF course the baby lay smoking his fist,
like a little bear that he was,
"Mr. Blkins,' said my wife, " think
feel draft of air, wish you would
get up and see if the window is not open
little, because baby might get SICK
Nothing was the matter with the win
dow, as knew very well.
"Mr. Bllkius," said my wife, just as
was going to sleep, again, i" that lamp,
as you have placed it. shines directly in
baby's eyes. Strange that you have no
more consideration"
arranged the light, and went to bed,
again. just as l was dropping off to
sleep" Mr. Blkns,s said my wife, "dld
you think to buy that broma, to-day, for
the baby p
"My dear" said l, will you DO me the
injustice to believe that could overlook
matter so essential to the comfort of
that nestimahle child 7"
She apologized very handsomely, but
made her anxiety the scapegoat. for
gave her, and without saying word adj
dressed myself to sleep.
"Mr. Bilkins," said my wife, shaking
me, "you must not snore SO; you will
wake the baby"
"Jest so--jest so.' said l, half asleep,
thinking was Scion Shingle.
"Mr. Bilkins," said my wife. "will you
get up and hand me that warm Cruel from
the nurse-lamp for baby--the dear child
If it wasn't for his mother, don't know
what he would do. How can you sleep
so, Mr.. Bilkns ~
al suspect, my dear" said /, -" that it
il because Im tired
"Oh, it's very well for you men to talk
about being tired said my wife;
don't know what you would say if you
had to toll and drudge like a poor wo-
man with sick baby.
tried to soothe her by telling her she
had no patience. and got up for the pos
set. Having aided in answering to the
baby's requirements, stepped into bed,
again, with the hope Of obtaining some
sleep.
"Oh, dear!" said that inestmable wo-
man, in great apparent anguish, how
can man who has arrived ut the honor
of a live baby of his own, sleep, when he
don't know that the dear creature will
live till morning"
remained silent. and, after while,
deeming that Mrs, Bilkins had gone to
sleep, | stretched my limbs for repese.
How long slept don't know but
was awakened by furious job in the
forehead from some sharp instrument. l
started up. and Mrs Bilkins was sitting
up in bed, adjusting some portions ofthe
babv's dress. She had, in state of sem
somnolence, mistaken my head for pill
low, which she customarily used for
nocturnal pincushion. protested against
such treatment in somewhat round terms.
pointing to several perfora,ions in my
forehead She told me l should willingly
bear such triflng ills for the sake of the
baby l insisted upon it that didn't
think my duty as a parent to the immor-
tai, required the surrender of my head
IS pin cushion. -tts4
Tuis was one Of the many nights pas
sed in this way. The truth was that
baby what every mans first baby is-an
autocrat, sbsolute and unlimited,
Such was the story of Bilkins, as he
related it to us the other day 1t is a
little exaggerated picture of almost eve
~ mans experience. -Gleasons Mon
thly.