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

Ii was so muiifed up III It's lOng Diue
cloak that not a particle OF it was WIS.,
nile. but who saw it knew that it
was a baby, the baby Of all the world
IN the fond maternal heart to which
il was held 80 closely.
The car was rather crowded, but
near the farther end sat a 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, ard
taking especial note Of the animated
81 bundle. that was the exact counter
81 part OF her own, this lady, whose
Ri name was also Brown, moved thepar-
N GELS on the opposite seat, so as to
N 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
"a rloaks of the same color and texture.
n For the purpose OF challenging the
III admiration OF the other and taking
mental notes. the two mothers care
fully uncovered the heads OF their re-
s~pective treasures.
# The little creatures laughed and
cOOpd at each other in their baby
81 fashion, while each mother looked
smilingly on her own and then at the
n other.
With this bond oisympathy between
n them the two began TO converse, nat
n uralIv entering upon the apparently
m iDeyhauStible field of their maternal
cares and duties.
Mrs. Brown number one volunteered
the information that she vas going on
u a visit to her folks, who had never
n seen baby enlarging enthuslastlcal-
n ly on the pleasure that grandpa"
n grandma its "aunties, and Tn
Gle Bob" would experience on behold
ing thesweet little cherub.
81 In return Mrs. Brown number two
remarked the fact that she was Just
returning from a visit to her folks, y
and that she expected TO meet her
IA husband few stations beyond.
n She dilated upon hls paternal rap
lures at again seeing ''baby," from
a whom he had been separated nearly
three weeks, growing eloquent on the
II 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-
yised on the opposite seat.
Both time and cars sped swiftly, and
Mrs. Brown number one vas in the
midst OF an interesting recital of the
time that baby nearly died with the
n 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 onthe platform wait
ing for her.
As he helped her into the cutterh 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 the nice hot supper,
for which her long fast had given her a
keen appetite, and which was prolong,
ed by the numberless questions that
had to be asked and answered.
In the meantime "baby" had been
carried to grandma
great grandma-to be duly admired
n commented on.
1t now made its appearance in the
arms OF the old lady, surrounded by
n bevy OF admiring aunts.
La, childl | thought you wrote
twas a boy?"
And so it is, grandma" said Mrs,
~Brownfrom whom "baby" was hidden
by the faces that surrounded.
Phoebe Jane! what air you talkin
about?" exclaimed the indignant old
lady. "Do o think that I've raised
fourteen of EN- an never lost one, and
don't know q boy from a gal baby?
Hero the astonished mother caught
a glimpse of the little creature, who
clad in it's night-dress, was staring
wonderingly around.
With a sudden screech she sprangtc
her feet.
Mercy on usl / took the wrons
baby"
1t was sometime before Mrs. Browns
excitement and agitation would allow
her to give u coherent and inteillgiblt
explanation OF these mysterious
words.
When she did, Bob was dispatched
at once to the depot.
The Il ain had gone OF course;neithei
was any expected from either way un
TIL morning. So all he coulddo was &c
telegraph to the different stations be
You'd, and to "baby's" father.
As might be expected, the pool
mother was nearly frantic, and would
have been quite so had il not been fol
the consoling idea, so earnestly dwell
upon by her sympathizing friends
that the lady must have found out
the mistake erethis, and was probably
as anxious to get her baby back a:
she was to get hers"
The early morning train brought
Mr.. Brown, if less agitated, quite as
much distressed at heart as his wife.
After a hasty consultation the two
determined to take the baby and start
out in the same direction taken byth'
strange lady, hoping TO find som'
clew to her name ard whereabouts.
When they reached the station tn
train wanted some minutes oil benz
due.
Mrs. Brown went into the ''ladies
ROOM" but her husband renamed
outside, walking restlessly up ans
down The platform.
AT the farther end a man was stand