The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-12
Troubles That Followed a
Practical Joke.
Mr. Williams Wanted to Give
Mr.. Thomas a Surprise.
He Succeeded, But Can't Tell HIS
Own Baby From Two Others.

Whom man engages in the business OF
mixing children up, even for the fun OF
the thing, as did Little Buttercup of
.pins fore, fame, he ia pretty certain to
make mess OF It, and not TO be able TO
carry the Identification of each in his
MIND as did that buxom bumboat wo-
man in the case OF Captain Corcoran ana
Ralph Rackstraw, able seamen. There
are i'm this city just at present two colored
families which are rnying the penalty for
a baby mixup as result of which neither
is ain that il hasn't got baby that
natuIo bestowed on the other and what
makes the condition more unsatisfactory,
IL not positively distressing, IL that every
known means of arriving at positive iden-
tiljcaii ion has been exhausted leaving
fathers and mothers, sisters, cousins and
aunts es much in doubt as ever, with no
prospect OF better results as time rolls on.
And this sad and what now threatens TO
be permanent state of narrowing upcer-
tainty was brought about by practical
joke.
It isn't necessary for the purposes OF
this chronicle TO give exact names or
places for that would only tend TO IN
crease the embarrassment and unhappi-
ness OF those concerned. AS the story
cannot be told, however, without names
one family will be called Williams and
the other Thomas and as to residence II
need only be said the real parties do not
live hundred miles from Is street. a
few years ago there lived in Pawtuckot
two estimable young colored women.
They were inseparable companions, hav-
ing attended school together, when child
ren, and when they grew older they were
always in company at gatherings where
pleasure was the purpose. In course OF
yeera they married about tho same time
and both came to Providence to reside.
Mrs. Williams husband is barber while
MIR. Inoniss Is employed in good posi-
tion ON big steamer. For long time
Mr. Thomas was on a steamer which ran
to this port. but later was transferred to
aEufher which does not touch at Provi-
denco at all. This transfer had the effect
of de- priving Mr.. Thomas of visiting his
family as frequently as formerly. Indeed,
II ives emily last week that no succeeded
IN getting q leave of abselce that enabled
him 10 come TO Providence and IL was
then that the trouble began.
Three months ago Mrs. williams gave
birth TO a bouncing boy while about the
sa,no time Mrs. Thomas presented her
lego lord with healthy twins also
OF the male persuasion, although
tie lord band maslcr was not on hand,
because OF the exigencles OF his business,
TO welcome the new corners into the
world He was promptly informed by
lcftcr, however, OF the important and
interesting event and no doubt was more
ANXIOUS than ever TO get home How
ever, he did not obtain the necessary leave
until last week as already stated. In the
meantime he had written homo stating
the time be would arrive and Mrs. Thomas
began to make elaborate preparation to
give her long-abseDt husband a joyous
vel, ONE. Mr.. Williams and Mrs. VIII
lia,as entered heartily into her plans and
during their consultations Mr.. Williams
in a spirit OF fan suggested that his baby
be placed in the bed with the Thomas
twis Just before Mr.. Thomas arrival
and tue trio presented to him as his own
trirlers.
The suggestion struck the women 80
fayorably that they at once adopted 1t