Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-05-24
CHARMING BABIES
Capture All Hearts at the
Grand Carnival, Gardiner.
Over 1870 Of the Little Ones Present
From All Over Maine.
The Prize Winners--Friday to Be Given Up
to the Gay Firemen.

fourth day Of the grand carnival again
routed the croakers and the foul weather
prophets The weather was nearest per-
lection that has yet been vouchsafed the
carnival The people couldn't stay away.
The decorations looked as smart as on the
first morning. Despite the fact that the
programme contained no special attrac-
tions for the forenoon, the streets early in
the morning presented holiday appear
ance and were alive with hustle. Many
visitors arrived before noon and they con
tinued to come by team and rail from all
directions, SO that by | o'clock it was
standing room only" at the Coliseum.
Did you ever sec the typical Maine baby?
If you are fond parent or an indulgent
grandparent. of course you have, or think
you have-"the dear little thing" But
did you ever really see the Maine baby en-
masse, 1870 of him in a cluster?
In other words, did you see the cutest,
"cunnin'est" feature of the great carnival
week. We're you among the fortunate
first corners. this afternoon, who got into
the immense Coliseum auditorium before
every inch of standing room was in greater
demand than a corner lot on tho Kicka-
poo reservation? Did you get box in
the gallery where you could look down on
that indescribable array of upturned,
downturned, laughing. crying, growing
babies, every blessed face clean, healthy
wholesome, kissablc?
If you did, you saw the sight of your
life.
You have been to baby shows before
have you? You think you have. but yon
wouldn't think so had you spent half
hour at the Coliseum, this afternoon.
There never before was anything like it
in this good old State, whose "DiIigo"
vas surely inspired by her splendid re
sources in the way of babies, babies that
grow to men and women without peers.
"Gush." do you say?
No We went to the baby show, that S
all. We were there when Mayor Clason
said there were over 1000 people present
We don't wonder he thought so. And
they kept coming. The attendants had
put the ropes across the entrances. "NO
room" the several hundred anxious
walters were told The sun was shining
outside, the air was warm and the gaily
colored bunting beokoned, but the late
corners didn't heed. They came to see the
babies and babies they must see, so they
| waited until people came out, so that FOR
| two hours here was coming and going in
crowds.
If anyone thinks this decadcnt genera
| lion doesn t care for babies, they should
nave been here, have stood in the surging
crowd struggling toward the farther end
If the hall, where the babies were, and
where only few in front could see them.
The cool splash of the water in the foun-
tain tempered the heated air; the greenery
looked inviting the florists handsome
booth was fragrant and beautiful, but all
gere passed without notice; tho gurgle
md coo were heard and so the crowd
res Sod forward The babies sat in car
ciages and kicked and bounced themselves
I'D and down, stared a moment at the curl
US faces barred off by a rope across the
,all and against which the crowd pressed
lnrmingly, but baby wasn't the least
title bit scared Someone said, "Oh,
,ou sweet little darling;' another re-
marked, .Who over saw so many pretty
,abiess'' and still another, con, 90 tootsy
yootsy, how I'd like to hug it, so l would. y
Then a catlaverous woman shrilly whis-
psred, "Supposing there should be fire."
The woman with her, fitting companion,
remarked, ~ shouldn't be so 'fraid or
that as of measles or something catchin'."
Now baby, that is, baby collectively,
lust made the most of circumstances and
acted as if he knew that after all every
body loved him in bis best bib and tucker
and his face polished until it glistened.
But baby in particular, Well, he would
give nurse or mother an anxious moment
occasionally, and how carefully ne was
waited on, and what little tyrant ne
was And one of the cutest babes OF them
all had face that rcsenbled polished
ebony, eyes so bright they fairly shono
into the dense crowd, and hair that curled
ever SO close to his little round head.
Reeves band, that hitherto had been
the centre of attraction, must have felt
Jealous. In vain they played Mother
Hubbard march, "The Pleasures of n
Married Man." and like fetching selec-
lions. Even the pretty girls turned a cold
shoulder, for baby was on his throne 50
many anxious to get glimpse of the lit
tie ones being unable to do so, a brisk
trade sprang up at Reynolds studio ex-
hibit where were some very handsome
group pictures of the babies.
Here are the names of the babies who
participated, every one of them good
looking:
Arthur l.. Purdy age 90 months.
Florence Bookings, age IA months.
Frank d. Libby, age IL months.
Malina LsTarmic, age 10 months.
Alice Rose Clancy, ago months.
I,eota Moore Littlefield, age 10 months.
Marion Ruth Mulligan, age II months.
Harriet Mae Cunningham, age Fl
months.
Myra Bell Cregan, age : months.
Albert d. Norton, age 16 months.
Bert Stanley Dick, age IA months.
Caroline C. Bates, age 20 months.
Florence NJ. Soule, age months.
Hazel M. Hutchinson, age months.
Mabel V. Jenkins. age 12 months.
Walter J. Gingrow, age 10 months.
Ruth Mildred Hathaway age 10
months.
John W. Colby, age Z months.
Ralph Edward Jones'
Ruth Edna Jones'
CONTINUED on page 2