The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-03-27
THE BABY
DID 1T
BY EUNlG BLAKE

We live on the brink Of ruin all the
while without realizing it. have read
often of persons dying Of starvation
who had been very prominent and
upon whom money had flowed like wa
ter. l can especially remember actors
and actresses who have furnished such
examples. Put let a person find him.
self without money and without friends
and he realizes the condition he is in.
Few there are who keep their heads
at such times.
Tom Williams was one of these last
named persons. His father died in
solvent when he was ready to enter
college. Nevertheless Tom went to col
lege. Where he was to get the money
from to pay his way he hadn't the
faintest idea. His pluck attracted at
tention and interested others in him.
He was full Of esource and could in
vent ways to get out Of holes. Often
he would not know where q meal was
coming from. but after being gradual
ed he could not remember his having
gone hungry for any considerable time.
Having finished his college course. he
concluded that a trip to Europe was
in order. He had taken a prize during
bis last year. and with this he bought
a ticket on a steamer to Naples. He
walked over Switzerland and Italy
and n day found himself in Genoa
ready to 20 home. but having not a
cent with which to pay his passage
A steamer was to sail that afternoon.
and Tom Str0lled aboard Of her. Be-
to 20 over. there were persons aboard
to bid them gOodby. Tom envied .ev.
cry person he saw coming aboard car.
rying hand baggage.
He was standing or an upper deck
on which opened windows Of state
rooms. Hearing 4 baby cry behind
him. he turned and saw q woman en-
deavOrtng to sOOthe the child. She
was a delicate looking young mother.
and the child seemed to trouble her
Tom smiled ut the baby. and It stop
ped crying.
LET me take your baby" said Tom
to the lady. It'll walk with it on the
deck. I'm fond of children"
The lady assented. and Tom. taking
the child. left her. sauntering about.
letting the child look at the crowds on
the dock and otherwise amusing him.
He heard the "AIl ashore that's 60
ing!" but paid no attention to 1t. The
ship moved out into the bay. and still
Tom walked the baby. When the open
sea was reached he took the baby
back to its mother. The child seemed
to be in Z very good humOr. The
mother expressed her gratitude.
II must 90 over without q nurse"
she said. land I don't know what l
shall do. Ny nurSs left me on the
eve Of sailing. and l had no time to
get another. am usually sessick. and
a seasick person u powerIess to take
care Of a baby"
Madam" replied Tom. II an at
your service. I have been making q
pedestrian tour Of Europe. came to
Genoa to take q steamer home. but
ran out Of funds. l came aboard this
ship Just to see how It would feel to
be on q vessel bound for home. l was
about to go ashore when ! heard your
baby cry. When those who were to
90 ashore were directed to do % I was
amusing your child and had not the
heart to obey the order. presume l
shall have to work my passage ~ q
steward or. probably worse. - q
stoker. l would much rather take q
situation with you as nurse"
There was something 80 amusing In
this stalwart fellow. who had played
football while in college. strapped on
an e liner and ready to hire him
self to take care of q baby that the
lady laughed. But she snapped at the
proposition.
"Tll pay your passage and double
nurses wages" she said
1.-THE passage money will do" Tom
replied.
The lady sent for the purser and was
fortunate enough to secure q whole
stateroom for Tom and the baby when
it was necessary that he should have
It with him. No Don had oil been
arranged than the ship began to roll.
The lady became seasick. and IL ever
there was gratitude to Providence
from q M she experienced It at
being relieved of the q n Of her child
The passage vas q rough one. and
Tom kept the baby with him day and
night. A few days before reaching the
American shore the weather moder
ated. and the mother went on deck
She was 50 grateful to Tom for what
he had done and appreciative OF Wha'
he had endured that she paid q stew
ardess to relieve him occasionally
when OF duty. This enabled him t.
sit on deck with his employer. and ht
learned something about her. She waf
q well to do widow about Toms ase.
And Tom told her all about himself
how he had got through college. how
he had made u tour in Europe and
how he now proposed to go to work
She asked him IL he were not going t.
get a profession In the same way. bu,
he said he was tired Of running ~
49, - A. -@>A o~A ~1ou Wn3n0 n