The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-06-27
A PREDICANIENT.

An awkward predicament, WASH
it, though? =? | believe / will tell yor
all about it, and thus relieve m
mind.
First. let me introduce mysel
NV name is Rosina Fairfax; | an
an artist with a little den of studi
way up in a certain sky parlor il
the great city of Chicago. 1t hap
pened while l was on my way t
visit my sister, Mrs. Arundel, il
/ Rochester.
Being "lone, lorn woman" ha,
dreaded undertaking the journey un
attended, but at last, urged by a per
suasive letter from my sister,
screwed my courage to the sticking
point" packed my trunks, and on
bright day the train, with mysel
among the passengers, steamed ava,
from the noisy, bustling city, east
ward bound.
was comfortably seated, m,
trunks properly checked, my wallis
and latest magazines on the seat b,
my side.
| leaned my head back, and gazeC
from the window on the flying pan
Drama without in perfect content.
Everything was going smoothly,
congratulated myself; |, who had tt
travel alone, as only timid woman
can understand, began to look upon
it as Just the easiest matter in tht
world, and felt quite like veteran
traveller.
was mentally reviewing the pos.
sibility of attempting trip to Sar
Francisco, and arrived at the conclu
sion that it would be so trifling al
undertaking that, as Toots would
say, Its of no consequence" when
right in the midst of nv serenity
the first blow was struck which plac'
ed me in the aforesaid predicament
CHANGING to raise nv eyes, they
fell uyon a woman with baby in
her arms seated nearly opposite from
me-
The child, perhaps nine months
of age, was a laughing, Growing little
creature, pretty as a cherub, and ex
quisitely dressed
The woman was red faced, un.
prepossessing person. could scarce
! ly believe she was the mother of that
lovely child.
After a time she arose and crossed
deliberately over to where | sat-it
was a double seat. and | occupied
only half. She sat down, facing me
without a word.
The child attracted me for time.
l have always liked children. but
have not the slightest experience in
caring for them. | always feel an
inclination TO run away when | hear
one scream, and would sooner en-
counter a roaring lion on the street
than be left alone in charge OF a
baby.
But, unfortunate woman that
ana, | began to notice the child,
while attracted by a bracelet | wore,
the baby evinced a wonderful inter-
est in me. OF course it was soon in
my arms, and upon that slight incl
dent | base all the strange occurren-
ees subsequent.
The train was slackening speed.
now, and at last came to stand still
at certain station of some size and
importance. The woman arose.
"Would you mind holding baby
for a few minutes, miss ?" she in
quired. I'D like to step off here and
buy her some milk"
OF course could not be so ungra-
cious as to refuse SO she stepped
off. The moments fled. and sudden
" with a shrek and a snort, the
train started.
And there | was with that morsel
of humanity in my arms. What
should / do? | laid the case before
the good natured conductor. He had
the impertinence to smile broadly at
me.
Beg your pardon, ma'am," he
said hastily, ''but such cases are not
uncommon. The woman has made
you a present of her baby, that's all.
She has deserted the child"
what in the world can.I do with
it?"
The conductor smiled again.
"I1l telegraph to D" he said,
blandly, ''and place the matter in
the hands of the police. In the
meantime, l see no alternative, miss,
but for you to take charge Of the
child for the present"
l began to wish that had died
when | was young. All the pleasure
had departed from INV trip.
| pictured my arrival in Roches-
ter; /. Rosina Fairfax, with baby
in nv arms. and the Mortified face
ofmy sister and her fastidious hus-
band.
| could have put my head down
upon the seat and shrieked with
rage and horror, but the baby claim
ed all my attention.
What If it should begin to cry? l
recoiled from the very thought.
There we're several ladies in the
car, but each and every one seemed
to ignore my unpleasant situation
all eyes were turned toward the car
windows, eagerly watching the fly
ing landscape without; and no one
pxofered me assistance or advice,
whilooome-I blssh to say it-were
actually smiling.
The train paused q moment at
water station. and a young man
came on board.
He was tall and slim, rather sal
low. not a bit handsome, and had
. big nose. l mentally pronounced
Nm q fright, for ! am great lover
ofbesnty, sed / hate big noses very
much. -
He took possession Of the seat
a -~-~- lal x-a