The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-09-26
Married Life
the First Year
CHAPTER XVII.
BY Mabel Herbert Urner

CHAPTER XVII.
Helen, l don't think you keep the
baby dressed warmly enough
"Why, it has its little flannel skirt
and jacket" Helen answered rather
shortly. She was growing some
what FESTIVE under her mother-in-
laws constant advice about the baby.
Eyes, but its little hands are cold
now. | think these sh&r linen
dresses are too thin. 1 always had
flannelet slips for my babies in the
morning. Baby clothes should be
plain and warm; it isn't necessary
that they be too fancy. All this lace
and hand tucking is not going to
make the baby any more comforta-
Helen flushed hotly. 81 always
thought everything about a baby
should be dainty and fine. l don't
think | would care to have my baby
wear flanne1et.
Grandma's Criticism.
"Well, flannelet was quite good
enough for your husband when he
was baby" stiffly. Il should think
It would good enough for his
child"
1T isn't a question of it not being
good enough" answered Helen, quiet
ly, trying to restrain her resentment,
but | prefer to see my baby in dainty
things"
"Well, all these expensive dresses
will soon be outgrown. You could
have used your money to much bet
ter advantage than buying hand-en
broidered dresses for a very young
baby. Warren's income is not large
enough to warrant tcat."
Warren wanted me to have every
thing for our baby the very daintiest
and BEST" more holly. "He did not
think 1 had been extravagant."
Wholesome Advice.
ooh, a man has no idea about
such things. And, of course, at such
a time he wanted to please you. l
don't want to interfere, Helen, but l
do think in the future you should
buy the baby less expensive clothes.
When it is older and can appreciate
have them. Just so it's clean and
comfortable is all that's necessary
now"
This was undoubtedly very sound
advice. If most of the money spent
| on expensive baby clothes were saved
until the babies grew up, they would
probably be very grateful. But not
| one young mother in a thousand ever
stops to think of that.
| Just then Anna appeared at the
nursery door with a large basket.
"The laundry, ma am-$3.25. The
boys waiting"
my purse. It's in the top drawer
| of my dresser"
a New Disagreement.
Anna brought the purse and Helen
| gave her the money.
| "Don't you always count your
| clothes when they come back from
the wash?" Warren's mother asked
severely.
"Why. I did, but since the baby
came l have so little time"
"Then how do you know if they
are all returned?"
ooh: I have a very good laundress.
don't think she eveA Hoses any
thing"
We'll, l must say, Helen that is
very careless. / always make a list
when the wash goes out and then
check it off when the clothes come
back. And $3.25-that's great deal
for just you three. You ought to
get your laundry done cheaper than
| that"
| "Why, I think that is very reason
! able. The baby has a great many
things and that includes the towels
| ana SneetS ana pillow cases, anu she
does them very WELL"
Torn Clothes.
| Mrs. Curtis left her chair and
crossed over to the laundrv basket.
'Well, she ought to at that price,"
as she lifted the cloth that covered
the clothes. One of the baby's fine
white dresses lay on the top. She
took it up critically. The lace on
the little yoke was badly torn. She
held it up for Helen to see.
"And you call this a good laun-
dress?" severely. "She has simply
ruined one of your handmade
dresses! Now, what did / tell you
| about expensive baby clothes? It is
a criminal waste of money. And
here's another with the buttons torn
off. And here's"
| Helen arose, the baby still in her
arms, her eyes flashing angrily.
MRS. Curtis, that is my laundry,
and | will ask you not to go through
it. If the clothes are torn / am very
| sorry, but | cannot wash them my
self.
| Asserting Herself.
II manage the best l can, and
/ would much prefer that you did
not constantly scrutinize and criticize
all that | do. And l think Warren
would prefer it, too"
| Mrs. Curtis left, highly indignant.
After the first flush of anger had
worn off, Helen began to regret her
words. After ALL she was Warren's