The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1885-12-18
PUTTING CHILDREN TO BED.

Mothers, do you actually dread the COM
ing of the childrens bedtime, or is it. of
all the hours of the day, the sweetest
Is it your precious, self-imposed task to
lead the way to slumber land, or do you
delegate the privilege to hirelings?
To take the beloved form in our arms,
and amid hugs and kisses, and softly muir
INJURED, loving words, which shall engage
the little one S attention, ard rob the CON-
ing darkness of its terrors, to deity unrobe
and prepare for night the darling one, then
to fold the tiny hands in prayer, if old
enough-what a JOY unspeakable to the
true mother who is never too weary to
attend to this final, sweetest duty of the
day
The hurry of the busy worker is over.
There is nothing ON hand so important as
that of putting the tired child peacefully
to sleep. If you have no servant let the
tea-table stand if need be: dishes are not
so imperative as the health of the children,
which can only be promoted by long.
sound undisturbed nights rest
AIe you III Tue HdDli Oh fOehIi8 your
baby? Although far easier for the mother
not to do so. yet we would not disparage
the custom if she be of quiet tempera-
ment. But if worn out. or excitabe. each
nerve seemingly instinct with life, would
You deem it advisable, or right. TO infuse
aught of this mental unrest into the limo
cent victim2
Who does not know that even very young
babies are affected by the moods of those
who nave them in CHARGE Can you afford
then, to hold your infant, unless you are
well poised?
Rocking in the cradle or crib should
fretful. mamma may sit beside, and even
hold the tiny hand When sleep comes it
is much easier to loose the clinging fingers,
than to lay down child without disturb
ing it.
Stay with the little one. rather than let
it cry itself to sleep, for slumber SO OBJ
tanned is far from restful, and the uncon-
scious sobs which agitate the child long
tears to the tender parent 5 eyes
Make every effort, however. to teach the
child to go to sleep alone, for the habit is
of incaleulable value. Persevere, even
though there be rebellion at first Mild
ness and frmness will conquer in the end.
Do not, | beg of you, be harsh with the
little one Shakings. threats. and slap
suasion, as Margaret Arnold, | believe,
calls it, are cruel.
Dear as the children are, their merry,
constant prattle is wearisome, and a few
hours of quiet are greatly needed to tone
up the mothers nerves, and prepare her to
sleep restfully. The recreation of social
converse, an entertaining book, etc., can
not be INDUCED in, unless the little ones
are put early to bed
The custom of keeping children up late
is very reprehensible, and even those of
dozen or more years should retire as early
as eight or half past.
Parents are not sufficiently mindful Of
the fact that the years of childhood are
given to fit the child for the FIXTURE, and
that he should be kept a child just as long
as possible. Late hours hinder both men
tai and physical growth. Nerves over
strained by indulgence in regard to study
ing, eating, or sleeping, during this import
ance epoch, may never regain their tone.
Americans frequently show, by their
nervous manner, the false training they
have received in early life.
\ volume could be written upon this
alone.
Thankful should be that person whose
parents, especially the mother had com
mon sense enough to bring up the child
lent them by the Lord wisely, and there
fore, well-Ladtes' Home Journal
\ very funny scene, of which the Rev
Dir. Howard Crosby was the central figure,
occurred few days ago in a Fourth ave
nue. car. New York The Doctor and some
ladies had just taken their seats when
man, who was considerably under the in
fluence of liquor, boarded the car and sat
down opposite to them. His conduct soon
became rather boisterous and two men
who sat near by began to swear at him and
threaten to put him off. This, naturally,
did not improve matters. and DR.. Crosby,
seeing that the ladies were becoming
frightened, signalled the two sober men to
stop their tantalising, while he went over
and sat down beside the druukard. ifter
the minister had spoken a few words in
the fellow ear he stopped his noise, and
the Doctor went back to his seat For
nearly mile further the man travelled
without causing the least disturbance, and
then DR.. Crosby saw that he wanted to
get out, and he signalled to the conductor
and the car stopped. The drunken man
4 rose from his seat. but before going out
he turned toward his late tormentors with
a most horrible frown, and then stepped
/ over to DR. Crosby while his face spread
a maudln. idiotic grin Patting the min
lister on the shoulder two or three times lie
said, IN a very audible tone, 'You sh a
good fellow guess goa knor ho'e tisA
1 yourshelf The Doctor told that story to
a party Of gentlemen few days ago with
great deal Of relish. and said il was the