The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1903-06-17
THE RATHGEBkR TRIPLETS.
Proud Father Hears News While
Borrowing Baby Clothes.

une 1,s.> of East New York, in
Brooklyn, are confident that if Presi-
dent Roosevelt would just come around
and take a peep in at the family of
William Rathgeber. who lives in Drew
avenue, near Atlantic, he wouS take
a more hopeful view of the race suicide
matter, says the New York Times.
There is no race suicide going on in
the Rathgeber household. Until few
days ago there were nine little Rath-
gebers Now there are twelve, the
newest three having arrived together
Mr.. Rathgeber was comfortably seat
ed in the dining room reading his news
paper the other morning when the
nurse opened the door and stuck her
head in.
Its a boy she announced.
"Hooray!' exclaimed Mr.. Rathgeber
throwing down his paper and rushing
out to be congratulated by the neigh
bors. He was making a house to house
hand shaking tour when one of his
young sons overlook him.
''Hey, pop" he said breathlessly.
there's another one of 'emw
Another whatT' asked Mr.. Rath-
geber.
"She said it was girl this time"
"Wow" yelled Mr.. Rathgeber, max
ing a bee line for home.
AS clothing for only one baby had
been provided the second arrival caused
some embarrassment and confusion.
Mr.. Rathgeber was sent out hot foot
to borrow baby apparel from the neigh
bors. He was rushing from house to
house when another of his many sons
ran up to him.
"They says for you to get clothes
enough for another one while you're
at it," announced the youngster.
what! For another oneY gasped
Mr.. Rathgeber.
"Yep; there's three OF 'em now" re-
turned the boy.
Mr.. Rathgeber started back over the
route and gathered together enough
clothing for half a dozen babies. At
the rate they were coming he felt that
there might be that many there when
he got back to the house. But the
third baby, boy, was the last. The
father rushed off for his pastor and
had him at once christen the new ar
rivals. They were named respectively
Peter, Mary and Charles. Then he
had the three photographed together
and finally was for hosting the flag
on the roof and setting off bunch or
two of firecrackers, but was prevailed
upon to forego this demonstration OF
fatherly pride.
Mr.. Rathgeber has mailed the fol-
lowing letter to the chief executive at
Washington to await his home coming
from the west:
Dear Mr. PRESIDENT have always been
q great admirer of yours, as l think all
good German-Americans are, regardless
| OF politics. because of your healthy, hon
est manIiness. We who have to work
| with our hands cannot bear snob or one
who toadies to any man or power.
1t is part of this character of yours to
| advocate the responsibilities of family
| care for husbands and wives. and by lay
! ing down the law in the way you have
| you have increased our respect for you,
which was already great. This is espe-
| cialy true as we see that you pracuce
| what you preach.
| / know you will be glad to hear that I,
q poor wheeiwright. who have already
had the JOY of nine children, now with
my dear wife welcome three more Peter,
| Charles and Mary, at one time, into the
world We have none of the fancy things
of life. but we have the necessary com
| forts. and among these our little ones are
far from the least, according to our way
| Of thinking.
1 have often enjoyed the pictures OF
your happy looking family in the papers.
and 1 send you mine, from loyal Amer
lean, hoping you will enjoy seeing our
latest arrivals Very respectfully yours,
SIR. WILLIAM RATHGEBER'