The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-04-08
MATERNAL ERRORS.
By MARY AMEs ATKINS.

"What sweet little girl! Bless me!
how my beart opens to receive herr erie d
old Mrs. Sands, rushing to the cradle Of
her grandchild in transport Of affection
for the helpless thing whom she,nov saw
for the first time.
"Yes, it is,' replied the young mnthor,
looking with pride upon her tirst-born,
and wondering in her ignorance, If all
babies v ere so disposed to cry, swallow
their fists, and be otherwise troublesome.
Don't you aud Charles set store by
her3" pursued the elder lady, taking the
baby from the cradle, and heavily resting
herself in q rocking-chair close at hand.
''Of course! She's world of trouble,
though. But do, mother, remove your
cloak and bonnet. Ughl what old fash
ioned things they are! Why. mother,
they make perfect fright of you. will
not allow friend of mine to see you un-
til you are transmogrified from the crown
of your head to the sole of your foot. !
mingle with very fashionable society.
There's none like it where you came from.
How did ever manage to pass my girl
hood there2"
A volume of reproof rushed to Mrs.
Sands lips; but she would not permit
herself TO utter word of it. 81,
"Come, do r, move those odious things
They look ancient enough for the fash
ions of Noah's times. What if one of my
fashionable, intimate friends should drop
in unceremohiouslyr Do throw off your
cloak and bonnet, mothtrr,
"Yes, in minute First let me take
my I'LL of looking at baby. A darling
little treasure. Grandma is glad to see
her. Here we go up, up, up; and here
we go down, down, downy. GranAma's
precious little darling, that's what it ISL
And baby looked as surprised as she
could at her funny travels up and down
in the lap of the sffectionate stranger.
whose voice and smiles were so hearty
and gladstone.
Il do believe the little darling knows
I'm her grandmother. Didn't she. sort of
smile then?"
II don't know. She often twists her
face up in that way. / wish she would
MT. it makes her look so ugly" said Mrs.
Lowell, weariedly.
"Lud then, if it wasn't smile, may
be it's the cello! Have you any medicine
for it2 Bring me the bottle, if you have.
1t is dreadful disease-veTy swift aud
sure. 1t has filed many little grave,
as scores on scores of riven hearts attest,
Martha. 1t must be attended to right
away. There's great degree of mOrtali-
ty among infants now. Owing to care
lessness, most fit, reckon. Have you
brought the bottle; daughterF'
"whst fnsser you are, mother! The
baby is as free from collie as we are"
"I don't know, Martha; 1 wouldn't
have her suffer for our not finding ont
what ails her, for the world. Babies have
died through ignorance or carelessness
OF their nurses, You know" replied the
old lady, looking anxiously upon the con-
torted little face pillowed against her
loving bosom.
II declare. mother, you're as bad az
Charles; call him the old woman, be-
cause he is such an egregious croaker. !
surmise shall have rich time with two
such"
Il am glad be doss take such deep in
terest in the poor thing. lisa sign he'll
make good father if he's SO attentive to
his first baby"
"FmsT baby Goodness graciousr
cried Martha.
Didn't bring up ten children, daugh,
teri" demanded theold lady, in high dis
pleasure at Martha's manner.