The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-28
Changing Babies.

and cattle were fed in winter. There
was some hay in manger; she laid him
on it, and sitting beside him, sang softly.
This is what she sang:
What will you give,
What will you give,
For my little baby fair?
Nothing is bright as his bonny blue eyes
Or soft as his curling hair.
What will you bring,
What will you bring,
To trade for my treasure here
None show me a thing so sweet,
Anywhere, far or near"
MOO moo-oo said something not
far from Susy. You think that's so, do
your" And Madam Jersey Cow looked
very doubtfully at Baby Said she
"Can he kick up his heels, and frolic all
over the yard ?"
why, no, said Susy he can't walk
yet"
All how old is he p
Nearly year old" said Susy.
Nearly year My child walked be-
fore she was two days oldr' The COW
gave scornful sniff, and walked off with
out another look.
"Baaaa," said an old sheep, walking
up with a snow-white downy lamb Let
me see He is nice little thing, sure
enough. But has he only two legs?"
That's all, said Susy.
Then mine is worth twice as much,
of course. If you had two babies, now.
we might make bargain. But he seems
to have no wool T.
mo, ma'am," said Susy, "but see
what pretty curly hair he has.
4" l don't think l would wish to trade,
thank you" and she and her lamb trot-
ted away and went to eat grass.
"Quack quack quack Let me take
look, and Mrs. Duck few up on the
edge of the manger.
His feet don't look as if he'd make
good swimmer" she said, looking at Ba-
by pink dimpled toes.
ooh, he can't swim at all, said Susy.
Goodbye" said Mrs. Duck, All my
darlings can swim
"Chip chip chip" was the next
elm tree which stood near, a robin flew
down, and perched on the end of a pitch
fork. She turned her head from side to
side, gazing at Baby in a very wise way.
What can he sing" said she.
Oh, he cant sing at all yet, said
Susy ~" he's too little
Too littlel" exclaimed Mrs Red
breast why he's tremendous Cant
he sing, Fee-fee-6lly- flly-weet-
weet?"
"No, no, said Susy.
"All my children sang well at four
months. Has he little red feathers on his
breast ?"
No." said Susy.
i shouldn't like to hurt your feel
ings, but you see how much I should loose
on an exchange, and | am sure you would
not wish that.
No I shouldn't" said Susy And
Mrs. r. Redbreast few away
Chuck cluck cluck Peep peep''
Mrs. White Leghorn Hen came along with
her downy chicks. No wonder she fused
and fumed and cackled at such rate,
Susy thought, with twelve babies to look
after
al haven't much time to look" said
the hen, and should hardly be willing
to trade. Can your baby say Peep
peep. when he's hungry
When he's hungry he cries-but not
peep-peep, ;" said Susy.
see his legs are not yellow, either,
so I'll bid you very good afternoon.
Off she went ruffling her feathers, and
clucking and scratching till Susy laughed
aloud
al don't wonder you laugh, purred
something near her. Susy turned in
great surprise There, at the other end
Of the manger, in cosy corner, was her
old gray cat. That wasn't all. There
were three little kits a white one, a
black one, and a gray one Susy had not
seen them before and she fondled them
lovingly.
She's so proud because she has
twelve said Mrs. Puss, looking after
Mrs. w. l. Hen Now l think a small
family is much better-three, for in
stance. Don't you think that three are
enough p
Indeed said Susy, I think ones
enough-if it's teething.'
Mine never trouble me with their
teeth. And perhaps I can never teach
your baby to purr, or to catch mice.
Still believe I'll take him, aud let you
have one kitten, as l have three.
Oh no you don't understand me,
cried Susy. Il don't want to change
at ALL I'd rather have my little brother
than anything else in the world" But
Me- pnoo fooL hold Of him az "a 70 oorr,y