The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-09-01
PAUL AND PAULINA OR 4
WHICH WAS WHICH. i
By Ethel Thomas.


"Aihoj wv SIodncu JOuu DdlCOu us
he stood by his wife's bed and gazed
in awe at the two little bundles Of
pink and white, nesting in the cradle.
No father was ever more agreeably
surprised and his assumed look Of
gravity and dismay was comical to
say the least. Mary saw the twinkle
in her husbands eyes and smiled.
The good doctor laughed.
CHA, ha! Well, two babies are not
so many for couple who have been
married five years. Now, there's
Sam Brown and wife been married
six years and have six!' "Sam
Brown to the dickens Doctor don't
mention that drunken brutc's ba-
bies in the same breath with mine!'
"Poor Sam!' mused the doctor, "He
was only moderate drinker at first,
John, just like other and better men
have been. [ remember so well when
the first baby came to his house. a
few nights before, he had gone home
beastly drunk for the first time. He
was noble young man and thorough
ly ashamed of himself, and when he
looked on his blue-eyed baby boy, a
perfect miniature Of himself, the tears
flowed freely down his cheeks and
kneeling to kiss the little one, he
whispered to his wife that he would
never get drunk again. For a long
time, Sam kept his word, but his do
nestle life was such that he was driv-
Ell to the wine cup again and seemed
to be in desperate hurry to drink
himself to death. Now, he is mis-
cradle wreck beyond all hope Of re-
demption. And, John, / am more
sorry for Sam Brown than could be
for Il man who had always had peace
and happiness around his fircside and
had deliberately chosen an intcmper-
ate life and indulged in habits that
brought desolation, misery and dcs-
pair.'
A guilty flush suffused John Dal-
tons face as he glanced at the doc
tor, wondering if "that sermon' was
meant for him. He had never been
drunk-never expected to be-and if
he chose to take an occasional drink
nothing in the doctors face to war;
rant the suspicion and with a sigh Of
relief John exclaimed: "Gecwilikins!
doctor, of course Sam has my pro-
oil hx, h,,f bo
ly honest and confess that at present
I'm more interested in thcse--these-
here' pointing to the babies. Glow
are we ever to tell i'm apart Zounds
man! there aint a particle Of differ
ence-thcy precisely alike!' stam-
mered John in confusion.
The doctor was enjoying poor
John s embarrassment and always on
thc lookout for an opportunity to
tease, would have had some fun at
Johns expense, had not Mary caught
her husbands hand, drew him toward
her and whispered:
"There's a difference in the sex,
dear!'
"Thank the Lord! 7 never thought
of that,' fervently calculated the Ia
ther, wiping imaginary drops Of pers-
piration from his brow.
"And III bet quarter there's not
an ounce Of difference in their weight.
which is almost seven pounds each,'
said, tho doctor.
(Which is the boy doctor9' asked
John, a quizical expression in his blue
eyes. The old fellow came and look
ed down on the little darlings and
frowncd. "Blessed If know, man!
Aunt Dilsie-'' "Yas sir-dis un am
de boy-I dressed him fust yo' know
to keep 'em frum gittin mixed up,
'se gwine ter keep day hoy chile at
one end ov de cradle, an de gal at
de 'uddcr end. ain't nebber had no
'sperunse wild twins, an de- Lawd
only knows how 7 Sc gwinc ter man.
age 'cm. Jakc--hc out in de kitchen
dis mint cuttin de pigeon wing kase
dar's two twins, sayin' he gwine to
take dat boy chile clean outtcn Miss
Mary's han $ an 'icyc her ov all de
trubblc soon as hit kin sot up. Rcck-
in it's good think dar am one apiece
fur me an Jake to spilc-kasc. if dar
WIS only one we'd shortly have it
ruint tcctotlc,' said the black nurse.
who with her husband, Unklc Jake
lived in q coZy log-cabin short dis
tance from the Daltnn'S and on the