St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-11-06
" HANG THE BABY"
It Didn't Sound Nice From the
Lips of the Wife.

.Then you won't 60, Alice?"
No. Herbert-I am so sorry-but
the baby"
20, hang the baby" and Herbert
flung out of the room. slamming the
door behind him.
Alice stood looking 1T the door. grow
ing whittier and winter. Then she gave
a heart-breaking cry, and fell on her
knees by the cradle, and hiding her face
in her hands: sobbed bitterly.
She had looked forward SO long to
this particular party. Itwas given by
Mrs. Mountjoy, one of the leaders OF
society, and all that was eminent in
politics. diplomacy or literature, rs
well as distinguished in the fashionable
world, was sure to be there. She had
been kept at home so much since baby
had been born that she really felt the
need of a little variety and relaxation.
But baby had been threatened with
Group the week before, and the fond
mother had not yet recovered from her
fright. Baby, she admitted, was better,
-.but not fit" she declared, ito be left.
at least with only the nurse to look
after it. Nurses are SO careless. every
body had told her. even the best OF
them"
She had not asked Herbert to give it
up also, and even sand there was no
reason why he should stay at home;
but still i'm her heart of hearts she hoped
he would.
HE said, Hang the baby" yes. he
did. darling" she murmured. with in
dignant emphasis. aS she bent over the
little unconscious sleeper. 'lt was
your papa who said that. and he has
gone to a brilliant party with such
thoughts of his wife and child! Did
you come. dearest, to estrange US from
each other?''
This awful idea called for flood of
bitter tears.
Herbert had said such beautiful
things in her trusting girlhood. Never
shonld their lives run in separate chan
nels, rs those of some married people
of their acquaintance did-never JOY
be accepted that did not make them
one-never barrier should come be-
tween them.
And now to think that this wee babe,
with its golden curls. this beautiful lit
tie helpless creature, should part them.
as never strong hands could. She pic
tured the gay assemblage and her Her
bert dancing with young girls. smiling
on others and leaving her at home to
die of heart break Her imagination,
always too vivid. viewed him inhis tri-
umphs, until her misery took almost
the form of madness.
/. He didn't want me to CO." she said,
s.he acted as if he didn't. and then he
pretended to throw sill the blame on that
dear, helpless baby"'
Suddenly she heard the sound of car.
riage wheels outside; they stopped al
the door; the bell rang. and a fairy.
like figure stood on the threshold O1
the room. in all the wistfulness of eN.
pectancy, with dimpling smiles and
laughing eyes.
20, Mabel"' cried Alice, starting te
her feet with glad cry. This is, in
deed, surprise. I'm 50 glad YOU
come. My darling sister,
Forthwith ensued a scene OF raptur
Gus welcome. Then the baby was ex
hibited, and one would not have
dreamed that tear had ever stained
the cheek of the proud mother. Then
the visitors trunks were ordered to bt
carried up stairs.
s.But where's Herbert? In tn,
study?" at last Mabel asked.
'He's-out. dear"
Good. don't be angry because Tn
glad. for we can have such nice LITTLE
chat. You didn't expect me-"
.'Of course didn't"
well. l didn't think of coming. a
you know. for month. But though
1t would be so nice to surprise you"
80. I'm SO gladt'
And then Paul is coming" she said
blushing. next week, to stay a month
he has business here. and he wante,
ME SO badly to be here too. ldcclare.
she said. laughing. "rll have to MARI,
him soon. to get rid of him.
ID, Mabel, don't marry him unles
you are certain you'll be happy" erie
Alice. Historically. BE sure first h
won't go to parties. and leave yo
alone-with the BABY" she sobbed
What. is Herbert at a party?
queried Mabel quite subdued.
..Yes. he is; and when told him
could not 60 on account of baby he sait
.hang the ba-byr Yes; YOU littl
angel your own father said those awft
words-and then he sl-slammed tn
door"
Hes viper" exclaimed Mabe
with sudden vehemence. "A nice va
to treat wife like you-a baby lib
that. But why couldn't you leave tt
baby9"
because he was threatened with ii
Group last week"
But he's well enough now-slecl
deliciously. He'll not wake up all ii
night, perhaps. And the nurse wou
have taken good care of him."
II should have been thinking of fir
Group and all that"
.aj, nonsense! You ought to ha'
gone. But Herbert has no right to b
have as he did. and he must be pu
ished," and Mabel threw her wraps
the bed and took her seat by the glo'
ing fire 1T wcn't do to let him E