The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-09-13
corrrINUED
CHILDREN ONLY Il OF

iCine b0ttle, with nipple attached.
The children have all been raised
upon cows milk, being for the most
mart weaned when they were from
three to five weeks old. When the
baby Bonnie cried too hard the
mother gave her a little dose OF Q
patent soothing strip.
The children under 10 were in
their bare feet; the others wore
good shoes and stockings. Because
company had come Mrs. Dickie had
the family wash up and comb hair
and put on clean frocks or waists,
and every little barefooted tad had
to go the pump and wash his feet.
The older children helped the
little ones and the house ran like
clockwork. The woman said she
was behind in her mending, and
would please excuse the rags; In
deed. that was easy, for the rags
wer clean. She washes every other
day.
With so many mouths to feed
Mrs. Dickie says she cooks large
quantities of one vegetable or meat
not having time for varieties, and
they can't afford much meat. For
dinner we had splendid bread, I'M
trimmed coffee. string beans, farm
butter and milk and blueberries
and cream.
Obedience Rule of Home.
1t was noticed that the children,
even the little tots, obeyed their
mothers commandsi instantly. She
always speaks their full names, like
LENA 1nez." She seems never to
confuse them and they all say their
''pleases" and their thank yous."
1t was a sight to see the mother
hustle about, picking up fallen
child, grabbing up the baby. kissing
away the tears of little Floyd Muir
ton, breaking beans, setting table,
lifting the wash boiler onto the
porch and talking agreeably all of
the time with the writer She said
that she didn't believe that she had
had full nights sleep in 20 years.
When l asked for the full list of
names and birth dates Mrs Dickie
called upon Charles Lorin, jr.. who
stepped to the center of the floor
and ratified off the list as if he were
speaking APP iece for company, and
so rapidly that l couldn't write
them down.
Il teach my children to say that
list just as soon as they are able to
learn 1t, said the mother. They
must all know their brothers and
sisters birthdays"
Part of Family Away
Four of the girls are married and
Mrs. Dickie is the grandmother
now of nine. One is divorced and
this is the family sorrow. They say
it wasn't her fault" Arthur Ernest
lives in California. had been or
dained Methodist minister, and
has country church. Mrs. Dickie
speaks reverently of him, with a
mothers longing in her eyes fol
she has not seen him in two years
Fanny Blossom is a stenographel
in Portland. George Edwin works
in mill in Skowhegan and Ev
erett Onward on an adjoining
farm. Merritt Carnot is visiting
with one of his sisters this sum
mer.
All of the boys and girls away
from home contribute what they
can to the family support.
Mrs. Dickie said that her babies
had weighed at birth from 81 to
101a pounds. Bonnie Marguerite
weighed 9la pounds. Mrs. Dickie
said she had never missed hel
guess at the sex of Forthcoming
child. Il have guessed correctly
for each of the Is boys and eight
girls. How do not know, but
I've always positively known which
1t would be" she said.
For Is years from five to, /:
Dickie children have attended the
district school at one time, form
ing more than half the attendance
Children All Healthy
when | married | did not like
children and did not wish for any,
said the mother. But it seems t.
have been designed that l shoult
have this large family. Ond | have
been glad to receive. each new bah,
and / love them all alike. Thanh
God l have never lost one. Ever,
baby has gone through chickenpox
measles and Group, but none ha'
had more serious sickness. Not on,
has been born deformed and eacl
one has said papa and mamma
at Is months at least. All hav,
good teeth and all good eyes eS
cept Arthur Ernest.
Il have had no disobedient chill,
and not one has brought disgrace
upon us. We teach them to fea
God and do honest labor. Man,
times we have had opportunitie
to give children out for adoption
We have ALWAYS been moor. but no