Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-09-09
BLUE BUNDLES.

Mrs. Brown stepped on board the
train with a tiny blue bundle in her
arms, holding it with a careful tender
ness which showed what an exceed
ingly precious little bundle it was.
1t was so muflled up in its long blue
cloak that not a particle Of it was Wis
ible, 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 perceiving Mrs. Brown looking
around with an air of perpleXity, and
taking especial 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, 50 as to make room fOJ
her, a courtesy that Mrs. Brown num-
ber one smilingly acknowled ged as
she seated herself.
The two babies were evidently
about the same age, and attired 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-
spectiye treasures.
The little creatures laughed and
cooed at each other in their baby fash
ion, while each mother looked smil
ingly on her own, and then at each
other.
With this bond of sympathy he
tween them the two began to converse
naturally entering upon the apparent
ly ineXhaus'ive field of their maternal
cares and duties.
Mrs. Brown number one volunteered
the information that she was going or
a visit to her folks who had never
seen "baby," enlarging enthusiastical
ly on the pleasure that grandpa,
"grandma," its "aunties" and "Unclt
Bob would experience on beholding
the sweet little cherub.
In return Mrs. Brown number two
remarked the fact that she was just
returning from visit to cher folks,
and that she expected her husband t
meet her few stations beyond.
She dilated rapturously on hi!
again seeing "baby," from whom hi
had separated nearly three weeks
growing eloquent on the subject o
the marvellous changes and improve
ments which had taken place during
that time in that most remarkable
child.
In the meantime the baby fell asleep
and by the two ladies sitting togethe
couch for both was Impoverished OF
opposite seat.
Both time and cars sped swiftly
and Mrs. Brown number one was il
the midst of an interesting recital o
thetime that baby nearly died with tn
Group, when the conductor shouted
STERLING Centre i"
With an ejaculation of surprise sh
sprang to her feet, and taking up on
of the blue bundles, hurried out.
She found Bob on the platform
waiting for her.
As he helped her into the cutter h
offered to take "baby," but the air wa
keen and frosty, and Mrs. Brown pre-
ferred to keep it under her warn
cloak.
But when sho reached the house sh
surrendered the blue bundle to tn
happy and laughing group that gath
cred eagerly around her.
Chilled by her long ride, Mrs. Brow
was glad to draw near the blazing lir'
upon which Bob had heaped fresh fne
Then there was the nice hot supper
for which her long fast had given he
keen appetite, and which was pre-
longed by the numberless question
that had to be asked and answered.