River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-03-18
BLUE BUNDLES.


Mrs. Brown stepped on board the
train with tiny blue bundle in her
arms. holding it with careful tender
ness which showed what an exceed
ingly precious little bundle it was
1t was So muilied up in its long blue
cloak that not 4 particle Of it was wish
BILE. but all who saw it knew that it
was baby, the baby Of al the world
to the fond, maternal hear to which il
was 50 closely held
The car was rather crowded, but
near the further end sat :. lady, who,
together with her BAH and various
boxes and parcels, occupied two seat,
said seats being turned so they faced
each other.
On perceiving Mrs. Brown looking
around with an air of perplexity, and
taking especial note of the animated
/ bundle that was the exact counterpart
/ of her own. this lady, whose name was
( also Brown, moved the parcels on the
opposite seat, 30 as TO make room for
her, a courtesy that Mrs. Brown No
/ smilingly acknowledged as she seated
! herself
The two babies were alidently about
/ the same age, and attired in 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 the heads of their
respective treasures.
The little creatures laughed and
cooed at each other in their baby
! fashion, while each mother looked
smilng!y at her owl and then at each
other.
With this bond of sympathy between
/ them the two began to converse, Batu-
rally entering upon the apparently in
exhaustive field of their maternal cares
and duties.
| Mrs. Brown M volunteered the in
/ formation that she was going on a
visit 10 her folks, who had never seen
baby" charging enthusiastically on
the pleasure grandpa" ifs 'aunties
and Uncle Bob would experience on
beholdine she sweet little chCrub.
In return Mrs Brown No. : re-
marked the fact that she was Just re-
. turning from 4 visit 80 cher folks,
and that she expected her husband to
meet her a few stations beyond.
She dilated upon his patornal rap
lures at again seeing baby from
which he had been separated nearly
three weeks, growing eloquent on the
subject of the marvellous changes and
improvements that had taken place
during that time in that most remark
able child.
In the meantime the baby fell asleep
and b. the two ladies sitting together
q couch for both was improvised on
the opposite seat
Both time and cars sped swiftly, and
Mrs. Brown No. / 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
sprang to her feet, and taking up one
of the blue bundles, hurried out.
She found Bob on the platform wait
ing for her.
As he helped iuto the cutter he offered
to take baby but the air was keen
and frosty, and Mrs. Brown preferred
TO keep it under the warm cloak.
But when they 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 beaming
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 pro
lOnged by the numberiess questions
that had to be asked and answered
IN the meatime, baby had been
carried to grandma room - baby's
great-grandma-to be duly admired
and commented on.
1t now made its appearance in the
arms of the old lady, surrounded by
bevv Of admiring aUnts.
La, child! / thought you wrote
twas a boy?"
"And 50 it is grandma. said Mrs.
Brown, from whom baby was
hidden by the faces that surrounded
"Phebe Janet what air YOU talkin
about?" exclaimed the indignant old
lady. do you think that I've raised
fourteen of 'em and never lost one,
and don't know boy from a gal
baby?"
Here the astonished mother caught
a glimpse of the little creature who,
clad n night-dress. was staring
wonderingly around.
With q sudden Screech she sprang to
her feet.
Mercy On me! ! took the wrong
baby
Ii was some time before Mrs
Browns excitement and agitation
would allow her to give coherent and
intell cent explanation Of these
mysterious words.
When she did Bob was dispatched at
once to the depot.
The train was gone. Of course; I
neither was any expected from either
way until morning. So all he could 4
10 was to telegraph to the different /.
stations beyond, and to "baby
father
As might be expected. the poor /
mother was nearly frantic, and would /
have been quite so had it not been for 4
the consoling idea, so earnestly dwelt /
upon by her sympathizing friends. /
that the lady must have found out /
the mistake ere this. and was probably /
a. anxious 70 get her baby back as she /
was to get hers.
The early morning train brought 4
Mr. Brown, if less agitated, quite as
much distressed at heart as his vile.
After a hasty consultation the two +
determined to 4 K the baby and start 1
out in the same direction taken by 4
the strange lady, hoping to find some /
elew to her name aud whereabouts.
When they reached the station the /