The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-04-24
NIPPED IN THE BUD.

NIPPED IN THE BUD.
Jack Willard was 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
ed on the minister, but in such posi-
ton that Jack had a view of 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 a sweet, pale, lovely face, and her
name was Mrs. Esther Linton, a 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; 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 enslaver only served to rivet his
rosy chains He called almost every
day on one pretext 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 a propo-
sal. One morning he woke up in a
livelier and more courageous frame of
mind than usual, and ne determined to
speak the momentous words that day.
He mentally rehcarsed 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 60 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!
have her in her little carriage in the
dining room, and l won't keep you ten
minutes. My servant has gone out.
but will be back in ten minutes or so;
and, anyway, l won't be gone more
than half an hour at furtherest myself.
! have business engagement of the
greatest Importance, but it is only at
the end of the street. Will you be so
very kind? / know its a great favor,
and there is not another gentleman in
the world of whom would ask it. :"
What could Jack Willard say? Had
he not come here to Deg the privilege
of becoming baby's second father, and
could he reasonably refuse to do ia
theirs 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 d
time. if necessary.
Mrs. Linton thanked him sweetly,
and hastened away. Jack went to the
window, and-baby being asleep
spent the first half of the ten minutes
in watching Mrs. Linton's 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 a
strange and masculine face than she
sent 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
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 imperil her precious life.
In despair the new nurse unstrappeo
| the carriage and took her out; but a
| 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 pu
the infant into fits.
An inspiration occurred to him, an6
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 anC
| sugar;and with much pride in his owl
rapidly developing domestic ability, h
mixed drink for the baby. But sht
instantly struck the cup from his hand
deluging his shirt bosom and best Goa
with the sweetened milk; and by ant
by, having accepted a buttered crust
she completed the ruin she had mad'
by rubbing him over with grease ant
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 condescendet
to be quiet for minute or two, MUNICH
inc her breadcrust, and laid her heat
on his shoulder. ....
IF she would only sleep!" though
Jack. prayerfully; and he began t
walk softly to and fro. Baby didn'
sleep, but she was quiet as long as h
walked about, without stirring her from
the position in which she had place.
herself If he stopped an instant or at
tempted to change her position, sh
yelled worse than ever. There wa
nothing for it but calm endurance.
For two mortal hours he walked AM
suffered cramp in the neck, till ut las
Mistress baby succumbed to talgu
herself, and slept like top.
Jack Willard dropped into seat AM
gently removed the child's head iron
his shoulder, and held her carefully Il
his arms, for he did not dare TO risk tn
chance of waking her by placing her il
the carriage.
Then he heard the front door open
and the next minute Mrs. Linton on
tered. A glance told all, and ikewis
informed her that Bridget had not ye
returned.
/ .4Oh, Mr.. Willardm she exclaimed