The Osceola times., 1884-12-27
Air and Dirt

Keep the babies in the open air,
said a sensible medical man TO the moth
er ol two pale, delicate looking children.
"Well, can't see that they get any
thing but dirt ont of DOORS the lady
responded. somewhat fretfully.
Dirt is a good deal better than med
icine for children" the doctor replied.
Mrs. Weldon looked at the tucked and
ruffled dresses that her little ones wore
the broad ribbon sashes, the elaborate
lace caps, and shook her head dubiously
Dirt and disorder were very distasteful
to her. The children never went out
with their nurse-a woman who had
been specially selected for neatness and
clre-taking qualities-that they did not
return the worse for wear. The excuse
for this was that Master Willie years
old-would pick up all the stones and
sticks tina, came in his way, and Baby
Ruth always tried TO do just what her
brother did.
Mrs. Weldon could not understand
why the clean, well-aired nursery was
not as healthy for children to play in as
ont dcosr in the dirt. They had drive
every pleasant day, and why wasn't that
enough? She believed that il was, but
the children grew thinner and paler and
more fretful. The doctor was summoned
again. and his prescription was the usual
one-dirt and air.
So Que fine morning the little family
started out. with the intention OF spend
ing several hours in the park. A baby
carriage was procured at the entrance
for the children, and for half-hour or
more everything progressed in an order
Iv manner. Then Master Willie grew
tired, and demanded TO be allowed to
walk This was the signal for grand
outburst rom the baby, who staunchly
declined to remain any longer than her
brother did. Mrs. Weldon took the lat
ter infant by the hand while the nurse
ed the baby and propelled the carriage
This arrangement was of short duration
Master Willie spied bird, and with
almost birds quickness, started IN
pursuit.
In vain did his mother call to him to
eturn. On and on he went, but th
momentum was too great, and before
long Master Willie had collided with
another boy, falling fiat oh his face in a
not over clean spot. There was giea'
smash of mud on his beautiful crimson
sash. mud on his pretty cap, mud on his
embroidered skirts, and his poor llttle
,osa had net with n very hard late IN
deed A lady who had just seated her.
self on an opposite bench, ana VINO als9 %
had two little ones with her, appear u
AT this crisis and offered Mrs. Weldon q
wanb cloth. It was as white as sno"
and iust damp enough for the purpose.
a. always take three or four with me
an srcb OCCASIONS" she said with a smile
holding up the oil silk bag when con-
tained these most necessary artlcles' =.
II believe in Dirt she said' "pu' II
certainly has its place. -. .oo,, 20 be
aYour little ones do not seem 10 oe y,
.,nh troubler Mrs. Weldon observed
t%honcbtfnlly % in the course of their chat'
''' a. have reduced this business to q
sc;encen y said her companion. You see
used TO be very much annoyed and
d;ssat;stied with my nurse for allowing
he children to get into so much DIRT ana
Itoot tbe matter into my own hands
TIC toon result was that not only found she
ras " not 10 blame, but had really done
her work admirably; in fact much pe''e'
than / could"