St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-05-13

stammered out: GOOD gracious: mum,
why hain't You got him2''
'.No.'' shrieked Mrs Hoskins, turn
ing white.
snow don't be frightened" said
Margaret; perhaps John brought him
up and put him in one OF the other
| rooms
The other two rooms were immedi-
ately ransacked by three excited wom-
en-, but John hadn't done ANYTHING of
the sort. Where was John? He was
now the last, forlorn hope. He might
have baby with him. If he hadn but
the three women refused to consider the
terrible alternative.
''He went down stairs to see about
something,' said Mrs. Hoskins, and a
bell-boy was hastily summoned to send
him hither.
When Mr.. Hoskins opened the door
of his department. three women shrieked:
"The baby!' Mrs. Hoskins tainted
dead away, the nurse wrung her hands
and stepped on the toes of Augustus,
who set up long and piercing howls,
Clarence Joined in from no particular
reason except to help along the general
misery, and Margaret exclaimed: go
dear! how could it have happened?'
Wh-what's the matter?' gasped
Mr.. Hoskins, his hand still on the door
| knob.
"Why, we can't find the baby said
Margaret, "and we thought you had
him.
"Me' exclaimed Mr.. Hoskins, "why,
l haven't seen him since put him into
that carriage. Lizzie, what did you do
with that baby2'' i ID - 4
"Good heyings! Mr.. Hoskins, I hain't
done nothin' with him I rushed out
O. the kerridge when I seen Master
! Clarence under the. horses heels and
s'posed some one else had him, the poor,
precious dear!''
"And was after Gus said Marga-
ret, looking up from her occupation OF
applying restoratives to her sister.
Mr.. Hoskins wildly rushed from the
room saying: (" He must have been left
in that hack and he made a dive for
the elevator, which, being down at that
moment, he kicked furiously at the gate,
apparently with the intention of plung-
ing down the yawning abyss. Failing
to accomplish this, he recollected there
was a bell, which he rang furiously,
then turned and was half way down the
stairs, two steps at time, at the mo-
ment the elevator appeared at the fourth
landing.
He ran into the Office, upsetting two
or three porters, and inquired if any one
had seen baby. Nobody had. He
was advised to go and find the car
riage, which he attempted to do. 1t
next occurred to him to consultthe police.
He was asked the number of the car
rage He didn't know; he never looked
at the number The officer shook his
head, and considered the case dubi-
Gus, but advised him to 60 to the sta
ton, lay the case before the authori-
ties and have it worked up immedi-
ately.
This advice was followed by Mr.. Hos
kins. who, coming back to the hotel,
found his wife in a dreadful state of
nervousness and suspense, and Marga-
ret, pale and hagggard, doing her best to
soothe her.
Meanwhile, what became of the baby?
At about ten p. N. the previous even
ing the night express came in from the
south and Mr.. Richard Kennetson be-
ing on that particular train. alighted
therefrom, signaled hack, threw in
his ulster, and, ensconcing himself with
in, gave directions to be driven to the
- Hotel. He had not been inside
more than three minutes when an I'M
mistakable wall arose from the opposite
seat. directly under the ulster.
"Angels and ministers of gracen ex-
claimed Mr.. Richard kennetson, and,
not being timorous or superstitious. he
Immediately began to examine the inte-
rior. It was quite d dark night, but as
he lifted the ulster they flashed past a
gas light, whereupon Mr.. Kennetson
ejaculateds "A babyps w.
His first impulse was flight. But no,
that was hardly judicious. The baby
would be discovered and suspicion
would be fastened on him. He signaled
the driver to stop. "Look here" he
demanded, "did you know there was a
baby in herep"
Cabby appeared thund erstruck for an
instant, then grew incredulous, and
seemed to. regard the matter as a
drive" put up against him. "a baby!
o course not, unless you put it in there
yourself"
"I-have baby with me! What in
thunder do you mean2' ~
80, nothin', sir; but I've seen gen.
tlemen before as would have their little
joke, you know" And cabby, assum-
ing the knowing air OF one who was
not to be stuffed" prepared to drive
on.
"Look here, SIR" said MIR. Kennel
son in a peremptory tone, "get down
from that seat and come here, and tell
me what this means"
Cabby dismounted and looked in.
uGowhitfaknri,s was the ayclarna-