LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2622, 1 September 1882, Page 4

LITERATURE.

A CKISIB CAUSED BY A BABY,

Mr Jonathan T, Ward, or, as his cord more modernly expressed it, “J. Templeton Ward, Jun.,” looked like a man supremely satisfied with his fortune and himself. He had just received a particularly gratifying letter from hla slater In New York, calling him to tho city on a flattering errand, and as he entered the cars this pleasant October morning the universe seemed Irradiated with his own private sense of happiness. The only drawback to his perfect enjoyment was the fact that on this train there was no parlor-csr. It was vexatious to he obliged to breathe the same atmosphere with the common herd, and to submit his personality to the proximity of pea nut-eating rustics, travel-worn pilgrims, not mannerly children, and the inevitable baby. He adapted himself to circumstances, however, like a man of the world, turning a seat, and elongating his fiuely-propoi turned form, so as to take up as much space as po sible. He dropped his hand-bag, cane, and light overcoat, carelessly In the vacaut corners, and thus comfortably I extended, even the public car seemed bearable, and he found himself able to contemplate his plebeian and more crowded neighbors with condescension. After a few moments his fingers Instinctively sought an inner pocket, and he reread tho letter which had so contributed to hla self-gratulation. It was from his favorite sister Rose, who had married Henry Molineanx, a wealthy broker, and whose happy married life had caused no diminution In her home affection. The Molineanx were in their way very grand people, grander than the Wards, for they counted larger store of shekels and lands and antique heirlooms, and Bose's alliance had been fully approved by her brother. Bose herself was a bit of a match maker, and bad long oheiished a dream of a doable connection between the two families by the marriage of her brother with her husband’s sister. Miss Winifred Molineanx, Unfortunately for her plars, shortly after her own wedding her husband’s family had sailed for Europe, remaining abroad four years, and the objects of her romantic schemes had never met. Very deftly, however, Mrs Bose Molineanx had managed her cards, keeping up Miss Winifred's interest in this unknown paragon by means of shrewd allusions and items of interest, but never waxing sufficiently enthusiastic to alarm the shy girl with appre hensions of a matrimonial pitfall arranged for her nnsnspecting feet. With her brother Mrs Mollnex’s manoeuvres had been less strategic and delicate. The ma'ter had been frankly discussed between them, and Mr J. Templeton Ward acknowledged himself prepared to become Miss Winifred’s willing slave at first sight. Indeed, he nearly persuaded himself that he was already in love with her, and he brooded over his sister’s letter with all the benign serenity of an accepted lover.

* Dear Templeton ’ —(wrote Mra Molinenx) — 1 Henry’s father and mother have at length returned from Europe, and have agreed to let me have Winifred for the Winter. I want you to drop everything else, and devote yourself to us, to escort Winifred to all the exhibitions, symphony rehearsals, receptions, &0,, of the season. She is looking remarkably well, and what ia better, has returned entirely heart free, I was afraid some French marquis would be attracted by her fortune, and snatch her up. I know that you are very sensitive on suoh matters, and will not thank me for telling you, but by the death of her uncle Robert In Pernambuco she has oome Into possession of 30,000 dollars, which, in addition to her expectations from Papa Molinenx, makes her a very pretty heiress, Do not let anything delay your coming. As What’s-hla name says, “A crisis comes once in the live of every man.” * There is a trite old saying in regard to oup and lip which I lorbear quoting, remarking only that it is a mistake to confide delicate porce’ain to baby fingers. Mr Ward’s cup would probably never have slipped had it not been for a baby, of whose influence upon his fate he was as yet unconscious. It was a sorry day for him when the three weird sisters converted Mr Templeton Ward’s cup of happiness—lnto a plaything for a ruthless and irresponsible baby. Mr Ward had drifted into a day-dream, when he was recalled suddenly to the actualities of the present day by a sweet voice at his elbow inquiring indifferently. ‘ls this seat engaged ? Turning sharply, he saw a dignified but youthful lady, with a face like one of Raphael’s Madonnas; His impressionable heart paid her homage at once, and he was about to spring to his feet with spontaneous politeness, when the pleasurable emotion was cheeked by one of dismay. She held In her arms a baby—well-dressed, neat, chubby, bright, and, to a parent’s eye, a cherub of a child ; to Mr J. Templeton Ward, his pet aversion and peculiar horror. He looked at the child with an expression of intense disapprobation. * I think yon will be more comfortable at the other end of the car,’ he remarked, slowly raising his eyeglasses and surveying the perspective of crowded seats. * I will try another car,’ replied the lady, with quiet dignity. Mr T empleton Ward’s good-breeding asserted itself. * Indeed, madam, I had not observed that there were no vacant seats. Pray do not imagine me so egregiocs'y selfishand the little lady was quickly seated as his visavis.

For some time the baby conducted itself In an exemplary manner, dramming on the window pane, and watching the rapidly whirling landscape, and Mr Templeton Ward had time to observe that the lady was dressed In that alleviated mourning which allows certain concessions to fashion and becomlngness in the toleration of white at throat and wrists, and solitaire pearls in either ear.

• Widowhood,’ he mused to himself—- * widowhood which has passed the first poignancy of grief, and has entered the lonely stsge which finds a solitary life almost unendurable,’ He noticed with keen, observant eye the catling sweep of the long jet lashes which shaded the delicately ronnded ivory cheek, and widowhood struck him as the most pathetic and attractive aspect under which he had ever considered woman, He determined for one hour at least to make her forget her unprotected condition. He endeavored first to propitiate tbe maternal effeotions.

‘ You have a fine little boy, madam-’ The lady smiled. 1 She Is a very good baby.’

Mr Ward was momentarily confused, ‘ Your little daughter resembles yon strikingly,’ he remarked. Again the rarely sweet smile flickered across the lady’s lips * You conld not compliment me in a more gratifying manner,’ she replied. He turned to the baby, and endeavored to Interest it In an exhibition of his watch and seals.

* What is her name V he asked, hoping that her reply might involve that of the mother.

I We call her Dimple. Don’t you think a baby the most delioious thing in the world T'

* Well, no, It had never occurred to me In that light before ; but you know I have not had the advantage of an acquaintance with Miss Dimple/ * Yon oonld not help liking her. She never orlea { she la absolutely angelic/ Mr Ward was on the point of remarking, ‘ I said she resembled you,’ but he checked himself ; they were not sufficiently Intimate yet for flattery,

The conversation became impersonal, and drifted through a wide range of subjects, Mr Templeton Ward becoming more and more interested in his travelling companion and quit 3 ignoring the presence of the baby. This j onng person at last became fidgety, and even cross.

‘ The precious Infant,’ exclaimed the lady; ‘how forgetful lam. She should have been fed twenty minutes ago.’ A basket was produced, and a little rummaging b- ought to light a nursing bottle, ‘Dear, dear,’ murmured the baby’s guardian ; ‘ here is the bottle, but where is the milk ? How stupid in Maggie to forget it,’ The baby, at the sight of the bottle, at first chirruped with gleeful excitement, then became frantically impatient, and finally buret into a roar of anger as the train panted at an out-of-the-way country station. ‘.X see farm house*, and cows grazing in the pastures,’ suggested Mr Ward; ‘perhaps I can obtain some milk for you.’ ‘ Oh, no, pray do not trouble yourself,’ replied the lady, ‘if you will kindly watch baby I can get it,’ And before he had time to Insist she was out of the oar and running toward one of the firm houses.

Wr Ward explained the situation to the conductor, who agreed to wait two minutes beyond the usual time, for her return. Two minutes, three mlnntes, four minutes passed and still she came not. The engineer sounded the whistle, the engineer shouted — * All aboard! I can’t wait any longer, t he’s had plenty of time. I must reach the next station before the up-traln, ’ he explained, and the train moved on. Mr J Templeton Ward gazed in a stupefied manner from the window. The baby howled. * Come, this will never do,’ he said, as he endeavored simultaneously to realise the situation and to quiet the distracting baby, his thoughts and words keeping up a running fugue somewhat in this manner : Thought— ‘ What can have detained her ?’ Aloud —‘ Precious little Pimple, so—’ Thought—‘ Where did she disappear to anyway ?’ ‘ Aloud—lt was. Shall have the pretty watch.’ Thought— ‘ Great Cassar ! Can it be —’ Aloud— ‘ Angelic little cherub !’ Thought— 4 a case of desertion.’ Aloud—‘Never cries—no never !’ Thought —* Of course not; she was a perfect lady. Impossible.’ Aloud —‘Shut up this minute, or I’ll— ’ Thought— ‘ What shall Ido with the consumed—’

Aloud—* —speak to you like a father.’ Thought—'—thing when I get to the city ?’ Aloud (to old lady who offers a peppermint) —‘Thank you ma’am. (To baby,) There, choke your blessed throat.’ Thought—‘What a figure I’ll cut at the depot ’ Alond (attempting to sing)—‘ Oh, where shaT rest be found? Byelo, byelo’ (shaking child violently) ; ‘ go to sleep. ’ Thought—‘ Suppose Koae should be at the station with Winifred to meet me !’ Alond—' Darling popiy wopsy, chickabiddy chnm ! See how fanny it looks in big man’s hat!’ (Extinguishes baby in his light colored high hat). Thought—* She said a baby was the most delightful thing in the whole world. Any woman who can lie like that la capable of deserting her own offspring.’ Alond (removing the hat) ‘ Good gracious t It’s black in the face ; It’s going into convulsions!’ 1 bought—‘l’d like to know what everybody is laughing at. If I had a pistol I’d shoot somebody.’ {To he continued,')