The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-03-20

sorbing subject was started, all other
of conversation would be newt
ably banished for the time being. II also
have something to tell you. l net Chal-
mers to-day; he is staying here for a few
days with his cousin, so | asked him to
come and dine with us some time next
week, and 1 think we might invite one
or two people to meet him. Now, on
what day do you think we had better
ask him, and who else shall we have2"
81 will think about it in a minute"
answered his little wife, eagerly, "buc l
must tell you my news first. Fancy
Baby is getting a tooth, and he is only
just four months old"
"That's capital, said Jack, in a voice
intended to express unlimited delight.
''There is no doubt that the little fellow
is very well on for his age. l should
think now he will be trotting about all
over the place before we know where we
are"
az don't think I should feel l was do
ing my duty by him If | allowed him to
do such a thing, even if he could" re-
piled his wife severely. II don't know
if you are particularly anxious to see
your child grow up dy-legged. l
can't say l am"
"Ah, yes, l forgot he is rather weak
in the legs at present" remarked Jack, in
q crestfallcn voice. "But, May" he
continued. more cheerfully, feeling he
had done his duty bravely, and nothing
more could be expected from him for the
present, "what about having Chal-
mersl'
"Let me see" said May, thoughtfully.
Then, appealing to the baby, "what does
'ou think. my pretty2 Agoo-and-agoo-
and a bubble-bubble-"
Come" said Jack, a little impatient
ly, ''try to manage something, as Chal-
mers is only here for a few days, and l
want you to write to him tonight"
''NIust we t'ink, my sweet2" continued
May, apparently oblivious of everything
but the existence of her son, and only
half hearing her husbands last remark.
"NIust we t'ink, my beauty Well, then,
agoo-and -and-a bub-"
"For heavens sake, try for one mo-
ment to attend to what | am saying!'
said Jack, sharply. 81 won't trouble
you long, and then you will be at liberty
TO return to YOU very intellectual con-
versatlon with the child"
This time May quite took in what her
husband said but, being annoyed at the
way he had spoken, she detcrminedly
took no notice of his request, and staring
absently into the fire, went on talking to
her baby:
"Ies, my own own, does your pretty
papa want"
"Confound it,, exclaimed poor tired
Jack, angrily, ." do you want to drive
me mad with your n%onsense2 | have
never yet been considered pretty, nor
have | any wish to be called SO at this
time of my life. Can't you find a more
suitable adjective to apply to me than
that2'
"Indeed 1 cam" returned May, losing
her temper in her turn; %''cross, ill
tempered, rude, unnatural, cruel, are all
words which may be applied to you in
your present state Of mind"
"Well, | am sure | am not surprised, y
retorted Jack, "the only wonder is, !
don't 90 off my head with hearing the
flow of absurd nonsense that seems to
me to go on, morning, noon and night
"If you call talkingto ones own child,
absurd nonsense, | don't" said Maggie,
with a great assumption of maternal
dignity.
must say it never struck me that
YOU intended to talk; | thought it was
merely babbling, but of course that may
be my ignorance. Perhaps you will be
kind enough to enlighten me as to the
meaning of that much used word-agoo.'
81 shall do no such thing, for | car
see YOU are sneering both at me and my
child. | must say for a man who sets NJ
to be a gentleman, it is an extremely Gu.
rious way of behaving. 1 confess
should never have thought you capable
of speaking to me in the way you have
For goodness sake, don't preach;
am much too tired 10 listen"
every well, then, if my conversation
bores you, | most certainly won't remain
here any longer" saying which, Ma!
walked out of the room, looking verl
injured, and kissing her son as she went
murmuring tendcrly, 'at any rate you
mother loves you, my darling"
In spite, however, of the satisfaction
of having enjoyed the last word, as sh'
carried baby to the nursery, May felt
very queer feeling in her throat, anC
seemed to have developed Il cold in the
hcdu III u lcllil Manly suotI space U
time.
Having left baby in nurses charge
and, much to that worthy woman's as
constituent, having parted from hin
without any of those little endearment
she was wont to use to him belor
doing so, she proceeded straight to he
room.
"Well, l never did, exclaimed nurse
using that phrase which says SO little
but is intended to convey so much"
never did! To think she should leav,
her first born without so much as Il part
ing blessing! Never mind, my sweety
if your mother forsakes you, your ole
nurse never will. No, thank 'Eaven.
tries to do my dooty by you, my hangel
and nought shall tempt my soul to g
astray!"
And then, having delivered herself o
these lofty and truly elevating senti
ments, appropos of nothing in particu
lar, she proceeded to undress and bath,
the infant, feeling in that virtuous frame
of mud we all enjoy when we have beer
SAYING anything very righteous and moral
. Ntrbnfay~ar. an agtc rrat- to