Year: 1874

The Utica Herald of November 3Oth has
the following. One of the best Looking and
most sought-atter young business men in Utica
had his gailantry put to severe test Friday.
A charming married lady friend wagered 6t:
teen dollars with him that he dare not carry
her baby through Genesec street, from Baggs
,oOneida square Whether the gentleman felt
particularly brave aud happy after his enjoy
ment Of Thanksgiving festivities. or for some
other reason, We know not, but certain it is
that he accepted the challenge and carried the
baby, but-such work as he made Of it! The
baby in question is the protest little seven
mouths mortal iD Utica. Its father is one Of
the wittest uad hDest-looking men 10 the coun-
try, tut the baby gets its loveliest charms from
its mother The boy is the pride of its par
eut' hearts, and if kisses wjud stick its lips
would be covered with rock caudy to the
depths of six inches every day. The young
gentleman who was challenged eUvies the faith
er. mother aud baby every day OF his life.
When he started out from Bagg's Hot el with
the chirpiDg cherub 10 bis arms his face was
rosy with bushes and radiant with happiness.
The mother aud other trleuds of the child were
to follow iD a carriage to see that the task was
completed according to the terms OF the wager
and they did not lose sight of the toier for a
momcut. At the outset the child weighed about
twenty-five pounds.


The supposed father aud his elegantly dressed
baby attracted general attention upon the busi
ness portion OF Geuesec street. The gentle
mans friends were not certain that they had
heard Of his marriage, and he had been seen
at the Opera House frequently of late, and
each tine with dlfferen. charmer; but this
must have been owing to the absence of his
wife and-the baby, probably. While conver-
saton after this style was going Oh in the
stores, the bachelor reached the City Hail. and
at that particular moment he was ready to as
sert positively that the child would weigh sew
enty-fve pounds. From this point upward
was the tug of War. The hour chosen was Que
10 which he generally takes an airing, and ali
of his window friends expected to see him,
but-not with baby. Then the baby conl-
menced to get uneasy, and it was hard work
to hold it out at arms length and call it
"Swcey," 'Ducky," Darling" &c., &c.
Three or four merry maidens in au uptown
ner that the perspiripg toiler knew that he Was
seen; but do we'll or do i'll, he was bound to
win, and win he did.


Those who witnessed the affair in all of its
stages, cay that it was difficult to tell at times
whether the child vas upright or reversed,
perpendicular or horizontal, for the reason
that its position was changed SO frequently.
Its ordinarily sweet voice was harsh and crisp
before Cottage street was reached, and but for
the true grit which the gentleman possesses
aud the love he bears fo- the lady, it is be-
lieved that the baby would have been tossed
into convenient fountain-anything for a
change. All the young ladies upon Geuesee
street seemed to be standing in their windows
as he passed. Opposite Eagle street be met
particular lady friend in carriage, and then
tie baby weighed a full ton.


When the mother received her darling child
from the hands of the brave one, cold aud
huge drops Of perspiration poured from every
pore OF his face; his necktie Was gone and his
collar unbuttoued. The coutents of the Phil
adephia Mint would not tempt him to return
down the street with similar accompaniment.
The wager was paid, and the mother and her
baby rode down town, while the brave bache
lor wended his way back to his place of busi-
ness through Park avenue aud other quiet
streets, solitary, thoughtful and alone. The
next time he carries baby through Genesee
street his friends may be certain that it is his
own, aud that the other stockholder in the
cberub is within reach