Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1885-10-22
BLUE BUNDLES.

1,ak thct not a particle of it was Wis
81, hut who saw it knew that it
baby, the baby of all the world
- the fond maternal heart to which
1 vas held So closely.
The ear was rather crowded, but
,esr the farther end sat a lady, who
together with her baby and various
hoxes 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 p~erplexity, and
taking especial note of the animated
huudle, that was the exact counter
mart of her own, this lady, whose
name was also Brown, moved the par
GELS on the opposite seat, so as to
make room for her, a courtesy that
Mrs. Brown number one smilingly ac-
knowledged as she seated herself.
The two babies were evidently about
the same age, and attired in long
doaks of the same color and texture.
For the purpose oil challenging the
admiration OF the other and taking
mental notes, the two mothers care
tully uncovered the heads of their re.
Spective treasures.
The little creatures laughed and
eoopd at each other in their baby
fashion, while each mother looked
smilingIy on her own and then at the
other.
With this bond ofsympathy between
them the two began 70 converse, nat.
urally entering upon the apparently
in~exhaustible field of their maternal
cares and duties.
Mrs. Brown number one volunteered
the information that she was going on
a visit to her folks, who had never
seen "baby, enlarging enthusiastiCal-
" on the pleasure that grandpa"
grandma" it's "aunties, and I'm
Gle Bob" would experience on behold
ing thesweet little cherub.
In return Mrs. Brown number two
: remarked the fact hat she was just
: returning from a visit to "her folks"
and that she expected to meet her
husband a few stations beyond.
She dilated upon his paternal 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
in that most remarkable child.
In the meantime the babies fell
asleep, and by the two ladies sitting
together a couch for both was impro-
ylsed on the opposite seat.
Both time and ears 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 Center"
With an ejaculation of surprise she
sprong to her feet, and taking up one
OF the blue bundles, hurried out.
She found Bob platform wait
ing Ter her.
As he helped her into the cutterhe
offered TO take baby" but the air
was Remand 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 blazingfire,
upon which Bob had heaped fresh
fuel.
Then there was the nice hot supper,
Tor which her long fast had given hera
Keen appetite, and which was prolong-
ed by the numberless questions that
mad to be asked and answered.
In the meantime baby had been
carried to grandma sroom"-baby'
great grandma-to be duly admired
and commented on.
IL now made its appearance in the
arms Of the old lady, surrounded by
Deyy OF admiring aunts.
La, child! / thought you wrote
twas a boy?"
And so it is, grandma" said Mrs.
browntrom whom baby was hidden
Dy the faces that surrounded.
Phoebe Jane! what AIR you talkin'
ABOUT" exclaimed the indignant old
lady. "Do you think that I've raised
fourteen of EN- an never lost one, and
uont know a boy from a gal baby?"
nero the astonished mother caught
q glimpse OF the little creature, who,
ciad IN ITS night-dress, was staring
Wonderingly around.
with a sudden screech she sprangto
her feet.
baby!"
twas sometime before Mrs. Browns
excitement and agitation would allow
nef 70 give a coherent and ineligible
words.
when she did, Bob was dispatched
., once tothe depot.
ihe Il ain had gone oil course;neither
was any expected from either way I'M
w morning. SO all he coulddo waste
selegraph to the different stations be-
'onu, and TO "baby's" father.
might be expected, the poor
niother was nearly frantic. and would
nave been quite so had tnot been for
ane e~onsoling idea, so earnestly dwelt
"spoh by her sympathizing friends,
ushae the lady must have found out
= mistake erethis, and was probably
~ anxious to get her baby back as
spg was to get hers"
nihe early morning train brought
mr' brown, if less agitated, quite as
NUN distressed at heart as his wife.
alter a hasty consultation the two
os.ermined 80 take the baby and start
~. IN the same direction taken blythe
range lady, hoping TO find some
NV 70 her name and whereabouts.
,"hch they reached the station the
ddam wanted some minutes oil being
~ Brown went into the 1ladies'
oDe bat her husband renamed
dasssue, walking r~estlcssly up and
oown the platform.
- Shafiarther end d maa was stand