The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-06-14

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gness, but he had his mind on the lads,
and suddenly, while they were sustaining
an elaborate copcsrn, he flung himself
back and crowed-yea, joyfuily crowed-
with rosy, jocund countenance in the
whites Of the eyes Of the two solemnities.
One raised his eyebrows, and the other
looked at the roof in despair, but had
hopes, for who could resist this bub-
bling, chortling mirth? One laughs a
glad, boyish chuckle, and the other TIC
kles Baby just at the right spot below
the cbin-has a baby at home after all
and loves it-declaring aloud that he Is a
"joIly little beggar." Those boys are all
right. There is sound heart below the
little Alterations, and they are going to
be men.
This outburst Of his majesty cheered
Us all nightly, and young woman at
the top Of che bus, catching his eye,
waved her hand to him, with happy
smile. Brown gloves, size 6ls perhaps
8, much worn, and q jacket also not Of
yesterday, but everything is well made
and in perfect taste. Milk white teeth
hazel eyes, Grecian profle-what win
some girl!-and let me see, she takes off
a glovs-yea, IL wearing an engagement
ring; lucky fellow, for she must DO
good with those eyes and that merry
smile. A teacher, one guesses, and today
of, and then the three-her mother, that
dear woman with hair turning gray-will
60 upon the river and come home in the
sweet summer evening, full Of content.
As soon a. he gets rise In the Office
they will marry, and she will also have
her gift, a. every woman should. But
where am I now?-let that baby bear
the blame.
We had one vacant place, and that
was how he intruded on our peace, but
let me make one excuse for him. 1t Ii
aggravatins to stand on the edge Of the
pavement and wave your umbrella o.
tentatiously to bus which passes you
and draws up 10 yards ahead, to make
your dangerous way along q slippery
street with hansoms bent upon your life.
to be ordered to hurry up" by the i'm
patient conductor and ANONYMOUSLY
hauled on to moving bus. For an elder
ly gentleman of military appearance and
short temper it was not soothing, and he
but he distinctly exceeded.
He insisted in language Of great direct.
ness and simplicity that the conductor
had seen him all the time; that II he
didn't he ought to have been looking;
that he (the coloneD was not fox ter.
rier, to run after bus in the mud; that
the conductor was an impertinent scoun-
drel and that he would have him dis
missed, with other things and words I'M
worthy Of even q retired Anglo-Indian.
The sympathy of the bus did not 60 out
to him, and when he forced himself in
between the lawyer and Grannie, and,
leaning forward with his hands on his
cane, glared at us impartially, relations
were strained.
A cut on his cheek and bristly white |
mustache half hiding, half c0ncealng, a
cruel mouth, did not commend the new |
passenger to peaceable company. Baby |
regarded the old man with sad attention, |
and at last be indicated that his fancy Is
to examine the silver head Of the colo
nel's cane. The colonel, after two mo-
ments' hesitation, removes his hands and
gives full liberty. On second thoughts.
he must have got that cut In some stiff
fight. Wonder whether he is v. Q.
Baby moves the cane back and forward
to march of his own devising, the colo
mel. actively assisting. Now that see
it in a proper light his mustache 10
soft and sets off the face e1cellently.
Had it not been the cut puckering the
corner of the upper lip, that would have
been a very sweet mouth for a man, or
even for woman. Baby is not lifted
above all human weaknesses-preserye
us from perfect people-and he indicates
a desire to taste as well as handle that
silver head. The colonel Is quite agree
most good natured man you
could meet In days journey-but
Baby's guardian objects, and history
warns US Of the dangers which beset a
collision between an absolute monarch
Ind his faithful commons. We were all
but the crisis is safe In the
.olonels hands. He thrusts his hand
within the tightly buttoned frock coat
Ind produces gold hunting watch
rested, did you notice-and-yes, Just
what every father has done for his
,aby since watches were invented-he
blew; the lid flew open. Baby blew, and
he lid few open faster and farther.
titled on frontier last year." Is much
lshamed of this confidence, and we all
ook unconscious. What fine. simple
Id fellow he is.
"saved up, has he," the colonel Is
peaking to the mother, ito give Baby
nd you week at Ramsgate7 He's the
light sort, your husband. It's for Baby,
OF for you, to get him some folderol, you
now. He's done q lot Of good to a crusty
Id chap" And he passes something from
is pocket into the mothers hand.
The conductor has taken In the scene
nth huge delight and closes it at just
he right point. "Your club, general;
lst wait till the bus stops. Can you
ct near the curb, Bill2 Now, that's {
ght; take care, sir, plenty of time"
The colonel was standing on the broad
,p step of the Veterans, smiling and :
'aving his hand; the bus waved back,
he conductor touched his cap, and Baby Y