The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-28


bare, hut the pink soIea were protected by
sandals fastened with straps across the
toes and ankles.
Good morning. > said John. again smiling
and hoping he had not stared too rudely.
1T gives me great pleasure to meet you.
my names Chick" replied the child
laughing in sweet trills, while the blue eyes
regarded the gingerbread a with evident
wonder.
That's a funny name said John.
-Yes, it Is funny the child agreed, with
a friendly nod. Chick means a chicken
you know. But I'm not a chicken.
"Of course not" returned John. a
chicken is covered with feathers. And'you
are not
At this Chick laughed merrily and said.
a. II II were the simplest thing in the world;
"I'm the Incubator Baby, you know.
Dear me, I hadn't the least idea OF IT,
John answered gravely. May ask what
an Incubator Baby lisp"
The child squstted down in the sand,
Rugged its chubby knees and uttered pea
after peal Of joyous laughter.
How funny" it gurgled: how Iunny
that you don't know what the
Baby Ia. You must be fresh baked
Il am. : said John, feeling rather ashamed
TO acknowledge the fact but resolving to he
truthful.
Then. OF course, you are very ignorant,
remarked the Fresh Air Fiend. rubbing his
big head complacently. ,
aOh, as for that" said John, Il acquired
in course Of manufacture a vast deal oil
ancient learning which l got from an
Arabian elixir with which the baker mixed
me-. I am well posted in all events down
to Il Q last century, but l cannot recall any
knowledge OF an Incubator Baby
mo. they're a recent invention, declared
the big headed man, patting tenderly the
child's golden curls. Were you by any
chance, at the Pan-American Exposition!
Or the Louisiana Purchase Exposition
mo- answered John. MY knowledge
was corked up about then
We'll" continued the man. there we're a
rood many incubator babies at both those
expositions, and lots Of people saw them
But Chick is the first and only Original
Incubator Baby, and 30 Chick properly be-
longs in the Isle Of Phreex.
Chick jumped up, made a stin bow, and
with eyes sparkling with mischief eX-
claimed:
I'm Q years old. and quite strong and
we'll"
tut, tut, Chick!' demonstrated the big
headed giant, 1T was more than two years
ago you were taught to make that speech
You can't be always Q years oldl'
The little sprite enjoyed the joke so
much that John was forced to laugh in sym
pathy. But just then a thought struck
him, and he asked, a little ~nervously;
DO you Ike gingerbread7'
Il don't know" replied Chick. Are YOU
gingerbread"
Il am" said John bravely.
.Then ] like gingerbread the child de-
clared; for you smell sweet and look kim
and gentle
John didn't know whether to accept th!'
as a compliment or not. He was sorry
TO learn that he smelled sweet, although
to be called kind and gentle was grateful
praise.
Some folks" he remarked timidly
have an idea they like gingerbread
Il couldn't eat you, the child said seriously
because, being the Incubator Baby, l hav'
to be very careful OF my diet. You Nigh
not agree with me-"
I'm sure I couldn't agree with any on
who ate me-" John declared. For al
though as vet 1 have had no experience o
that sort, it seems to me a very undesirable
fate
Very true remarked the big heade'
man
Let's be friends!' exclaimed Chick
coming close to John n taking his sof
brown hand in a firm clasp. I'll TAX
care OF you
John looked down at the merry littl
elf in positive wonder.
We'll be friends, all right said he
but, instead OF your taking care Of me
Chick, I'll take care of you