Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-05-10
LITTLE STRANGERS.
BY MRS. NJ. BEET0N.

BY MRS. NJ. BEEToN.
Fond mothers love, felt instinctively
through all ages, DEGREES that these
''little strangers" about whom l con-
Germ myself to day are "harmless and
loved, although so new to life" Loved
and cherished are these little strsngers
by fond mothers, with true mothers
hearts, even if flock of little ones al
ready flock the nursery; but the first
little stranger who intrudes his pres
ence upon a household is not only
loved and cherished by the fond young
mother, bnt is the adored pet of
host of admiring relatives. The inno-
cent little being becomes the focus. as
it were, OF new, loving, and beauti-
fully unselfish instinct, which he un-
consciously develops the more he is
excessive in infantile wsywardness.
Nothing is too good for this new
conner, who is to a certain circle of
people ''the prettiest, the dearest, the
cleverest, in fact, the only child that
was ever worth a thought" Small
wonder, then, that as these little prizes
are valued 30 highly, the preparations
| for their reception should be consid-
cred a matter of great import to every
really natural little matron.
Many girls have the good fortune
to possess kind mother, whose advice
on such occasions cannot possibly be
equalled. Many young matrons there
are however who have the misfortune
to be far removed from any kindly
parents or relations to whom they can
refer for information concerning pre-
parations for "Baby's" wardrobe and
toilet. To those, then, whom fate has
thus situated, perhaps q few reliable
suggestions on tdyettes may be vel.
come.
In days gone by it was considered
the sacred and almost bounden of
every young matron to work WI. .er
own fingers every stitch required for
the first .'little strangers" lsyette;
some still look upon the matter in the
old-fashioned light, aud 1 admire the
perseverance of those who act up to
their ideal But /, for one, do not
take our grandmother's view of the
case; st the same time, however, L
strongly advocate home made tayetteS
unless money Is no object" for to
withstand the constant washing to
which such garments have to be sub
! iected, every article should be COM
posed of good material, and neatly and
strongly put together; which two es-
sentIals combined are rarely met with
except in high-priced goods; where
for a very uncomfortable outlay sum,
good material can be bought, sstisfac-
tOrily cut out from a good pattern,
strongly and neatly made into the nee
essary garments, and trimmed simply
or elaborately, according to the avail
able funds.
l am not one of those preiudiced
against "machinlng" linen work.-in
fact think that it is as important for
every girl to learn to use a sewing ma
chine as to excel In hand needlework-
SO, strongly recommend those to whom
time and money are both objects, to
manufacture with a sewing machine as
many as ossible of the layette gar e.
ments; good lock-stich machine
must, of course, be employed, the
great est care must be exercised to OBJ
serve extreme neatness aud only
finishing off and trimming will need to
be done by hand.
The number and quality of garments
comprised in baby's layette must
necessarily differ according to taste
and circumstances, but the Udriety of
articles required to clothe our 'lIttle
strangers" whether wealthy or not,
remains much the same. A useful
ayette was that included in the list
gave my correspondent Little" two or
three weeks ago. I will here enumer-
ate the numbers of the one and a-half
dozen articles required:-n Six soft
flannel binders, (2l nine or twelve fine
lawn shirts, 81 three to six dozen
napkins, (4) six or eight flannel
pitches, (5) four or six long night
hannels, TO- four or six day hannels,
- 10 eight to twelve niRhtgowns (suit-
able to answer the purpose of monthly
gowns) or six night gowns and four or
six monthly gowns, CS) six to eight
long pettiooats, 80 six to eight
simple robes, two to six more
elaborstely trimmed, QO) four to six
head hanneIs for night wear, I'D ditto
for day wear, C12l three or four knitted
Jackets of soft wool, (13) two or three
warm white wooden shawls of various
sizes, Q4) three to six pairs of knitted
boots, 10 one or two cloaks, (16I one
I or two bonnets, 40 two or three wells,
QSl six bibs, and a length of ribbor
/ ior shoulder bows.
| A few less of some of the above might
suffice, but it is we'll to have as many
as possible to enable the babe to be
kept clean and sweet with convenience.
| The bsssinette and toilet basket are
of course quite as important as the
layette proper, and should be chosen
, of strong composition, light, and easily
portable. yet firm on their stands.
Both should be daintily trimmed, but
where money is an object. the draper
les, although light in texture, should
be of a color and fabric which will not
readily soil or become tumbled and
ossy-looking after the first two or
three weeks in use. The bedding for
the bassinette should, / need scarcely
Z mention, be of the softest description,
the sheeting of fine longcloth, and the
blankets warm and woolly, but light
wlthal, and, moreover, that two or
three macintosh sheets should also be
prepared.
In conclusion, let me advise you to
! have everythiIg- kept actually the
sewing on of trimming to bassinette
and basket ket-completed (at any rate,
! the greater number of each variety of
garments) at least two months before
the expected arrival of the distinguish
ed stranger; and if you are wise you
! will take this precaution whether the
layette Is bought ready made, or
whether you make it at home. Special
advice on household subjects you know,
1 always gladly give any of you in need
of such, SO do not hesitate to write to
me for help, if in doubt regarding pre-.
parations for the "little stranger"