The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-07-22
TEE EVENING STORY
Naming the Baby.
(By Donald Allen.)


the victim-when a name is to be de-
cided on for the newcomer. 1t is gen.
orally felt that a name will make or
blast a life.
To name a boy baby Moses or
Joshua is to handicap him through
the next 80 years. 1t is even worse to
name a girl baby Samantha or Be-
linda. She'll grow up to be an old maid
and a mean one and no one can really
blame her for breaking up happy
homes and harmonious church choirs.
The course of true love had run
smooth in the case of Gordon Kane
and Susie Thornton. No opposition
whatever, and everybody saying it was
a splendid match. Plenty of funds to
make a modest bridal tour, and
enough left over to furnish a cottage
and pay the first months rent No
dispute to which corner of the par
lor the piano was to be placed. Not
the slightest disagreement about hang
ing the pictures. In perfect accord
that the icebox was a jewel of the
fairest water.
Life with the couple was like a
dream until that girl baby came and
had reached the proud and respecta-
BILE age of ten days and nights.
Susie's mother held her breath for
a week and then said: "Of course, you
will call her Ethel. You know how
fond 1 have always been of the name"
I'VE haven't decided yet, mother
"Well, don't let it go too long. It's
certainly a risky thing to have baby
around without a name"
Gordon's mother dropped in. She
had spent the best part of three days
hunting up names for girl babies and
making out a list of Is.
Gordon tells you haven't de-
cided on a name YETI she said,
NO
You shouldn't neglect it another
day. 1 have known of four cases
where babies died from not being
named soon enough. At least the
doctors said they could find nothing
else wrong 1 think you ought to call
her Ruth"
I'VE will see about it,
The Methodist minister. who was a
young man and unmarried, was about
to call and suggest the name of Rachel,
when Miss Euridyce Hastings called at
his boarding house.
Pastor, don't you think it the duty
of parents to select more Biblical
names for their children"
There does seem to be a dearth of
Biblical Names" agreed the pastor.
I'D give anything If 1 had been
named Rebecca L try my hardest to
live up to my religion. but when folks
call me Fury sometimes 1 lose my
temper
you have been spoken of as a very
consistent Christian"
80 thankful / am naturally de-
vout, and 1 am glad if the fact is rec
ognized. Do you think 1 ought to
change my name to Rebecca?'
No, I don't think would
Thanks. 1 think it was a great
mistake my parents made, and 1 have
called to see if you won't struggle
f0 hnl "a
the same mistake.
lis there a case in point?" he asked.
There is. 1t is the case of the Cor
don Kanes."
"Ah, but I was about to call there
and send in a suggestion to the moth
er to name the little one Rachel
Then let us make the call togeth-
er. Oh! 1 do hope we may get this
village to seeing things in their proper
light! What the cause of religion
needs is more Biblical names to breed
a feeling of more reverence, and I am
spare time to it,
Il am glad L have such a worker in
the field"
Pastor. 1 have often felt and had
others say to me that L ought to be a
pastor s-dear me, but what am L say
ing,''
Mrs. Kane was not ready to receive call
ers and sent out word to that effect
Tell her it's about the baby" said Miss
Euridyce-
Mrs. Kane returned word that the baby
was all right
Tell her that the Rev. Mr.. Robinson
and Miss Euridyce Hastings have called
to suggest a name"
Mrs Kane returned word that she lad
a list of about 100 to select from.
-, TEL her that it is the ferXent hope OF
Hastings that she will select Biblical
name-Rachel for preference"
With that the callers took their de-
parture, and when outside the gate Miss
Euridyce clasped her hands and rolled her
eyes.
oh. I SO hope that we can pluck the
brand. Believe me. pastor L shall never.
never cease the struggle.
fngs.
incidents of the day.
They can all keep away. They must
think us a couple of numskulls that we
can't name our own baby" he said.
Is it to be Biblical name, Gordon
Not by a jugful"'
Il thought of calling her Clara
Well, haven't. That name always
sounded flat to me-
ITS a sweet name
Its flat name"
What have you got in mind, tben?'
Nothing at all. There's no hurry Let
her grow little
Gordon L insist that she shall have a
name" said the wife.
And l insist that she shan't-'
Anu then the outsiders stepped in. They
always do Susies mother came that
evening and found her in tears
You come right home with mel If you
have married a man that won't let you