My ship of life was laden to the water's edge with labors of varying utility. We founded the Apollo Club, a musical and literary organization including in its membership the most prominent men and women of the city; we gave entertainments with our orchestra, singing society, and costumed dramatic stars, which gave us ample funds to pay for numerous delightful steamboat excursions, sleigh-rides and picnics, while developing our latent talents, and greatly enhancing the social life of our community.
I refer to this with much pleasure, as it led to the formation of similar societies in many surrounding towns, much to the benefit of all concerned. I made an elaborate report of my Florida observations which was printed entire by the United States Department of Agriculture, widely distributed, and stimulated many to benefit their condition by securing comfortable homes in that land of fruits, flowers and delightful climate.
That year the angel world sent us our bright-eyed, smiling little Elizabeth, thus making our trio of sweet singers a quartette to share our joys and lessen our sorrows, coming like the dews from that heaven to which we all return when our mission to refresh and inspire the earth life is ended. It is interesting to note the varying definitions of the word, baby, which have floated down to us in the literature of all nations. Here are some of them which I have culled from various authors:
"A tiny feather from the wing of love, dropped into the sacred lap of motherhood."
"The bachelor's horror, the mother's treasure, and the despotic tyrant of the most republican household."
"A human flower untouched by the finger of care."
"The morning caller, noonday crawler, midnight brawler."
"The magic spell by which the gods transform a house into a home."
"A bold asserter of the rights of free speech."
"A tiny, useless mortal, but without which the world would soon be at a standstill."
"A native of all countries who speaks the language of none."
"A mite of a thing that requires a mighty lot of attention."
"A daylight charmer and a midnight alarmer."
"A wee little specimen of humanity, whose winsome smile makes a good man think of the angels."
"The most extensive employer of female labor."