The Virginia enterprise., 1907-12-06
The Baby of Incubator Four ;
Copyright, by Daily Story Pub co.,
BY Dennis H. Stovall

Copyright, by d
After Office hours, Dimmick found
recreation strolling down Chestnut
street to see the incubator babies. He
became such a regular patron that
the lady at the door advised him to
purchase "a season ticket" He was
always down there between five and
six--just before returning to his quar-
ters for dinner He kept perfect
mental record of all the babies as
they came and went If there was an
empty incubator in the long row that
lined one wall of the hospital, he was
among the first to detect it.
Incubator No. was empty for Ave
days, and Dimmick about despaired of
seeing it filled again. Then a tenant
appeared. 1t was very small bit of
humanity-weighed only three pounds,
so the nurse informed him. But it
was healthy baby and, moreover,
the prettiest baby that had been
brought in for some time. Nearly all
the babies in the row wore blue rib
bons. because they were girls: but
this one wore pink 1t pleased Dim
mick to know that it was a boy
Dimmick's interest increased with
the arrival of the new ward in No. 4.
He would stand long time before the
glass door, admiring the baby nestled
on the pillow, much like a jewel in a
shop window. Sometimes the little
fellow opened his eyes and looked
wonderingly through his glass cage
into the mans face. The eyes were
brown and large, and there was some
thing In their gaze that went straight
TO Dimmick's heart. 1t won him COM
pletely. He fell in love with the tot,
and made early application for him.
Dimmicks housekeeper called for
No. when it had been four months
at the incubator hospital. All ar
rangements were made. He had pre-
sented the necessary credentials, and
convinced the incubator management
that he was fully competent to give
No. the required care and attention.
The babys parentage did not enter
into the agreement, and Dimmick
made no inquiry concerning it. He
wanted the baby, that was all. and
was supremely happy when the
youngster was brought to his house.
isn't he a fine fellow" said he;
isn't he just dandy?' Whereupon
his housekeeper smiled curiously.
The baby crowed loudly, as if we'll
pleased with his new quarters.
What will we call him." Dimmick
continued. I'VE must get him some
other name than No. 4, eh, Billy?
That's the ticket-Billy; just fits that
smile of his" The youngster laughed
aloud, and Dimmick laughed with
him.
Say, Billy, you're the real metal
nothing counterfeit about YOU" BY
which the newly-named Billy was to
understand that Dimmick was a bank
cashier.
Several new articles appeared on the
mantel, to keep Dimmick's pipe and
tobacco pounch constant company.
The most used was a long-necked bot
tie with a rubber nipple. Also, there
were other bottles and walls, and as
the baby grew, use was found for all
of them.
During the day Billy was cared for
by the housekeeper, but Dimmick took
the night shift. He gave the baby his
first feed Immediately on his return
from the bank; then another at seven,
and after romp before the fire, Billy
was tucked away for the night. Like
all babies, he had the collie at times,
the attack usually seizing him be-
tween two and three in the morning.
AT such times Dimmick was almost
become of the wish that Billy was No.
4 again, and back in his incubator,
down on Chestnut street.
But Dimmick knew precisely the
course of treatment-five drops of
peppermint in a teaspoonful of sweet
ened warm water, followed by a drink
of hot catnip tea. ''It's sure great
stuff to pull the pains out of kids
stomach" he assured the bank presi.
dent, when the latter told of his
troubles with colicky baby.
Dimmick's visits to the incubator
establishment ceased after the arrival
of Billy. I've a baby show of my
own now," he told the nurse, when
she came to inquire into the young
ster's welfare.
THE mother of No. 4 called at the
hospital this afternoon" said the
nurse one evening, when she called
on her regular visit of inspection.
Dimmick was busy giving Billy his
meal, and made no reply.
"She desired very much to see him.
and was greatly disappointed when
she learned that he had been taken
away" the nurse continued. Though
she signed complete release of the
tot when we took it, and assured the
officials that she had not the means
to support it, she now begs that it be
returned to her.
Dimmick raised his head and looked
at the nurse intently Wants him re-
turned, eh? Wants Billy? No, we
can't do it, poor woman"
He pressed the baby closer to him.