The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-01-14
A Place for the Old Folks.

mere Is no place 1OT Olu 1OlkS, Salu
an octogenarian. In some senses this
is sadly true. The old home broken up,
the weary pilgrims pass from one child's
house to another, feeling nowhere quite
at home. They fear they are in the way
or they can't bear the children's noise,
and at last sadly conclude that there is
no place for them. No place? Let us
make one then. If you have but one
room logcabin give grandpa the warmest
corner and the easiest chair. Is your
Do not tuck them in a back room; they
set them in sunshine. Give them the
best room in the house if you have to
pack away your parlor furniture to do
it. You won't have them long and when
they are gone you will love to think of
it. Make their room bright with bios
SONS and "green things growing" and
let the paper and pictures be cheerful.
Bring the baby there to crow and laugh
but don't let him stay too long. Few
have nerve enough to bring up the
second generation. Especially let them
have q fire and light to themselves
though it cost you sacrifice to do it.
However they may enjoy the family fire.
side there are times when they impera-
lively need quiet and seclusion.
The aged like to feel that they are of
use. Let them help you. Said one: II
always let grandma wipe the dishes when
she wants to. She can't see bit. I
have to wipe them over after her, but
aeuer let her kn0w It," Grandpa often
strikes up a beautiful intimacy with
baby. What model nurse he makes!
Baby feels the magnetism of his steady,
firm handling, and the weary mother
runs to finish her waiting tasks while he
is in such good hands.
Lot grandmother knit, if it is cheaper to
buy the stockings than the yarn. All
honor to the shapely homemade foot
coverings, interviewer with memories
stitch by stitch. This lost art should be
recovered, if only for quietus and pas
time in our superannuation. Then, too,
the aged are sometimes haunted by the
thought that their children are in hurry
for their property. If, to rid themselves
of this ghost, they give it into their
hands, it is about equivalent to the leap
from the frying-pan into the fire. May
they ever 60 barefoot who wait for dead
mems shoes!
Little attentions are peculiarly &C
ceptahe in advancing years. Steady
the trembling step without seeming to
do so. Tempt the failing appetite with
delicacies and favorite dishes. The
young may be spoiled by indulgence,
but it is pretty safe to pet post-meridian
people. Teach the children to bring
their grandparents the first fruits and
flowers, and in numberless ways make
them feel that their presence is precious.
1t has been feared that in the next cen
fury there would be no old folks to take
care of. There are some hopeful indica-
lions to the contrary, and if by chance
we find ourselves then on the list now is
our time to invest care and kindness. for
with what measure we meet it shall be
measured to US again. Do all you can
for the dear old folks, and coming
some morning to their pleasant chamber
You find that the peaceful spirit has
fled, the consciousness of this will be
your greatest comfort, your highest CON
ISOLATION, next to the assurance that they
are at home in some of the many man.
sions prepared for them, happier, fal
happier, than we could make them,
cherish them though we may never SO
tenderly.-Christidn at Work.