The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-02-22
A Word for the Babies,

"Ma just has the crossest babies, and
always had. Dear me we have no peace
at ALL" ...i.,b ,.,.o,..
" "Why, Anne, what's the matter: with
the present baby? Does it have the
colicY' nea s,o, ~: i>i,l.,j -: 100.
"Colic?. !, should think so; it's moth
ing but collie, as for colds it's, always
stifed up with cold, and can hardly &c:
it's breath. Strange there should e;shch
difference ill., babies !: yours Is so, good,
Mrs. Ii really, iiow, / believe I've
hevef heard it .cry yet as mitch as fun
here. Doesn't: it ever have the culie,
once a day, anyhow, toward its bedtime 2"
i"No, Anne, it has never had what I
call bad spell of the collie, or indeed
any kind ofia eoEd:H TITS just the best
little boy in all thei town. '',' -" e.. :h
7"Aud r Wonder he does not kick and
cry all the time, the way you keep him
wrapped up; pretty thick shawl always
round him; beside the little double
blanket over HE lower limbs. Don't
want to smother him, do You p"
"No fear of that, Anne. with his little
face, hands and arms always out, and in
motion, too,' most Of the 'timeeHo'His
dresses are always high:necked and long.
sleeved of course. Your mother keeps
her baby warm, doesn't she % iff,,':' '.'
eyes, plenty warm she thinks, but we
never wrap it up like you do. Let me
see-yes, her little frocks are all short
sleeved, and her only wrap is q single
three cornered piece Of flannel, en-
brofdered suine of course, and when the
children COME home from school they
pick her up with their cold hands and
fan her round. to their notion, and have
nice times, only the little thing keeps up
such yellingJ and mo, says she never
gets a good nights rest any more: ".
"And:she does not deserve it for such
cruelty to her poor little helpless babe" !"
"Why, Mrs, d., how, can you talk so !?
Ma is a devoted mother and very anx-
ior one, too, for she lost several children
with Group and other things, but you
know children will die sometimes" ~
+ "Yes, very many die just for want of
proper care, Anne -"
"Well, know ma loves her children,
and Mrs. t., you should see how lovely
she dresses baby, the last frock she made
is full Of tucks and rufaes and -. ="
"Bother the tucks and ruf1es and cruel
short sleeves that ruin q child's health
and temper. Tell her to wrap warm,
soft shawl round the little suffering babe
something extra over the lower limbs ;
and warm the wee, rosy feetseyeral times
a day, if they are the least cool, and then
believe her babe will be good, healthy
and happy as my own. Ny only wonder
is that any child can survive such treat
ment, and how is it, Anne, that you are
so bright and healthy?" =.
"Ma says I am the best of the flock as
to health, and I've heard her tell of a
good grandma, who was living during my
babyhood, who loved me and fondled and
cradled and wrapped me up and took
special charge of me, much to the amuse-
ment Of the rest of the family, who
laughed at the long sleeves and warm
wraps, and feared it would all make me
50 very tender and sickly."
swell, tnne, you may thank that good
grandma Tor your fine constitution and
rosy cheeks; she certainly gave you an
excellent start in the world. Strange
that your mother did not learn little
wisdom from such an example"
'"Do you really think, Mrs. L., that
babies should be so wrapped up; you
know that they don't look half so pretty,
and that long sleeves and warm things
make such q difference?"
eyes, they make every difference
warmth is life, and cold is death to them
and LIDO believe very many babies lives
are sacrificed on the altar Of mothers
vanity. Anne, you are old enough to
see n good deal to the comfort of your
baby sister, and let me entreat you to
talk it all over with your mother, and
join with her in trying to make the poor
little helpless thing more comfortable
yes, entirely comfortable, and great will
be your reward.-Nelyie, in Gern'antQQ'on
Tslegaph.i,,.i yaaiu 9i.