The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-02-20
That accomplished, she began to scream

That accomplished, she began to scream
again.
:" shall go mad !" cried Jack, rushing
up stairs and back again to the pantry.
Baby magnanimously condescended to be
quiet for minute or two, munched her
bread crust, and laid her little head on his
shoulder
&c If she would only sleep !" thought Jack
prayerfully 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 for an
instant, or attempted to change her position,
she yelled worse than ever. There was MOTH
ing for it but calm endurance.
For two mortal hours he walked and suf-
fered cramp in the neck, till at last mistress
baby succumbed to fatigue herself, and
slept like top.
Jack Willard dropped into II seat and
gently removed the chiid's head from his
shoulder, and held her carefully in his arms,
for he did not dare to risk the chance of
waking her by placing her in the carriage.
Then he heard the front door open, and
the next minute Mrs. Linton entered. A
glance told all, and likewise informed her
that Bridget had not yet returned.
"Oh, Mr.. Willard !" she exclaimed,
"what shame and how sorry am But
what sight you are :" And as she took the
sleeping baby and tenderly placed her in
the carriage, she was glad of the excuse to
turn away her laughing face.
But Jack Willard knew, all the same, that
she was laughing and no wonder As she
had said, he was sight, His delicate
new gloves were torn in dozen places /;
his coat and shirt-bosom were deluged with
milk and smeared with bread and butter !;
his collar was limp, his cravat united, aud
oils hair was standing on end
He was total wreck and he felt that he
would never again be his own man-nor
anybody elso's.
=" You see it is st. Patrick's day." explains
cd Mrs. Linton; and had forgotten that
although I was obliged to keep my en-.
gagement under any circunistances-and
just as | turned the corner to come home l
got blocked in by the procession. l was
wild with anxiety, and nearly fainting with
fatigue, but / never dreamed of what had
condemned you to, or else I would have
been in much worse state of mind Where
can Bridget be all this time ?"
Sure, maam, / got carried along wild
the procession" here spoke voice from,
the door, till thought I'd niver git home
agin at all, at ALL"
Mrs. Linton turned and sternly babe the
girl get to her work without further loss of
time but she could not reasonably rebuke
her for the same thing that had delayed
herself.
90, Mr.. Willard, I'm afraid you'll never
forgive me Inaeed, I'm 50 sorry" she
continued, addressing Jack.
40, pray, don't mention it. I've had a
most interesting time" said Jack, with a
dreary attempt at gayety. But you'll ex
c,lse me if | hurry away now. feel little
disheyeled, and must get home and--ah--
change my coat, you see." And picking up
bis glossy hat he crushed it on to his head.
and fed.
In time Jack and Mrs. Linton met again.
but the gentleman's ardor had cooled and
Mrs. Linton, who had not suspected his
matrimonial intentions, was never enlight-
ened for on no future occasion did Jack
even speak his little piece, so carefully re
hearsed on that disastrous " st. Patrick's
day in the morning"