Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1881-05-19
No.

length of the cot and the person who was to
occupy it,
In vain did we rearrange the blankets and
fiddle-faddle with the pillows-the result re-
mained the same. The man was unmistak-
ably longer than the bed.
Mr.. Lincoln had been watching us closely
and enjoying the scene intensely. At length
he seemed to take pity on the Generals per-
plexity, and spoke.
"What's the matter ?" said he, as quizical
smile played over his features, anything
wrong with the bed?"
II am afraid" said the General, as he
wiped the perspiration from his brow, "I'm
afraid it's little short"
''Or am little long," chuckled the Presi-
dent; "but can you fix it no way?"
II really don't see how" returned the
General, despondently. ITS very annoy
ing"
"Well, I'll show you," said Mr. Lincoln,
good-humoredly, as springing up he seized
two camp stools and placed them at the foot
of the cot. There that will give the neces-
sary six or eight inches. Just spread the
blankets over them and everything will be
all right"
We did so, and the General. with delight,
congratulated Mr.. Lincoln upon his inge-
nuity.
"Oh," said the President modestly, "it's
an old trick of mine. When I was country
lawyer, travelling on the circuit in Illinois
twenty years ago or more, the beds were un-
commonly short and had to be pieced out
with whatever was handiest. When Doug
las and | stumped the State together | had
to do the same thing at least half dozen
times. He (Douglas) was never tired of
making fun of it, and told me that whenever
| left home l ought to take my bed along
with me, and,' continued the President,
musingly, Il rather think he was right"
On the following''night Mr.. Lincoln was not
obliged to use the camp-stools, as we man
aged to procure longer cot for him; and
doubtless the whole affair soon passed out of
his memory but for my own part I shall al
ways retain the Gveliest recollection of my
little experience in presidential bed-making.
Water for Babies.
was one day called upon to visit a sick
little one in a family residing near my office.
The babel found in apparent good health,
but crying and struggling in it's mothers
arms as though suffering excruciating pains.
The mother informed ME that the child
seemed desirous of nursing continually; and
that, to quiet it, she had given it the breast
as often as the crying commenced. When
this did not soothe the little one, a dose of
Mother Somebody's cordial had been admin
istered.
My good woman" I inquired, when did
you last give your babe a drink of water?"
Il don't remember" replied the lady; Il
seldom let him drink water. Does he need it?"
Need it. Why should he not need it as
much as you? This child is suffering from
thirst-nothing nlore''
/ called for cold water gave the infant
few teaspoonfuls, and it was relieved of all
it's troubles stopped crying and sank peace
fully to sleep In its mothers arms.
Let this be reminder to mothers and
nurses. Infants who nurse at the breast may
often suffer as much from want of water as
adults who eat more solid food. Often when
4 child cries, it is only thirst which causes it.
Do not, then, dose it with the poisonous
soothing syrups' or nursing cordials or press
t to the breast which it will eagerly grasp,
to satiate its burning thirst but
i1led to the brim with its natural food, it
cries ON harder than ever.
Use little discretion. The poor little one
cannot tell its wants; if it could, it would
,ften cry: "Water! water!"