GOLDEN-HAIRED, blue-eyed, sweet-mouthed Baby Ralph lay, a cunning little
white heap, in his willow cradle.
While he slept, papa and mamma came softly into the room--dropped the
lightest and sweetest of kisses on the dear baby face, then stole
quietly out and away to the big city. Did Baby Ralph like this? You will
hardly think so when you read his letter. Here it is:
"MY OWN PAPA AND MAMMA,--Does you want to hear 'bout me? You
thinked I didn't know you runned way off and left your little baby
boy all 'lone. But I did. And I waked up and cried--and cried. And
Auntie May looked sober--and grandma looked sober--and grandpa
whistled--and I cried hard. Then Auntie May put something in my
bottle. 'Twas good, and I didn't cry. But Auntie May bringed water,
and put some on my face, and I didn't like it. And I cried
awful--so awful Auntie May stopped. Wish you's here, 'cause I don't
feel good. If my papa and my mamma's here I'd feel gooder--wouldn't
fuss any bit. Wish you's here, I do, to kiss your own