The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-11-23

|
away. Come, now, do. 1t will take a
load off your mind, and Polly won't
know the difference.
g l always do trim them, and every
one does" began Mrs. Bennett, who was
welded to her idols.
"When / was in London / saw a
dukes children dressed in plain brown
linnen pinafores, and | thought I'd
never seen such splendid babies. Try
it, and if people make remarks, bring
in the English aristocracy, and it will
be all right"
There was twinkle in Mrs. Gays
eye that made her friend ashamed to
argue, so she laughed and gave up the
point, acknowledging, with a sigh, that
it was relief.
1t is this mania for trimming every
thing which is wearing out so many
women. Necessary sewing is enough,
then drop your needle and read, rest,
walk or play with the children, and see
how much you have lost heretofore by
that everlasting stitching. You'd soon
get rid of that pain in your side if YOU d
let the machine stand idle while you
Perhaps | should, but L can't leave
the children, Biddy is so careless
Take them with you. Roll baby
up and down that nice, dry sidewalk,
and let Polly run before, and you d
be different set ofpeople in month. :"
Do you really think sop
Not only that, but if you'd change
your way of living, | don't believe
you'd need to think of going to Florida
at all"
"Why, Mary Gay, what do you
mean?' demanded Mrs. Bennett, sitting
erect upon the couch, in her surprise
at the unexpected remark.
81 have often wanted to say this be-
fore, and now l will, though you will
think | am an interfering woman if
do. Never mind, if | can only save
you further worry and expense and suf-
fering, | won't mind if you are offended
for time. In the first place, you must
move" and Mrs. Gay gave such a
decided nod that the other lady only
calculated, "Why? where? when?"
because you want more sun and
space into this room, because here you
will find both, and to-day because | am
here to help you"
Mrs. Bennett gave little gasp and
looked about her in dismay at the bare
idea of living in her cherished best
parlor.
But the back room does very well, ;"
she protested. 1T is warm, and small,
and handy to the kitchen, and we al
ways lived there
mo, my dear; 1t does not do very
well, for those very reasons. 1t is too
warm and small, and near the kitchen
to make a fit place to live in, especially
for little children. Why don't you put
your plants there, if it is such nice
placer" asked Mrs Gay, bent on max
ing a clean sweep of her friends delu-
sions and prejudices.
Why they need more sun and air,
and room, so | keep them in here"
g Exactly! and your babes need sun,
and air, and room more than your
roses, geraniums and callas. The
plants would soon die in that close, hot,
dark north room; do you wonder your
babies are pale, and fretful, and weak?
Bring them in here and see how soon
they will bloom if you will give them a
chance
81 never thought of that. I'm sure
| would do anything to see them well
and hearty, but it does seem a pity to
spoil my nice parlor. Wouldn't the
best chamber overhead do as well?'
g | want that too, for your bedroom,
and the little one at the side for the
oh hn ho Ia,
now, and have the cribs there also,
don't you?"
Eyes. My patience. Mary, would
you have me turn the house upside
down Just for little more sun?"
"Do you love your best room better
than your children? Hadn't you
rather see them spoilt by daily use, than
empty and neat, because the little busy
feet were gone never to come back!
Pam in earnest, Lizzie, and | know
you will agree with me when you
think it over. My own dear little boy
was killed by my ignorance, and l have
learned by sad experience that we
mothers should make it the study of
our lives to keep home healthy and
happy for our boys and girls, no matter
how much we sacrifice show and
fashion. Come, now, try it for a
month, and see if you don't all feel
the better for enjoying the better side
of life''
Mrs. Bennet's eyes wandered around
the pretty room, and went from Polly,
singing to herself as she sat looking
out of the pleasant window, to baby,
contentedly playing bo-peep through
the bars of the fender with the yellow
flames, which were his delight, then
came back to her friend kind, earnest
face, and seemed to wake with sudden
energy, life and resolution.
"I'll try itr' she said, feeling that it
was heroic thing to give up all her
cherished ideas and put her Sunday
best things into everyday wear. But
Mrs. Gays words touched and startled
her, and with self reproachful pang
she resolved that it should never be
said that she loved her plants better
than her children, or that her house
should ever misSth sweet clamor of
baby voices, if she had the power to
keep that music there.
GOOD! | knew you would, and Pm
going to show you how easy it will be
to change the climate you live in as
well as the scene, and tighten your work,
and benefit your health, without going
away" cried Mrs. Gay, delighted with
her success, and eager to see her re-