The Washington critic., 1885-09-01
BLUE BUNDLES.

train with tiny blue bundle in her
arms, holding it with careful tender
ness which showed what an exceedingly
precious little bundle it was.
twas so mullled up in its long blue
cloak that not Il particle of it was
visible, but all who saw It knew that it
was baby, the baby Of all the world
TO the fond, maternal heart to which it
was held so closely.
The car was rather crowded, but
near the further end sat lady, who,
together with her baby and various
boxes and parcels, occupied two seats,
said seats being turned so that they
faced each other.
On percciving Mrs. Brown looking
around with an air of pcrplcNity, and
taking special note of the animated
bundle, that was the exact counterpart
of her own, this lady, whose name was
also Brown, moved the parcels on the
opposite seat, so as TO make room for
her, Il courtesy that Mrs. Brown num-
Der one smilingly acknowledged rs she
seated herself.
The two babies were evidently about
the same age and attircd in long clOaks
of the same color and texture.
For the purpose of challenging the
admiration of the other, and taking
mental notes, the two mothers care
fully uncovered the heads of their re
spective treasures.
The little creatures laughed and
coocd ut each other in their baby fash
ion, while each mother looked smil-
ingly on her own, and then ut each
other.
With this bond of sympathy between
them the two began to converse, nat
urally entering upon the apparently
ineXhaustivc field of their maternal
cares and duties.
Mrs. Brown number one volunteered
the information that she was going on
visit to her folks, who had never
seen baby" charging enthusiast
cally on the pleasure that grandpa
grandma, its "auntics" and "uncle
Bob" would experience on bcholding
the sweet little Chcrub
In return Mrs. Brown, number two,
remarked the fact that she was just re
turning from visit to cher folks, "
and that she expected her husband to
meet her few stations beyond.
She dilated upon his parental rap
lures at again seeing baby" from
whom he had been separated nearly
three weeks, growing eloquent on the
subject of the marvellous changes and
improvements which had taken place
during that time in that most remark
able child.
In the meantime the babies fell
asleep, and by the two ladies sitting
together couch for both was impro-
viscd on the opposite seat.
Both time and cars sped swiftly, and
Mrs. Brown, number one, was in the
midst of an interesting recital of the
time that baby nearly died with the
Group, when the conductor shouted
STERLING CcntreW
With an ejaculation of surprise she
sprang to her feet, and taking up one
of the blue bundles, hurried out
She found Bob on the platform wait
ing for her.
As he helped her into the cutter he
offered to take baby, but the air
was keen and frosty, and Mrs. Brown
preferred TO keep it under her warm
cloak.
But when she reached the house she
surrendered the blue bundle to the
happy and laughing group that gath
cred eagerly around her
Chilled by her long ride, Mrs. Brown
was glad to draw near the blazing. fire,
upon which Bob had heaped fresh
fuel.
Then there was nice hot supper,
for which her long fast had given her
Il keen appetite, and which was pro-
longed by the numberlcss questions
that had to be asked and answered.
In the meantime "baby" had been
carried to "grandma's room'-baby' $
great glandma-to be duly admired
and commented on.
1t now made its appearance in the
arms of the old lady, surrounded by II
bcvy Of admiring aunts,
LA, child | thought you wrote
| twas II boy"
"And so it is, grandma, said Mrs.
Brown from whom baby was hid
| den by the faces that surrounded.
"phebc Jane What air you talllin'
about?" exclaimed the indignant old
lady. "Do you think that I've raised
fourteen ON 'em and never lost one, and
don't know n boy from n GAL BABY
Here the astonishcd mother caught n
glimpse of the little creature who, clad
in his nightdrcsS, was staring wonder
ingly around.
With Il sudden scrccch she sprang to
| her feet.
Mercy ON Us l took the wrong
baby !"
TWAS some time before Mrs. Brown $
excitement and agitation would allow
her to give Il coherent and Ineligible
explanation of these mysterious words.
when she did, Bob was dispatched
at once to the depot,
The train had gone, of course; neither
was any expected from either way un-
i'll morning. So all he could do was
to telegraph to the different stations be-
You'd, and to "bNby's' father,
As might be expected, the poor
mother was nearly frantic, and would
have been quite so had it not been foI
the consolng idea, so earnestly dwell
upon by her sympathizing friends
chat the lady must have found out
the mistake ere this, and was probably
as anxious to get her baby back as she
was to get hers,
The early morning train brought
Mr.. Brown, if less agitated, quite q,
much distressed at heart rs his wife.
After hasty consultation, the tive
determined to take the baby and star
out in The same direction taken by Oh,
strange lady, hoping to find some cleN
to her name and whereabouts
When they reached the station Tho
train wanted some minutes of being
due.
Mrs Brown went into the Ladies'
Room" hut her husband remained
outside, walking restlessly up an,
down the platform.
AT the further end man was stand
ing talking to Il lady in a carriage
whose dress only was visible
As he regarded him more attcntiyely
hn sproDu forward