The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-06-20
A PREDICAMENT.


Tor in the great city of Chicago.
1t happened while was on my way tc
visit my sister, Mrs Arundel, in Rochester
Being lone, lorn woman" had dreaded
undertaking the journey unattended, but at
last, urged on by persuasive letter from my
sister, I screwed my courage to the stick
ing point" packed my trunks, and one
bright day the train, with myself among the
passengers, steamed away from the noisy
city, eastward bound
was comfortably seated, my trunks prop
erly checked, my valise and the latest maga-
zines on the seat at my side.
leaned my head back, and gazed from
the window ON the flying panorama without
in perfect content
Everything was going smoothly, I con-
graduated myself; l, who had to trave
alone, as only timid woman can under
stand, began TO look upon it as Just the
easiest matter in the world, and felt quite
like veteran traveller.
was mentally reviewing the possibility
of attempting trip to San Francisco, and
be SO trihing an undertaking .hat, as Toots
would say, it's of no consequence" when
right in the midst of my serenity the frs;
blow was struck which placed me in the
aforesaid predicament.
CHANGING to raise my eyes, they fell upon
nearly opposite.
The child, perhaps Dine months of age,
was q laughing growing little creature,
pretty as eherub and exquisitely dressed.
The woman was a red-faced, unprepos-
sessing person. could scarcely believe she
was the mother of that lovely little child
After time she arose aud crossed delib.
erately over to where sat--it was double
seat, and only occupied one half. She sat
down, facing me without word
The child attracted me for u time 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 baby
1
gan to notice the child, while attracted by a
bracelet | wore, the baby evinced wonder
full interest in me. OF course it was soon in
my arms and upon that slight incident
base all the strange occurrences subsequent.
The train was slackening speed now, and
at last came to a standstill at a certain sta
ton of some size and importance. The wo-
man arose
Would you mind holding baby for few
minutes, miss ~ she inquired. "Td like to
step off here and buy her some milk"
OF course ] could not be so ungrecious az
to refuse; SO she stepped off. The mo-
ments fed, and suddenly with a shrek and
n snort the train started
And there was with that morsel of hui
mainly in my arms What should l do?
ductor. He had the impertinence to smile
broadly.
"Beg your pardon, ma'am," he said,
hastily, "but such cases are not uncommon.
The woman has made you present of her
baby, that's all. She has deserted the child.
4
cried.
The conductor smiled again.
''rll telegraph back to D" he said,
blandly, "and place the matter in the hands
of the police. In tho meantime, 1 see no
alternative, miss, but .or you to take charge
of the child for the present"
began to wish that had died when l
was young All the pleasure had departed
from my trip.
pictured my arrival in Rochester; /,
Rosina Fairfax, with a baby in my arms, ard
the Mortified face of my sister and her fastid-
!ous husband.
could have put my head down upon the
seat and shrieked with rage and horror, but
the baby claimed all my attention.
What if it should begin to cry? | recoiIed
from the very thought.
There were several ladies in the car, but
each and every one seemed to ignore my un.
pleasant situation all eyes were turned to
ward the Car windows, eagerly watching the
flying landscape without; and no one prof.
fered me assistance or advice while some
blush to say it--wer actually smiling.
The train pau"ed moment at q way sta
ton, and young man came on board
He was tall aid sliru, rather sallow, not
bit handsome, and had big nose. l men,
tally pronounced him fright, for I am a
great lover of beauty, and hate big noses.
He took possession of the seat which that
fendish woman had vacated near me; of
course he asked permission, and / must ad.
NIT that his voice was one OF the sweetest I
had ever heard.
had made the child as comfortable as
knew how in my arms, wrapped in my trav-
eling-shawl. The young man glanced from
the now sleeping child to my face, and then
observed that he had beautiful eyes. I'll
say that for him, anyhow. He opened a
magazine and began to read by the waning
light, for night was beginning to herald its
approach by the gray streaks of twilight
while l busted myself counting the hours
which must elapse before morning would
dawn.
A whole night of sleeping car horrors be-
fore me. Oh, how intensely did regret
that journey. I was counting the hours.
then the minutes, before it would be morn.
ing-seven hundred and twenty. l shook
my head ruefully at the thought, when, just
then, with kick and dash, the child
awoke and, shades of Cupid what a yell
it set up.
The young man laid his magazine aside,
ard as he did so, / observed that he had
been holding it upside down.
8" Is the child SICK madam 2" he asked,
respectfully.
81 don't know" I blurted, despairingly
The baby, at that juncture, saw fit to
cease its screaming, and lay in my lap, its
great, grave eyes blinking into my own.
The young man started suddenly, and an
expression which l thought rather odd
flashed over his face.
How old is the child2" he questioned
81 don't know" replied.
He looked astonished. / determined to