Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-10-15
For the SHENANDOAH HERALD.
THE BABY SHOW.
BY HRZEKIAH JENKINS.

appearance OF our darling, Jerusha' Nno
asked me whether did not think that Je-
rusha would be sure TO get the premium.
/ replied that did not know, for sup
posed there would be great many fine
babies on exhibition and probably some
of them would be better looking than Je-
rusha. When my eyes met those of Marian,
sufinsed with tears, aud l saw upon hor
oountenance a mingled expression of NOR
tification, scorn, pity and contempt, was
really sorry that had expressed myeeli
10 doubtfully, and to her look Of inquiry
| replied But there is nodanger Of any
being prettier than our darling, Jernsha.'
Hubby she replied, 81 really wonder
ed whether you were in earnest.
With Marian 1t was not only settled
conviction. but certainty, that Jernsha
would get Mrs. Williams beautiful AZ
CHAN.
Now The work Of preparation began, and
tbouph Jerusha had the bOst dresses we
could find, Marian commenced wardrobe
almost as extensive az that of an expect
ant bride. For weeks Marian was loving
" pouring into my ears a list of necessary
articles which was requested to bring
home with me. Among them were sat'ns'
white, pink and blue, cashmeres embroid-
ing silks, ruches, laccs, slippers, hose, nan
socks. India mulls, plaid muslins, lace caps
and. in fact, almost every article known IN
first-class baby store.
On one occasion, was busily engaged
in nv Office, when the telephone gave
violent ring. sprang to it, and REPLIED
"Well,7 when recognized MarlarS voice.
"IIubby. come quick" | left my desk at
once and hastoned home, not knowing
whether Jerusha had been scalded OF had
fallen into the cistern, or some other dire
full calamity had befallen the jenkins
household. cleared the steps at bound,
rushed into the parlor, and there found
Jerusha dressed in her finest, while Mariar
was looking steadily at her, and coolly in
ouired whether thought London smoke
or sky and rose bow would suit Jerusha's
dress best. replied al think it would, "
when Marian said 81 believe the sky ana
rose would suit her complexion" agreed
with Marian, kissed her goodbye and hast
ened back to attend to business.
The nearer the time approached the
more nervous was Marian, and so frequent
were the calls, that half the people thought
I WAS practising for the foot race.
The week before the Fair, Marian INSIST
ed that should order new baby car
rage for she knew Mrs. W. would feel
badly if we would spread the beautiful
Afghan on our old carriage. or course,
the carriage came promptly, for always
do what Marian says ! must.
The important day arrived, and Mariar
was MP by daylight impatiently waiting
for .Jerusha to get aw axe. She said that
il would not do to arouse her for she want
ed her TO wear her sweetest expression
that day.
The dressing process can be more easily
imagined than described, and was really
Glad when il was over and Marian ana
had reached the exhibition building and
the babies were trotted ont.
Marian was pleased with the Afghan
and said il looked a. If it had been made
expressly for our new baby carriage.
. tha thirty anil
ing. laughing, ,qualling babies. pointed
ont one TO Marian and remarked, There
n pretty BABY "Yes,' replied hanar'
ff it wasn't sqmnt-eyed." ! continued
to call her attention to those that
thought might be formidable competitors
NJ our dear Jerusha, but as fast as ] mon
toned them, Marian pointed ont the de-
fects. One was cross-eyed, another had
crooked legs another lacked expression
some had big mouths, while Others were
distanced by their big noses. In iao'
after Mariar had expressed her OPINION
concluded that Shenandoah could prodnoe
more big.mouthed. cross-eyed' bow-leggeni
club. footed babies than any county IN the
State.
Marian was now absolutely certain and
impatisntly waited the decision oil 'h'
;udges. When il was announced that tho
nremium belonged to No. 80 ana ou'
babys tag bore another number Maria'
| turned pale, and at once saw that sh'
! was too full for utterance. lei her u
the door and asked where she wanted u
90. "Home,7 was her monosyllabic reply
Marian had nothing to say. and wheh w
reached home saw that she wanted u
! commune with herself and our daring
,Jerusha. left them alone and became =
interested in the races that did not reaci
home till late in the evening Mara
looked as # she had had spell OF sickness
and was quite nervous. 1t was only a't'
the bouse had become quiet and dark an'
we had retired, that Marian began 10 CIV
expression to her long pent-up feelings
She opened the subject by asking Ines
ton chubby, what do you think oil thos
Judges - VERY poor, indeed" l replied
al don't believe they know anything aoou
babies" replied Marian, 81 believe 1t wa
spjte work with one Of them because ! di
not invite her to our sociable last winter
Who selected the judges, IIubbyr 81 d
not know / replied. "Well," said Marian
az don't believe they could have ioun
such a set of women in Shenandoah ne
knew that Jerusha was by far the prett'es
baby there. but when they came to on
darling saw one Of them turn mp her nos
and pass on without noticing the dear III
, tle creature. wonder if she wasn't pai'
TO pass by Jerusha. | really beiieye II
for she looked 80 guilty." and Marian con
tinued until ! dreamed ! was trying
sleep with thirty squalling babies tugg'n
at me, begging me to take them' ana
D could not decide which one to take frs
Again | heard Marian, Hubby, woul
like TO be a Judge when those wome
o bring their babies to a Fair. ! am sure
| would teach them now 10 W "''"fl
y ed"
: Marian continued her comments tlll
concluded that tho next time MAr''
J. wanted an Afghan, would buy it, al
J. we both agreed that the Shenandoa
! County Agricultural Society might bur
all TO smithereens, before we would eve
2, take another baby TO their exhibition
" DIR. Kings dairy exhibit at the Fa
- showing his whole process Of butter ma'
y ipp-raising the cream, ohurning, wor'
ing the butter, &c, was not only very u
a teresting to the many who were preSe'
bot was also great triumph for the Je
sev cow They could hardly have bee