Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1895-08-31
Salem Babies.

the auJOlulng OOX. Tne real estate
agent lost his temper at the same time
as he did his wind and things began
to look dark for the bachelor, who was
by this time near the edge Of the
cement walk and only just in time {,
grasp n baby buggy that propelled by
a sudden puff OF wind had started to
runaway with the baby. The Real
Estate Agent saw his own suffering
the result of saving the child from
disaster and freely fUrgave the Bache-
lor, who was blushing very red at the
profuse thanks Of the Little Mother,
who futtered around her Babe like
frightened mother bird. Raising his
hat the Bachelor slowly sauntered back
to his box and seating himself, again
coiled his long legs in their accus-
toned Jack -in.the-box fashion.
After the act of heroism, all hesitated
to resume their former light talk and
the silence was only broken by the
Bachelor exclaimiDg Pretty baby
that. She'll be breaking plenty Of
hearts In about sixteen years." Yes
she is rather pretty acknowledged the
Young Father, but we have two at
our house that rather 60 her q bit
better.
The Grandfather Of "A Boy" who
sat on a big box at the end Of the row,
was now seen to straighten up and
hook his thumbs INTO his vest, the sure
prelude TO yarns about the aforesaid
Boy, but he got lett, for the ever ready
Real Estate Agent cut in with: "Well
Salem just beats the world for Babies
any way. They ale the heaithiest,
smartest and prettiest Babies on eaith."
(He began to get rs enthusiastic as
when selling ten acre fruit tract. }
"Why when | came here l missed
something aud 1 coul0't make out
what IT was, fairly grew lonesome and
homesick over IL aud was half a mind
70 buy ticket back to Kansas. One
night ! was ut big meeting and q
Baby got tired and began to cry, and
then another hearing it started a sec'
ond. Then l knew what had missed,
It was crying Babies. Why, the,
Babies hardly ever cry here. They
are 80 comfortable and hearty that
they are always good natured."
"Well the Babies in Ohio are no
sleuch either though they cry oc.
casionally to strengthen their lungs"
said the man who had been here o
year.
The Bachelor craned his long neck to
see the last speaker and asked: "HOw
many did you leave there ?'
"Four" was the reply. "Oh," said
the Bachelor, "you are getting home'
sick and you only remember the nice
thing about those youngsters, wait till
they've been here couple Of weeks
and you will own up that they had
better have been born In Salem, even
fit would have given them later
start In lIfe."
The. Man Who. Has Been Here-A-
Year neither noticed nor replied to the
Bachelors remarks, but was heard to
murmur TO himself, "four long
weeks more" In the panic that
ensued the Grandfather took courage
TO again start the ancedote OF "The
Boy" but Happy Mother coming
along tumbling baby carriage, the
Real Estate Agent greeted her with
his sweetest smile, asking for her
opinion on what city should be most
noted for Its Pretty Babies. The
Happy Mother gave second glance at
her own cherub, and with an effulgent
smile answered: "Salem, to be sure"
"The Salem Babies win," exclaimed
the Real Estate Agent, but the Man
Who Has-Been-H -Herc-A- Year dsmurred
that the witnesses were preju.
diced.
"Take stranger" said he, "who Ia
through the country,and has
no kids Of his own to prejudice him,
aud you might get fair decision"
''Just keep your eyes peeled" said the
Young Father, "and you're likely to
Bee such one, but, by George If he
decides against Salem, ! shall be
to wiring his neck"
"There he comes now" said the
"Now speak up loud aud
plain" said the Young Father to the
Real Estate Man.
"No," replied the latter, "let the
he has the most cheek In the
,rowd. They do say he gave widow
he mltten."
"Oh, let the widow rest" exclaimed
he Bachelor, "but I'll sacrifice my
Ielf In the good cause" "Good after
loon" said he to the stranger, al beg
1our pardon, for OBTAINING you but We
ire having little discussion, and just
reed your assistance" "All right,
said the stranger, good
laturedly.
"Well," resumed the Bachelor, the