The Baltimore County union., 1884-05-03


ried; and one day he met his fate
it was on Sunday, and she sat in front
of him, with her face intently fixed on
the minister, but in such a position
that Jack had a view of charming
profile, and during the greater part of
the service he couldn't keep his eyes off
it.
The lady was dressed in black; she
had sweet, pale, lovely face, and her
name was Mrs. Esther Linton, a young
widow, with one child, baby not yet
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 dawned on his enraptured gaze;
and facts he had thus elected 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 enslaver only served to rivit
his rosy chains. He called almost
every day, on one pretext or another,
till at length he began to hope that
Mrs. Linton really cared for him, and
although naturally a very bashful and
timid man, he was rapidly getting
his courage up to the point of making
proposal. One morning he wakedup
in a livelier and more courageous
frame of mind than usual, and he de-
termined to speak the momentous words
that day. He mentally rehearsed the
form in which he should do it, while
he dressed, and at about eleven O'Clock
issued forth-a gorgeous being, all pre-
pared 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 go out; but she
received him with evident pleasure.
"Come right into the parlor, Mr..
Willard" she said. 81 am so glad to
see you-for l know you will mind baby
for me See-I have her in her little
carriage in the parlor, and I won't keep
you ten minutes. Bridget has gone
out, but she must be backin ten minutes
or so; and anyway l won't be gone
more than half an hour, at furthest, my
self. l have business engagement of
the greatest importance, but it is only
at the end of the street. Will you be
so kind? l know it's a great favor,
and there isn't another gentleman in
the world of whom l would ask il"
What could Jack Willard say? Had
he not come there to beg the privi-
lege of becoming the baby's second
father, and could he reasonably refuse
to do fathers duty for miserable
ten minuteS?-and he accepted the
charge bravely, and declared that moth
ing in the world could give him SO much
pleasure as to take charge of the baby
for week at time, if necessary.
Mrs. Linton thanked him sweetly, and
fastened away. Jack went to the win
dow-baby being asleep-spent the
first half of the ten minutes IN watch
ing Mrs. Linton's graceful figure as it
disappeared down the street. At the end
of that time he was suddenly reused
from that pleasing contemplation by
shrill scream.
Jack fastened to soothe the baby, but
no sooner did she catch sight of strang-
er and masculine face than she set forth
yells of dismay.
"Hush, pretty baby, hush - said
Jack, plaintively, and wheeled the car
riage to and fro over the carpeted floor.
But the more he wheeled it the louder
baby screamed, all the while endeayor-
ing to get out of it, to fling herself over
the wheels, and, in every possible way,
to imperil her precious life. In des-
pair the new nurse unstrapped the car
riage, and took her out; but at that
time she screamed louder than ever.
lack Willard glared and made faces
tried to sing, and succeed 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
rummaged about till 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,
deluged his shirt bosom and best coat
with sweetened milk and, by and by,
having accepted buttered crust of
bread she completed the ruin she had
made by rubbing him with grease and
bread crumbs. That accomplished, she
began to scream again.
"I shall go mad !" cried Jack, rush.
ing up stairs and back again to the
pantry.
Baby magnanimously condescended to
be quite for minute or two, munching
her bread crush, and laid her little
head on his shoulder.
eff she would only sleep!" thought
Jack prayerfully; and 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 her
| self. III ne stopped lOI dn Instant, VI dI-
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 her
self, and sleep like top.
Jack Willard dropped in seat and
gently removed the child'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 enter.
ed. A glance told all, and likewise in
formed her that Bridget had not yet re-
turned.
"Oh, Mr.. Willardl" she exclaimed
"what shame! and how sorry l am
But what a sight you are!" And as
she took the sleeping baby and tenderly
| nlaced her in the carriage. she wa