The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-12
BariIIon's Baby.

feeling along the hearth-rug for matches.
That so?" remarked Dodd, without
looking up from the black and white be-
fore him.
YES. What the deuce did a
poor devil like Bariilon want babies for.
anyhow
HIM. commented Dodd. What /
want to know is. what Induced fairly
successful French landscape painter 10
settle over here? Even American land
scape painters cant sell unless they start
young ladies' daubing school or give
couchee-couchee dances in their studios.
There was silence Dodd was perform
ing some mysterious rites with dis
carded tooth brush on the background OF
his black and white. Trawley was think
Ing.
The door opened unceremoniously and
Lutterworth came in. Lutterworth was
Dodds partner in rent paying. and their
wardrobes were in common. consequent
ly Dodd Immediately observed that the
other mans overcoat was missing.
What did you get for IT, he asked Sc
verely.
only $3.50. Lazarus said IT was an old.
old friend, or he shouldn't have given even
that You needn't hold out
your paw. Doddy; you are not going to get
one cent of 1t. Haven't you heard that
poor old Barillon's baby died this morn
inS?"
"Weu?" Intercepted Dodd, relaxing his
grip on the ink bottle.
well! Do you think that we ought TO
allow the city to get hold of that little
scrap o. humanity? No. ny boy. The
Barillon baby was the guest ot American
Art, and American Arts going 10 bury
the Barillon baby"
You
mean well, Lutterworth. out the thing s
absurd"
Look here" said Lutterworth, push
ing some books off his bed and sitting
down in their place. II never fancied we
could do the whole thing for $3.50. But
a collection"
collection nothing!" Dodd exclaimed
with emphasis. There IS 70 enough
money TO buy a sparrow in the entire set
Element. Do you think l should be toll
ing here if wealth could b. picked Up for
the asking?"
Lutterworth shook his head deiectedly.
Then he took $3.50 from mis- pocket and
began counting it.
"Barillon doesn't know a soul but our
selves" he said. Besides, the poor cn5p
can't speak more than five words of En-
glsh. And as for little Madame Bari
L uOn I KNOW WHIT she II ~ IL Tic city
gets her baby"
Once more there was silence in the
painting shop. Dodd was laboring fruit
lessly, as it seemed to produce a foggy
effect with piece of smudgy Indian rub
Der. Trawley succeeded in finding a
match and lighted a raking Pittsburg
stogey. The smoke was to him as Del
phc vapors were to the priestess perched
on her tripod.
inspiration" he cried LET us make
a coffin ourselves. Where are those car
penter tools of yours, Doddy?"
Dodd almost hurled the black-and-w white
into a corner. Lutterworth allowed the
money to sink back into his pocket. Both
were on their feet in an instant.
You'll find the tools in the closet" said
Dodd That window seat will do for
a coffin, won't it?'
Yes; and the white hangings to line 1t
with" calculated Lutterworth, tearing
down a gorgeous satin mantle. the pride
of Dodd's collection as he spoke.
Trawley fished out the carpenters tools
Dodd found some brass-headed nails. and
to work with will went this trio of anna
teur undertakers.
Slowly the window seat. which had once
been macaroni box, found itself meta
morphosed for the third time-on this &C.
casion into a really respectable-looking
coffin. A paint pot, borrowed from the
janitor lent color to the exterior: the in
terror was richly lined with Dodd's white
satin hangings. The brass-headed nails,
set nearly arrow, kept the satin in place,
and Dodd painted on the lid the inscrip-
ton: "Etienne-Aloys Barllon, aged 10
months"
As they put the finishing touches to
81,
door. and, without being hidden to enter.
old Flanagan, Notwithstanding to all
that dwet beneath that room, heaved his
corpulent frame into the painting shop
"Gintelmen," wheezed Mr.. Flanagan.
I've come afther the rint.'
"One moment. Flannagan: one mo-
ment,' said Lutterworth. Were just
finishing this coffin
Mr. FIannegans jaw dropped. for the
word coffin reminded him of how grasp
ing landlords were said to have been
treated in his native Ireland.
"Finishin' coffin;'' he repeated, fall
teringly.
Dodd laughed.
Don't worry. Flanagan" he said.
IT'S not for YOU"
And then. as they lifted the box from
the midst Of chips and shavings. and set
it proudly on the drawing table. they
explained to Mr.. Flanagan its real pur-
pose.
The burly landlord regarded them eau
tiously for awhile, as though dreading
some jest, but presently his features re-
Taxed into a grim smile.
Sure. an 1 suppose you've been so
busy" he said. that We didn't have time
TO get the rint ready?'
The rent must wait" said Dodd.
1T ginerally does. bedad,' retorted
Flanagan. We'll I won't bother ye
/ now. boys. as 1 see we're Just setJin' up
/ in new business. Good mornin' TO ye.
an good luck TO the undhertakin' bust
ness"
"Cold-hearted old pig" growled Dodd,
I as the door banged behind MS landlord.
/ HAD to make a joke Of it, Of course.
| Some people seem 10 have no feelings
/ oh. these coarse natures, you know
/ said Trawley. What can you eNpec.
/ from an ex-contractor, whom fate has
made the landlord OF a studio building
But ! say! We have a iot 10
/ do yet. The coffin. fine as II IS. won t
! save Barinon's baby from the city. We
must discover some means Of raising mon
/ CIV"
/ 7 have two dollars Atty" Lut;er-
worth was beginning. when the door open
/ ed once more, this time 70 admit the jan
+ it0r. He held a handsome bundle Of white
/ roses in one hand. and IN the other a
/ psnciled note, which he presented 10
( Dodd.
From Mr.. Fiannaganr' he said.
Dodd opened the note and read il aloud.
( at first with some impotence. but win
( growing wonder as Dc proceeded
Mister Flanagan presents his comp-i-
ments~ &; ran. ''but viii you kindly ac-
/ cepf these roses 10 put on that coffin q