The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1914-03-06
THE BABY
DID IT
By EUNICE BLAKE


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 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 resource and could in
vent ways to get out of holes. Often
he would not know where 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 prize during
his last year. and with this he bought
a ticket on a 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 a 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 go
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 its mother. The child seemed
to be in very good humor. The
mother expressed her gratitude.
81 must go over without nurse,
she said. land | don't know what
shall do. My nurse left me on the
get another am usually seasick. and
a seasick person is powerless to take
care of baby"
Madam" replied Tom, 81 am al
your service. | have been making 8
pedestrian tour of Europe. l came tt
Genoa to take a steamer home, bu1
ran out of funds. l came aboard this
ship just to see how it would feel tt
be on a vessel bound for home. l was
about to go ashore when l heard YOU
baby cry. When those who were tt
go ashore were directed to do so l was
amusing your child and had not the
heart to obey the order. | presume
shall have to work my passage as
steward or. probably worse, as {
stoker. | would much rather take {
situation with you as nurse"
There was something so amusing IL
this stalwart fellow, who had played
football while in college. strapped OF
an ocean liner and ready to hire him
self to take care of baby that thu
lady laughed. But she snapped at thu
proposition.
It'll pay your passage and double
nurses wages" she said.
1.-The passage money will do" Tol
replied.
The lady sent for the purser and wa
fortunate enough to secure who'll
stateroom for Tom and the baby whel
it was necessary that he should hav
it with him. No sooner had all BEEF
arranged than the ship began to roll
The lady became seasick, and If eve
there was gratitude to Providenc
from a woman she experienced it a
being relieved of the care of her child
The passage was rough one. ant
Tom kept the baby with him day an
night. A few days before reaching th
American shore the weather moder
ated. and the mother went on deck
She was so grateful to Tom for wha
he had done and appreciative Of wha
! he had endured that she paid stew
ardess to relieve him Occasionall
! when Off duty. This enabled him
} sit on deck with his employer, and b
, learned something about her. She wa
well to do widow about Toms age
And Tom told her all about himself
: how he had got through college, HOY
, he had made tour in Europe an
| how he now proposed to go to worl
, She asked him If he were not going
, get profession in the same way, bu
, he said he was tired of running S
close to the wind and was going
work.
, However, the widow asked him t
, call upon her after they reached por
, and Tom accepted the invitation. 81
had not known her long before sh