Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-17
NIPPED IN THE BUD.

NIPPED IN THE BUD.
Jack Willard was Il well to do young
bachelor, who had been telling himself
for some years past that it was time to
get married; and one day he met his
fate-it was on Sunday, and she sat in
front of him, with her face intentlY fix
cd on the minister, but in such posi-
ton that Jack had view of a charming
profile, and during greater part of
the service he could not keep his eyes
off it.
The lady was dressed in black; she
had q sweet, pale, lovely face, and her
name was Mrs. Esther Linton, young
widow, with one child, q baby not a
year old.
Her name and her sad story Jack had
managed to ferret out among his
friends before the close of the day on
which she had first dawned on his en-
rapiurcd gaze; and the facts he had
thus elected had only strengthened his
sudden passion.
In due course Of time, Jack succeed
ed in obtaining an introduction to Mrs
Linton, and personal acquaintance with
his cnslaver only served to livet his
rosy chains He called almost every
day on one pretoxt or another, till ut
length he began to hope that Mrs. Lin
ton really cared for him; and although
naturally 4 very bashful and retiring
man, he WAS rapidly getting his cour-
age up 10 The point of making prOpO-
sal. One morning he woke up in a
liyelier and more courageous frame of
mind than usual, and ne determined TO
speak the mOmentous words that day.
He mentally rehearsed the form in
which he should do it, while he dress
ed; and at about eleven o'clock issued
forth--a gorgeous being, all prepared
to speak his little piece.
He reached the fair widows, and
rang the bell; when to his surprise and
delight the door was opened by Mrs.
Linton herself. Then he noticed that
the lady had her bonnet on, and SEEM
ed to be all ready to 90 out; but she re-
ceiyed him with evident pleasure
pray come in, Mr.. Willard" she
said i am so glad to see you, for [
know YOU will mind baby for me! See!
[ have her in her little carriage in the
dining room, and | won't keep YOU ten
minutes. My servant hes gone out,
but viii be back II tea minutes or so;
and, ANYWAY, ! won't be gone more
than half IN hour ut furtherest myself
L have :. business engagement of the
greatest Importance, buti9 is only at
the end of the street. VIII you be so
very kind? know its great favor,
and there is not another gentleman in
the world of whom | would ask it.
What could Jack Willard say? Had
hp Of =
of becoming baby's second father, and
could he reasonably refuse to do IA
Tiers duty for miserable ten minutes?
So he accepted the charge bravely, and
declared that nothing in the world
could give him so much pleasure as to
take charge of baby for week at
time, ii necessary.
Mrs. Linton thanked him sweetly,
and fastened away. Jack went to the
window, and-baby being asleep
spent the first half of the ten minutes
in watching Mrs. Unions graceful fig
ure as it disappeared down the street.
At the end of that time he was sud-
denly reused from that pleasing con-
temptation by " shrill scream.
Jack hastened to soothe the baby,
but no sooner did she catch sight of
strange and masculine face than she
sent forth yeIls OF dismay.
Hush. pretty baby, hush," said
Jack, plaintive!y, and wheeled the car
rage TO and fro over the carpeted floor.
But the more he wheeled it, the louder
the baby screamed, all the while en-
deayor.ng to get out of It, to fling her
self over the wheels. and, in every pos
sible way, 10 imperil her precious life.
In despair the new nurse unstrapped
the carriage and took her out; but at
that she screamed louder than ever.
Jack Willard 9lared and made faces,
tried TO sing and succeeded in below
ing; tried 10 whistle, and nearly put
the infant into fits.
An inspiration occurred to him, and
he started off in search of the kitchen,
which he found down stairs after near
ly falling into the cellar. Then he rum
mayed around until he found milk and
Sugar;and with much pride in his own
rapidly developing domestic ability, he
mixed drink for the baby. But she
instantly struck the cup from his hand,
deluging his shirt bosom and best coat
with the sweetened milk; and by and
by, having accepted q buttered crust,
she completed the ruin she had made
by rubbing him over with grease and
crumbs. That accomplished, she be-
gan to scream again.
Il shall go madr' cried Jack, rush
ing up stairs and back again to the
pantry.
Baby magnanimously condescended
to be quiet for a minute or two, MUNICH
inc her breadcrust, and laid her head
IN hiS chouldar