Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1892-03-03

-t's~f ~ tttt 1sathc ut +Aag u1ond, came
to icok over the house with view q
renting it. After exploring ti.e greater
part OF the cottage they took look into
the bathroom; the womanly curiosity IT
the lady was moved to take closer view
Of some mats end pieces of carpetin1 thai
were in one corner. when suddenly she
startled her husband by succession of
sl.rill screams which soon changed into
peals Of nervous laughter.
Ny dear what is it, inquired her
husband
What is itsT Why. baby. and It's
aliii.ve,~
Il Was Uncle Jacks baby, u course.
When Aunt Patty decided 70 20 before
Sarah returned. the cldld was quietly
sleeping 80 she deposited it. all ready
for the Journey. on soft rug on the
floor IN the sitting room. Then she went
softly out and carefully locked the door.
thinking that when Sarah returned She
would. Of coarse. taAe the baby to Joe
Nerrhs
Unfortunately. the baby woke ap al.
most as soon - her back was turned.
and. although considerably ilnpeded by
his clothing began its continual creeping.
BY the time sarah returned. lac was
out OF sight and hearing. and when, af.
ter hasty glance about, she ieft for
Joe North's. the baby kept on until he
had explored every room on that fiat,
aud ss Sarah had left the sitting room
door open, crept into the nall, nlerci-
fully escaped the stairs, and entering
the bathroom, wearied with locomotion
az such a disadvantage, curled down a.
sleep in the corner Where Mrs Raymond
afteTward found him.
Mr.. Raymond, though somewhat
shaken by the screams OF his wife, was
one OF those men who rarely lose the
opportunity for a Joke, and now he only
nultered that il it was so affecting 10
find child, il was no wonder that when
the loss Of one occurred
Oh, you horrid man. interrupted
his wife, LET us look after this poor
baby. Wen take it home with us. and
then we can consider what il best 10 be
done.
Home, for the Raymonds. had been.
for few weeks past, q modest fiat in an
apartment hotel near hy Ihither tile
infant was at once taken. What thev
had seen of the cottage pleased them so
well that. after a short consultation.
they concluded TO return aud learn all
about the house before placing any infor-
nation concerning the baby either with
Che police OF the newspapers Mr. Ray
mond silly suggested to his wife that IL
would be prudent idea TO take nerve
tonic before starting, for fear chill
should be discovered in the pantry, or
nnearthed in the cellar
A long delay occurred at the packet in
getting everything arranged, as the cap
tain had gone on shore; it was nearly
dark before Aunt Patty and Uncle Jack
arrived at Joe North's
Is the baby asleep, Sairyg" were the
first words Aunt Patty uttered
"The baby!" gasped Sarah. @why.
Aunt Patty, ! thonght-what did you do
with hhn?"
What did do with hims / locked
him up in the sitting room, and s'posed
YOU would have sense enough 10 take
him with you when you got back.
But the baby wasn't anywhere to be
seen, and Mrs Wyman, across the street,
said You had him in your arms when YOU
drove off. sobbed the now thoroughly
81 liteh,l Sarah.
Aunt Patty was startled too, but she
paused long enough to give vent to her
temper by denouncing the neighbor, Mrs.
Wyman, as a stupid old nearsighted tilt p
that couldn't tell the difference between
baby and big parcel wrapped up in
brown paper. Sarah at once owned to
leaving the sitting room door open, SO
Aunt Patty felt sure as could be that the
baby had fallen downstairs, and as the
house was only a few blocks away not
many minutes were spent in getting back
t1 it and admitting themselves with the
latchkey. But here, Of course, they
found no baby from cellar to
attic, and from hall 10 bedroom.
All sorts OF despairing theories were
advanced as TO his Whereabouts.
and also as to the best means Of finding
him, when. as they were all in the hall.
the front door opened, and Mr. and Mrs
Raymond entered to complete their in
spection OF the cottage.
OF course mutual introductions and
| explanations and the recovery Of the
child soon followed. Aunt Patty, how
ever, never forgave DIR. and Mrs. Ray
mond for contemplating even look
through the house before taking steps to
advertise the baby, totally unmindfuI Of
the fact that their course had resulted in
the speediest possible righting Of mat
ters. Probably her quick ears caught
fen words OF Mr. Raymonds remarks
to his wife. concerning the propriety OF
providing poodle collar and chain for
infants with propensity to wander.
Certain it is that Auat Patty Jack ever
afterward spoke Of that turrible Ray
mond with As much severity as il he
had, with malicious intent. abducted the
baby Mel Clarke, in Wayerly.