Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-11-07
CHAPTER x

Times have changed.
1t is said we shall grow weaker
and wiser, and 1 wonder if the wiser
part has anything to do with the
weaker business. My Grandpa
Carnes could hoe corn when he was
five and he grew up a giant for
strength. l don't see how he ever
did it., being bounced and bumped
about in that old wooden cradle, and
nursing several years too long! And
l rather guess his mother threw
in a few kisses for good measure
and I wouldn't be at all surprised
if a few didn't lodge in his sweet
little mouth, but as there wasn't
any germs in those days of Bills
full ignorance grandpa never caught
anything except just love. l guess
he was a lucky baby to catch that
much even.
[ didn't know much when l was
only six or | wouldn't have been
chewing that Warren boys chewing
gum after he'd already chewed on
it and got all the peppermint out of
it. We live and learn and L grew
up wiser. L don't want anybody to
ever know about that gum business
for it would expose my ignorance.
Especially fuIlIp ulOl10I IiuSI
never know. It would add dangerous
evidence against the array she al
ready had accumulated, when Philip,
Jr., was an infant, and me, his
own mother, unfit to do as | pleased
about bringing him up. SO his days
were lived according to the latest
directions and according to his nurse
who received a magnificent salary
lafI Il
starVe him according to the dictates
of her stupefied conscience that
acted as Somebody, the Wise. wrote
it out in book of wisdom and rules.
1 was not allowed to nurse my
child. [ knew it was a serious mis-
take and told them all So I argued
with Philip and at first l thought
he would assert himself. He prom
ised he would, but that mother Of
his soon settled him once and for
ever and continued to rule things
in her own masterful way, convinc-
ing Philip it was best in the long
run for the child, and quoting in
stances in the lives of others. so
terribly realistic and of horrifying
consequences, that Philip let her
have her way.
L was allowed about as much
privilege with my baby as some
servants would have had. however,
there were times when his pitifuI,
weak cries pulled me to him with d
vengeance and 1 would grab him up
from his white bed, and hug him TO
me so close he'd hush out of sheer
wonder. He'd have fist crammed
in his mouth and tug at it pitifully,
and give little hungry grunts, like
any hungry baby gives.
Once Philips mother rushed in the
nursery aad found me rocking IN
and feeding him from the bottle tina
wasn't due yet for an hour. She gave
an angry, sharp exclamation, and de-
manded to know what it all meant?
Where was the nurse, the one in Gu-
thority? What did L mean by coming
in and feeding before the regular
time?
4 just sat there and looked at
her. I'd given in for months &c
something / felt the unjustness OF
more and more as time went on. MY
strong will had almost disappeared
because I'd let the wills of others
submerge my own. The feel of my
child, so near my heart, the little
grunts of pure satisfaction that es-
capped from it's little throat as IL
greedily took the warm milk, all
seemed to give me a new sort OF
courage
Whose child is this, I pray?" l
asked insolently enough, for some
thing within me, long slumbering,
was gradually shaking itself free,
and when aroused I can be quite
cruel. My eyes challenged hers,
steely, steadily, as [ waited for my
answer.
It'll report this to Miss Stranahan
| and see what she has to say on the
subject Also to Philip. You should
| remember this child is his and ne
| is the man of the house and what
| ever he says goes. Especially when
| it comes to the child's welfare.
You've proven that you are not capa-
| BILE of having charge of the child by
previous actions, as we'll as this OF
| Tense. Miss Stranahan is trained IN
child welfare, and knows her bust
ness-far better than you do. While
[ know how to superintend it's bring
| ing up, having reared one success
| fully.
you'll now put that child back i'll
Its bed, and hereafter do not con-
Germ yourself and avoid meddlinS
with Miss Stranahan's business,
please"
My motherin-law stood before me
| quite regally and voiced her indigna-
| ton quite freely.
I looked at her coldly, and proceed
| ed to fill my child on milk.
Then, I looked away, staring
dreamily into space, wishing that
| from the beginning 1 could have
foreseen events and that I had as
serted myself long ago, for my
| childs sake.
DO you hear?" the woman de-
| manded in high-pitched voice.
"Certainly." I sat, stonily staring.
You will please obey" she in
sisted.
Il refuse. And if you want your
pet, Stranahan, you'll find her sleep
ing cozily out on the sleeping porch,
while my baby cried itself weak from
sheer hunger. 1 tell you, I'm tired