The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-03-22

did not think. however, that he was vio-
lating this injunction by telling her of
the impending visits. Before he start
ed for he train he found that she was
DONG II little worrying on her own ac-
count.
IL wish, as they are to be here to-
ge,her, they could both come together"
she whispered. with an eye on the
stout woman who was knitting over by
the window.
what difference would that make?"
asked Edmonton.
"Well. mamma will have whole
days start of your mother, and she will
be telling her all about baby's likes and
dislikes and wha, he's been accustomed
to. and all that sort Of thing. and I'm
afraid your mother may not like it,"
"Pshaw!" said Edmonton. believing
it, nevertheless.
Il expect you are having a terrible
time right now." his wife continued.
compassionately.
Getting along first rate" said Ed
monton. "Everything's going along
like clockwork."
iOu NOI lliSs ilt, 'hNh
Miss you! ! should say ! did.
What's Mister Man doing there?"
"S'eepin. He doesn', do anysin' else
but s'eep, bess e pwecious heart. Want
to see him, papa? Oh! see him frown,
see him frowu! Did you ever. Let's
cuvvy him up quick. What dweadful
face! Is Mary doing all right, Ilenry?"
shes "a treasure. I'm thinking seri
ously of raising her wages"
What was that | heard smash this
morning?"
Smash! Well, you've got good ears
l didn't think you would hear that.
What was it? Why, it was - the
saucer of one of the flower pots. She
was watering the flowers, don't you
know"
at didn't sound like that. Must you
go? Henry, | don't see what that old
thing has to stick around in here all
the time for. Don't lean on the baby
Henry"
1t was nearly a month after that
Barkstowe saw Edmonton again, and
they had not talked five minutes before
he complimented him upon his well
fed and care-free appearance. Baby
don't make you much trouble?" he
said, inquringly.
"Trouble!" echoed Edmonton. "That
kid has never given me moment Of
uneasiness since last saw you. If yol
were in the house a week you'd hardly
know there was baby in the house"
Barkstowe looked puzzled. well
that's fine thing" he said. Still, !
rather like baby to whoop 'er up once
in awhile. Shows it's alive and hasn't
got anything the matter with its
lungs"
"Oh, guess mine whoops 'er up all
right as far as that goes" said Ed
monton, carelessly. "He doesn't both
er me. though"
"Iou haven't quit your home and
gone TO boarding just because you
think you're going TO lose a nights rest
occasionally" asked Barstowe, indig,
nantly.
No; I'm still on tolerably good term,
with my family"
That's all right, then. Come and
take dinner with me and we'll go &c
the theater after. We don't meet every
4
day"
I'D like to, but I'll have to get yor
to excuse me tonight" said Ed
monton. I'm going to take my wife
10 the theater."
Darkstowe staggered back anc
famed himself with his hat. When ht
had sufficiently recovered he said: "Tl
give you people up. I'm beat. fee
as if it was my duty to call up the Office
of the Society for the Prevention o
Cruelty to Children and ask them tt
raid your house. What in thunder art
you going to do with the baby-tak'
him along with you?"
Hardly" replied Edmonton. Hi
two grandmothers, II take care of hin
all right. It's the biggest snap yo'
ever heard Of" he continued. "Theyv
been here month now. and neither o
them wants TO go before the other. ant
they're both of them ashamed to sa.
so. don't want either of tn I'm TO &c
Say! Talk about having a kid iakel
care of! They won't even lie, Emmi
take the youngster nights. That's a
homes, fact and they're just too polit
to each other. You see, Emma's moth
er knows that my mother feels bad be
cause the little chap is such IA thoroug
Swafield, and my mother feels in he
heart she ought to give up TO Emmie
mother, because anyone could see tina
the baby doesn't favor his mother
folks in a particle. but is just an Eo
monton all over, bless his sweet hear
They pity each other-that's no josi
don't know whether they ever got Il
gether and fixed up schedule or no
but il looks like it almost from III
way they take turns about 10 tend hl
imperial highness.
And say!" Edmonton continued. "
amt only the baby, but it's things
general. That blamed nurse went ki
ing about an hour and half after MT
SWatfield got in the house, and tf
woman we got In to help Mary wer
after her. was going to fire Mar.