The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-04-09
NIPPED IN THE BUD.


ed on the minister, but in such posi-
ton that Jack had view of n charming
profile, and during greater part OF
the service he could not keep his eyes
off il.
The lady was dressed in black; she
had sweet, pale lovely face, and her
name was Mrs. Esther Linton, young
widow. with one child, baby not q
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-
raptured gaze AMI the facts he had
thus elected had only strengthened his
sudden passion.
In due course of time, Jack succeed
ed in Obtaining an introduction 10 Ms.
Linton, and personal acquaintance with
his enslayer only served to riyet his
rosy chains. He called almost every
day on one preicxt or another, till at
length he began to hope that Mrs. Lin
ton really cared for him; and although
naturally very bashful and retiring
man. he was rapidly getting his cour-
age up to the point OF making propo-
sal. One morning he woke up in a
livelier and more courageous frame Of
mind than usual. and ne determined 10
speak the momentous words that day.
He mentally rchcarsed 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.
H 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 go out; but she re-
ceived him with evident pleasure
Pray come in. Mr., Willard, " she
said. Il am so glad TO see You, for |
know YOU will mind baby for me. See!
Ihaye her in her little carriage in the
dining room, and | won't keep YOU ten
minutes. Nv servant has gone out,
but will be back IN ten minutes or so;
and. anyway. won't be gone more
than half al hour al furtherest myself.
have business engagement of the
greatest Importance, but it is ony at
the end of the street. viii you be so
very kind? | know its a great favor,
and there is not another gentleman in
the world of whom / would ask ii"
What could Jack Willard say? Had
he not come here to beg the privilege
of becoming babys second father, and
could he reasonably refuse to do IA
theirs duty for miserable ten minutesP
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 a
time, if necessary.
Mrs Linton thanked him sweetly,
and fastened away. Jack went to the
window, and-babv being asleep
spent the first half Of the ten minutes
in watching Mrs Lintons 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 a shrill scream.
Jack hastened to soothc the baby,
but no sooner did she catch sight of
strange and masculine face than she
sent forth yells of dismay.
Hush, pretty baby. hush," said
Jack, plaintively, 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-
deavoring to get out of it, to fling her.
self over the wheels, and, in every pos
sible way, to imperl 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 glared and made faces,
tried to sing and succeeded in below
ing; tried to 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 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.
81 shall 90 madH' cried Jack, rush
ing up stairs and back again to the
pantry.
Baby magnanimously condescended
to be quiet for a minute or two, MUNICH
ing her breadcrust, and laid her head
on his shoulder.
IF she would only sleep!' thought
Jack, prayeriully; and he began to
walk softly to and fro. Baby didn't
sleep, but she was quiet as long as he
walked about, without stirring her from
the position in which she had placed
herself. If he stopped an instant or at
tempted to change her position, she
yelled worse than ever. There was
nothing for it but calm endurance.
For two mortal hours he walked and
suffered cramp in the neck, till at last
Mistress baby succumbed to fatigue
herself, and slept like top
Jack Willard dropped into n seat and
gently removed the childs head from
his shoulder and held her carefully in
1 l. l. a L