Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1890-09-10
One Mothers Way.
NJ. r. BUTTS.


LITTLE Mrs. Miller was making bread
and her twin baby boys were standing
by her side moulding, infinitesimal bis
cults to be baked Tor a play-supper.
The three were In the highest spirits,
apparently, for merry pesls of laughter
Issued freQ the wide-open mouths of
Ned and Ted; and mamma herself was
smiling and kneading, and kneading
and smiling, as if the two processes
went together. L sat, with my book, in
sight and hearing Of this pretty group,
and forgot to read as 1 watched and
listened.
The bread put in the pans, mamma
began pairing apples for pies. Ted and
Ned had also disposed of part of their
dough in the proper way; and now,
provided, with tiny toy pans, they
proceeded, with funny little rolling
pins, to make pies" 1t was q delight
ful occupation, apparently, and one
that occupied 8 good deal of time, for
there Was sugar to add to the apples
from their own little hoard of groceries;
then various spices; then an upper crust
to be fitted, ornamentsd, and properly
punctured before the half dozen toy
pies were completed. The little cooks
were enveloped in long-sleeved ging-
ham cOokiuS-aprons, and when the
days cooking was done, they carefully
washed in their own little dish-pan
whatever dishes they had soiled.
In answer to my questions concern
ing the continuance of the children's
interest In this kind of play, Mrs. Mil
Ter said: They never tire of II. To
do their own plsy-housework In COM
pany with my real occupations is their
greatest delight. They have their lit
tie tubs, and hat-irons, and clothes
lines, and other conveniences for wash
in-day."
''If they were girls, this kind of
work would be still more interesting to
them, no doubt" l suggested.
Quite possibly not, at their age. A
shIld Is but baby at three and half
y5ars, and to do what the mother does
Is the fact that pleases. Especially is
the little heart thrilled with Joy and
ambition, and the brain stimulated
healthfully and happily, if the busy
worker thinks he Is of use-is helping
mamma 1t is simply putting the be-
/ ginnings of energy to the beginnings
of service; helping the baby faculties
10 develop naturally, summed by love
and Joy"
| L learned later that Ted and Ned had
| bought their own store of groceries and
toy utensils, earning the money by
| helping In such small ways as are open
| to young child; IN some cases by sup
pressing their eager, noisy little selves
at such times as quiet was specially es-
! sential- They already knew that GER
| tain grsces and self-denIals were ex-
pected of gentlemen" that certain
hardy traits were manly" They un-
derstood perfectly that though q hoy
might play the wild Indian out-of-dOors
sometimes with perfect proprlety, 1t
was not gentleman" to be rough and
noisy indoors. They appreciated the
! lRdyhOod of their mother, and the
courtesy that they must show her as
little men" All this education was
| the natural companionship and part
nership carried on IN the household.
A day or two after the cooking scene,
the mother and twins were ironing.
The bows had their little table, over
which they bent faces flushed and ard
ent- The mother was in the midst of
little serial that she kept spinning
from day to day.
"And then" L heard her say, as /
came into the room, land then the mis-
tress gave the orphan child q ten-cent
piece, and told her to go for a loaf of
| bread On the wsy, little Meena,
whose fingers were very cold, dropped
the silver bit through a crack In the
sidewalk. She tried IN vain to get 1t,
and at last sank down on the hard stone
sobbing. She knew the mistress would
! punish her If she went home without
the money. While M-ena sat there, q
| little lost kitten climbed upon her
shoulder, and began rubbing his furry
side against her cheek, as If to comfort
her. The poor creature was gaunt with
hunger, ss Meens saw when she took 1t
| In her arms
''Ohl will you be my kitty?'" said
Meena, as she hugged the kitten tight
ly IN her arms. She stopped crying,
| and smiled brightly at the thought
| Then the tears started again.
but she won't let me keep you;
oh, know she wont'"
At tnis critical point the days install
ment stopped.
Happy childreni Happy motherw
thought i, as L reflected upon Mrs.
Miller's home philosophical training
Home Maker.