Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-05
DEDICATION OF A BABY.
A salvation-Army Function on Station
Jsland-Prohibitlon Park.

(New York SUM
There was a dedication yesterday. and
II wasn't Of a church, or a school. or any
thing like that, but of baby Mrs
Maud BalIington Booth. wife OF Com
mander Booth, head of the Salvation
Army in this country, performed the
ceremony at Prohibition Park, staten
Island. where the army has been holding
forth three times daily for week livery
body who was there said Mrs. Boom
did II very nicely, and the baby was ap-
parently the most Pleased OF all, TOT IL
went through the trying ordeal without
whimper.
When there's dedication in the army
IL means practically the same thng as
a baptism 1T Is not often that the
baby Is so young as yesterdays BABY 49,
but otherwise the ceremony Is not I'M
common. Many recruits have come INTO
the army in this way, and the oineers
of the army think it's good way De
cause they believe In catching the young
idea and training 1t in the way IL shouio
go. 1t Is easier TO train than TO reciali''
they say.
Yesterdays baby was Florence MAUI
Summons and she is exactly five months
Of Adjutant John Summons. of trenton
who Is in charge of all the army corps
in Southern New Jersey. She has Dig
blue eyes and dmplcs in every spo, where
a dmple can get, and her hair, from
present Indications, Is going to be golden
She is plump and rosy. and has a rusty
voice Altogether, the people VINO saw
her came 10 the conclusion mat shes as
promising recruit as the army has seen
in long time.
Florence Maud was down on the pro-
gramme for dedication at 5 a. II. But
she wasn't ready TO appear at that time.
Her mamma, made forgetful doubtless
by the excitement Of the important oc-
casion, overlooked the fact that babies
even dedicatory babies-are in the midst
OF their afternoon maps about that hour.
Public apology was made from the ros-
trum of the amphtheatre, which WIS 10
he the scene Of the dedication. II was
said that Florence Maud's mamma Gid
not feel well on account OF the heat.
But, Of course. everybody knew that the
baby was asleep and could not be dis
turbed even for dedication, and the man.
mas In the audience looked at one an
other and smiled sympathetlcally.
Florence Maud was on hand for tho
evening exercises, however. very much
awake and equally interested. She had
on n long white gown, tucked and fur
beloved, and she wore dia gOnally over
her little body scarlet sash on whicn
was embroidered in god letters. For
the War She came In her mammals
arms at the very first, and while Com
mander Booth was opening up with song.
she bobbed her small head about, sizing
I'D the audience.
"Aint she just cunning!" said all the
women In breath.
Commander Booth had hard work to
get anybody's attention.
..Come on" he cried, waving his arms.
ct grant you it's warm here, but Just
nut YOUR handkerchiefs and fans away.
Won all believe in theology, know, but
7 want you also 10 believe in clapology--
handology. Now. all sing. ana join the
song with your hands,
Everybody then started to sing and TO
clan. The noise was great, and Florence
Maud. at first puzzled. evidently mag
,ned IL was all done to amuse Ter. She
sprang up In her mammals arms and
.hut up her little fists. Then her mouth
az a nickel, and she showed her little
tongue and pink gums. Then she crowed.
- wasn't a very loud crow, because the
clapr,ing was 30 much louder. but many
heard It.
"Oh. ain't she just as cunnlns!" cried
all the women again.
Commander Booth saw that there was
too much counter-attraction. He looked
over at Mrs. Sammons. now blushing
furiously, and smiled at the baby. which
by this time very much excited. Then
he nodded to both: also to baby's father.
81 the Adutant and MIA oammons came