Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-06
BABIES ON PARADE.

| BABIES ON PARADE,
Why Not Have a Babies Day in Washington
and n Procession?
Correspondence of The Evening Star
| AsBURY PARK, n. j., Aug. 5, 1892.
There is an old story of a little child that was
gilded all over to represent Cupid in Roman
parade, the operation subsequently proving
fatal to the victim Though never so gorgeous,
the loneliness of this golden infant could not
have approached that of the god of love who
figured in the great baby parade here-a festive
| display the like of which cannot be seen any
where else i'll the world. The part was taken by
little girl four years of age. whose small and
plump body was clad only in the slightest posi-
BILE drapery of gauzy pink silk. Her dimpled
arms and legs to above the hips were entirely
bare and from her shoulders sprang a pair of
gauze wings She had hair of purest gbld
which fell in fluffy curls about her rosy face
Altogether she was picture well worth coming
miles to see.
In fact. many thousands of people came from
New York and all over this part Of the country
| to witness the parade. Anybody who imagines
| that the American public does not take keen
interest in babies would have been undeceived
on observing the enthusiasm exhibited by the
assembled crowds. 1t was in truth u wonder
full spectacle. particularly in respect to the in
ventive ingenuity displayed by the mothers in
the devising of novel decorations for the baby
carriages There was not a cross infant in line.
the very young ones having each received a
fresh bottle of milk before starting, and the
| slightly more aged tOddlers regarding the occa-
sion as highly provocative of joy. As a rule
the babies were wheeled along by their respect
i've mammas. who were all smiles and beaming
with pride. The latter were nearly all dressed
in white.
At the head Of the procession was very
gruff-looking policeman, six years OF age. He
| was dressed in full uniform, with club nearly
as long as himself by the aid Of which he
cleared the way. Then came a full-grown band
attlred In surprising and picturesque costumes
aftereshich marched twenty little boys and
girls, armed with pals and sand shovels and
dressed in bathing suits. Following them
Cupid, harnessed with broad pink ribbon and
driven by pretty little girl in pink gauze.
Then came great many little girls, each push
ing miniature baby carriage containing one
or more dolls. Some of the more fortunate
ones had as many a dozen dollies. Both
! children and dolls were all in their best attire
and the carriages were decorated with flowers
and flags.
One of the little carriages was made in the
shape OF a big slipper, and in it was the old
woman who lived in a shoe, together With her
numerous children. Another such vehicle car
rled two large dolls, boy doll and a girl doll
| each nearly as big the owner. Many Of the
doll carriages belonged to little girls who we're
not rich enough to possess dollies of the costly
sort, with eyes that shut real hair and sauawkers
4 In their chests, but they were just as proud of
their babies. One small tot had a very trouble
some baby, which she obliged continually
to readjust beneath its blanket. 1t was a tor
toise-shell kitten and it would insist upon k OK
ing, having no interest whatever in baby
parades. 1t may be confidently stated that the
mammas OF the real babies were not prouder of
their offspring than were these sweet little
actors of the part of maternity
Following them came little boy in small
cart drawn by big Newfoundland dog in red
harness, and then two carts pulled by goats
The goat between the shafts of one of the ye-
hicles was rather balky. and it was with some
difficulty that the youngster who drove i. kept
up with the procession. Next came an old
fashioned wooden cradle with baby in it car
ried by four boys. The cradle was decorated
with flags and labeled Fourth Generation"
slgnlfying that three ancestors of its occupant
in direct line of descent had been rocked in the
same quaint little bed. Then came long line
of baby carriages decorated in all sorts OF fan.
ciful ways and pushed by proud and happy
mothers. long string OF them were adorned
with flags, special prize being given for taste
and originality in that style of ornamentation
An interesting feature of the parade was an In
dian mother, carrying on her back papoose
and following her husband, who walked along
with pipe in his mouth. Both parents and
child were most deliberately attired in feathers.
beads and aboriginal bijouterie.
Many Of the other carriages we're most beau
| tifully ornamented. wonderful effects being
produced by simple means. One of the prettiest
was decorated with white cotton batting and
white tissue paper, the latter fringed, 20 that
the effect at a little distance was that Of swans
down and ostrich plumes. Another was oil
white lace and buttercups. Yet another was
covered with daisies and white ribbons Still
another was adorned merely with vari-
colored paper napkins, made into rosettes 80 as
TO cover the carriage with them, the baby's can
being made of one and the parasol likewise.
Another yet was covered with blue and yellow
paper formed into rosettes and tied with rib
bOns Then there was another that was draped
and ornamented with grass-green silk and white
lace. Still another was so interviewer with
real pink roses as to look as if made Of those
flowers. One very funny one had comic little
japanese monkeys bobbing all over the UNI
brela.
Two Of the perambulators were seemingly
composed of golden rod. One was all yellow
Japanese lilies. with a parasol made to initiate
gigantic lily hanging from a STEM Another
was made Of oak leaves and another of pine
needles. Yet another was of water lilies and
ferns. However. these were only few Of the
curious and pretty things. There was four
months baby who weighed twenty-six pounds
little boy of two and half years in a full
dress suit with big sunfower for parasol
and an infant who represented Moses in the
buirushes drawn in a cart that was made of real
cat tails. Last, but not least, was a complete
set Of triplets. each sucking vigorously at o
bottle They were advertised as weighing more
than any other triplets of the same age in New
jersey.
Signs of Hot Weather Out West.
From the Grand. Rapids Democrat.
When man takes of his linen collar and
q