New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-24
WORKING WOMEN.
THE CHAPERON OF THE LITTLE
MOTHERS"

give got a lob said tho sp:nstcr, and it will
come in very we'll now that the dressmahins season
Is about over. Mrs called this morning to ask
If I'd he willing to tabe lot OF children out OF town
lust for the day. There Will be two Trips week. ana
as am TO got So 80 trip, it will pay my board
nicely.
No don't mind the responsibility, the
vounrest Of the children will be old enough TO keep
out OF mischief. They are little girls between the
ages of eight and fifteen who have to mind the baby
and so can't be spared 10 90 OIL on twO-wccK' tIps
with the other fresh-ar children; and so they are to
be sent off for day at time leaving the BABY win
somebody else for that one day. The mother. maybe
will nurse II herself or maybe girl will look after
two babies to oblige a friend, who will do as much
for her another day. These little Mothers as they
are called have pretty wearsome time OF IL II
they are not very strong, and 1t is only right that
they should have day off, now and then. while the
weather Is SO warm. The way to find out which girl
is The little mother is to keep watch in the parks
and that is to be part Of my business Pm TO be
sort Of grandmother so to speak, and keep an eye
ont for them that's bent with carrying heavy
babies. 1t is easy to begin by noticing the babies
and then go and get the names and addresses
of the little girls You amt listening TO me, are you
For the thoughts of the listener had wandered away
to one of Dckenss stories in which it is little boys
lot TO see life from behind the bonnet Of a big baby
a baby whose weight always keeps him back in the
race what is going on around the corner a
cross baby are given TO understand for the mother
SAYS Of it that "when the tooth comes through The
child will be herself again. But the story tells us
that the tooth does not come through. and the
child continues to be somebody else" Could 1t have
been Dickens that put II into the heads OF New York;
charitable folk to give the babycarrer an occasional
holiday?
~ had a talk with Some of them in Tompkins
Square this afternoon the speaker went on; and
offered 10 hold the baby for one, she might have
6 etf.ap abftd had
there Was she GRATEFUL Not bit of 1T she
thought wanted to run of with the child. All she
said was: Thank you, mann, but don't care about
riding but she eyed me 30 suspiciOusly that std
supposed she was afraid 10 give up her baby TO any
one she didn't know. 'Yes'm, said she; Mamma sHd
was to be very careful when l brought him 10 the
park because he was such pretty baby that lots OF
folks would like 10 steal him Pretty indeed with great
google eyes his fabby face all broken out with
rashl But every crow thinks her own young the
whtest However was pleased TO iind the chlll 50
mindful OF what her mother had told her and hers
was the first name put down on my list she Is
ten years old she says and this is the second baby
she has nursed She understand the business, too,
can tell you. She kept that ugly baby on the Ei!h
the whole time watching them, ana was 80
careful to make him comfortable and keep the sun
out of his face. As different possible from some OF
those $50 a month nurses | have wheeling so
perambuIators about in Central Park and letting the
babies squall all they we MIND TO. OF spcahIh% -
them only to scoM saw one some tune ago PICK
up a child and slap it, and Slad 70 see the niue
fellow come back at her by Juggling with al hlN misht
and main at the flowers in her hat nope ana
trust he ruined them.
Yes that little girl deserves holiday and 50 DO
hundreds of other little girls who hardly know WIdl
play means. Ii Will be real pleasure to me 70 see
them splashing about In the bFeahess, or pI,tlthH
bide-and seek in the woods. If they tear their l(hs
III mend them for I'm going To take my needle book
along. and if they soil them I'll manage 10 get IN N
washed somehow. They shall MIND me- OF course, Dut
am not going TO be nagglng al them All tle ilhc,
and making them wish themselves az home, ihal
'ho ,vav with some folks who conduct tIc~il ar cA
e,,rsiors but it's a way / despise Will take care
too that they shall have plenty TO eat especially
,rhen we 20 10 the scashOre ], for one, always Fct
as hungry as wolf soon As catch sght OF inc
Ireakers and | expect growing girls 10 be huhErcr
stilI know folks have way OF saying sarcastic
like that IL Is only old maids who know now 10 Haiac
children hut | know that when am on Visit 10
my married sister, strangers coming 10 the house al
v+ys take me To be the mother of her children as IL
s. 10 me that they come when they hurt themselves
or get into trouble Of any kind Yes, chalcroninI
o+ Of little girls IS Just the sort OF work am M for
and II could afford I'd do it for love and LEI the
money 90: but ! can't, III take as good care 10
earn my pay honestly in conducting pleasure trip
as / DO in making dress"