The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-16

N6W OiltdHSf Jule lbs-NDpCNAfaA'( AIS-~ to myself, l doubt if I should once have strayed from the old French quarter of New Orleans. True, some novel and un- tried offering in the food line might have enticed me across Canal street a few blocks For after few days ac- quaintance with the Crescent City Called so because the Mississippi embraces the town into the form of the young moons sickleJ, you cease trying to deafen your self to the call of the stomach.
 You no longer run past the pastry piled windows of the Northropic Cabar- rus company Or wear binders in the vicinity of the fruit and praline vendors. Or carry your nose tightly between thumb and finger in passing some Lu- cullan kitchen where craWtish are being done in new way.
 You merely sigh, as person who has given over his soul to the arch tempter and enjoys with the abandon of one past all redemption.
 But surely" cried my guides, you want to see the magnificent modern residence section-one of the most charming, luxurious--"
 1 shook my head, and planned to have "oeufs Purgatore' for dinner.
 You would not leave without seeing our exquisite city park, the duellng oaks the Country club, the cemetery which Is built upon an old race track?'
 1 answered negatively, meditating on how they prepare that salad of artl- chokes and caviar.
 And the National Baby An! We perceive you are interested in the National Baby!' cried my cicerones trl- umphantly.
 The National Baby is no less than the son of James Thomson, publisher of the New Orleans Item" and husband of GeneVieve Clark, daughter and adored chum of the well-known Champ LAWMAKERS HAD GOOD TASTE
 So 1 boarded one of those obliging belt" street cars which take you every where you like and return you to that dear Canal street all for one nickel, five cents, and rode to General Taylor street Ga chapter should be written on the pie turesque street names of this town.
 Mrs. Genevieve herself opened the door of her simple, charming apartment home. These New Orleans apartments are not the boxlike things of New York, but have porches and lawns with palni~~eeS and flowers. 1 knew her instantly, not alone from the 467 photographs l had seen, but from a simple, sincere charm of manner of which l had been told and which no picture of her fully reflects.
 The National Baby was out at the moment, companied by an adorlng col ored nurse. Pending his return we in spected that wonder box of golden gifts, young Champ Clark Thomson's birthday present from the United States House of Representatives
 Never before has the House made present to a baby. One wonders how that august body ever went about the unparalleled occupation of shopping for a baby's plate, knife, forklet spoon, cup, napkin ring and rattle!!! Don't you love them for thinking of the rattle9
 In point of taste and comprehensive utility, you or 1 couldn't have made better selection! Each piece is of plain, smooth gold, engraved in tiny letters, Presented by the United States House of Representatives. On the outside of the chest a more detailed presentation is inscribed. This states little Champs full name and the date of his birth February 13, 1917
 WANTS HIM DEMOCRATIC
 "One thing we haven't quite decided" said Baby Champs young mother as l regarded the pristine gloss of the golden gifties, whether to let him use them or put them in the safe deposit vault
 Which way would he get most pleas ure from them-to cut his teeth on them and bang happily with his mug upon his plate? Or to have them, unblem- ished when he is old enough to appre- ciate their preciousness?"
 It was too grave a question for me to decide. I was dumb
 'I do hate to have anything that can't be used, Mrs. Thomson added And vet it does seem a pity tS have them or namented with teeth marks and dents.
 Besides, I want him to be a demo- cratic baby, and appreciate the realities of life in preference to its l1xuries and softnesses It sometimes seem dreadful to me to think how much my baby has while thousands of poor babies don't even have fair chance for health and educa tion,"
 Joyfully I looked at my earnest eyed hostess, for there spoke the true Gene vieve Clark the nation knows with such affection.