Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-03-11
THE BABY
DID 1T
BY EUNICE BLAKE

"ieeh VI persons dying of starvation
VINO had been very prominent and
upon whom money had flowed like wa.
Ter. can especially remember actors
anu actresses who have furnished such
examples. But let person find him
seir without money and without friends
ana he realizes the condition he ia in
Few there are who keep their heads
Mt such times.
Tom Williams was one of these ,ast
named persons. His father died in
Solvent when he was ready to enter
college. Nevertheless Tom went to COL
iege- Where he was to get tho money
from to pay his way he hadn't the
faintest idea. His pluck attracted at
tentlon and interested others In him.
He was full of resource and could in
vent ways to get out of holes. Often
ne 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 trip to Europe was
in order. He had taken a prize during
his last year, and with this he bought
ticket on steamer to Naples. He
walked over Switzerland and Italy
and one day found himself in Genoa
ready to go home, but having not a
cent with which to pay his passage
A steamer was to sail that afternoon,
and Tom strolled aboard Of her Be
sides the passengers who were booked
to go 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 on an upper deck
on which opened windows of state
rooms. Hearing baby cry behind
him, he turned and saw a woman en-
deavoring to soothe the child She
was delicate looking young mother,
and the child seemed to trouble her
Tom smiled at the baby. and it stop
ped crying.
Let me take your baby" said Tom
to the lady. I'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 "All ashore that's 60
ing!" but paid no attention to it. 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 It's mother. The child seemed
to be in a very good humor. The
mother expressed her gratitude.
81 must go over without nurse"
she said, land l don't know what
shall do. My nurse left me on the
eve of sailing, and I had no time to
get another am usually seasick, and
a seasick person is powerless to take
care of a baby"
Madam" replied Tom, 81 am at
your service. l have been making a
pedestrian tour of Europe. l came to
Genoa to take a steamer home. but
ran out of funds. l came aboard this
ship Just to see how it would feel to
be on vessel bound for home. l was
about to go ashore when l heard your
baby cry. When those who were to
go ashore were directed to do so | was
amusing your child and had not the
heart to obey the order. | presume l
shall have to work my passage as
steward or, probably worse, as
stoker. l would much rather take
situation with you as nurse"
There was something so amusing in
this stalwart fellow, who had played
football while in college. strapped on
an ocean liner and ready to hire him
self to take care of a baby tnat the
lady laughed. But she snapped at the
proposition.
"I'll pay your passage end 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 a whole
stateroom for Tom and the baby when
it was necessary that he should have
it with him. No sooner had all been
arranged than the ship began to roll.
The lady became seasick. and If ever
there was gratitude to Providence
from woman she experienced it at
being relieved of the care of her child.
The passage was rough one. and
Tom kept the baby with him day ana
night. A few days before reaching the
American shore the weather moder-
ated, and the mother went on deck
She was so grateful to Tom for what
he had done and appreciative OF what
he had endured that she paid stew
ardess to relieve him occasionally
when off duty. This enabled him to
sit on deck with his employer, and ne
learned something about her. She was
a well to do widow about Toms age.
And Tom told her all about himself
how he had got through college, now
he had made tour in Europe and
how he now proposed to go to work.
She asked him if he were not going to
get a profession in the same way, but
he said he was tired Of running so
close TO the wind and was going to