The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-10-23
BLUE

train with IL tiny blue bundle in her
arms, holding it with q careful tender
ness which showed what an exceeding
ly precious little bundle it was.
1t was so mutiled up in its long blue
cloak that not a particle of it was Wis
ible, but who saw it knew that it
was a 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 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 p~erplexity, and
taking especial note OF the animated
bundle, that was the exact counter
part 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 We're evidently about
the same age, and attlred 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 theheads of their re-
spectiye treasures.
The little creatures laughed and
cooed at each other in their baby
fashion, while each mother. looked
smilingly on her own and then at the
other.
With this bond ofsympathy between
them the two began to converse, nat
urally entering upon the apparently
inexhaustible field of their maternal
cares and duties.
Mrs. Brown number one volunteered
the Information that shewas going on
a visit to her folks, who had never
seen baby" enlarging enthusiastical-
ly on the pleasure that "grandpa"
grandma it's "aunties,'' and I'm
- NSN'S S> tCI ShSC VII bStloiu-
ing thesweet little cherub.
In return Mrs. Brown number two
remarked the fact that she was Just
returning from IL visit to cher 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 imlprD-
vised on the opposite seat
Both time and ears sped swiftly, and
Mrs. Brown number one was insthc
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 on heplatform wait
ing for her.
As he helped her into the cutterhe
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
,o,,1,l Us l,,n nv ,,a,,, {hn al, ,t,,sr e ,>
upon which Bob had heaped fresh
fuel. ,
Then there was tine nice hot supper,
for which her long fast had given hera
keen appetite, and which was prolong
ed by the nmnberless questions that
had to be asked and answered.
In the meantime "baby" had beer
carried to grandma room'i--baby'
great grandma-to be duly admired
and commented on.
1t now made its appearance in the
armspf the old lady, surrounded b.
abevy of admiring aunts.
LA, child! l thought you wrote
twas Il boy2'
And 80 it is, grandma" said Mrs
Brownfrom whom "baby" washidder
bv the faces that surrounded.
.sPhmbe Jane! what ar you taalln
about?" exclaimed the indignant ole
lady. fDo you think that 1've raised
fourteen OF EN- an never lostone, ant
don't know aboy from a gal baby2'
Here the astonished mother caught
a glimpse of the little creature, who
clad in it's night-dress, YVES starin!
wonderingly around.
With a sudden screech stse spranet to
her feet,
MERCY on us! took the wrong
baby!" !.
Itwassometinleb before Mrs. Browns
excitement and agitation would ALLOW
her to give a coherent and intelligibl'
explanation Of these mysteriou:
words.
when she did, Bob was dispatched
at once to the depot.
The t: ain had gone ofcourse;neithel
was any expected from either way un
til morning. So all he coulddo waste
telegraph to the different stations be
yond. and to "baby's" father.
As might be expected, the poo
mother gas nearly frantic, and woult
have been quite SO had itnot been TO
the consolilg idea, SO earnestly dwea
upon by her s~ympathizing friends
"that the lady must have found on
the mistake ere this. and was robabl,