Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-08-27
Home Nursing
And Health Hints
The New Bed
BY M. JESSIE LEITCH

The old gentleman who had been
i'll for more weeks than he chose to
remember lay looking idly out Of the
window. He had little pain. But he
was helpless. And it was not cheer
full feeling when one had been active
all ones life.
1t was a warm August day, and
from his window he could see an eX-
panse of green, close-clipped lawns,
of scarlet-fowered hedges. The
pleasant shout of children's laughter
came to him from across the street.
The short, white curtains billowed
gently in a flower-scented breeze.
Around the corner of the big house
f1oated the doors Of simmering jam.
The old gentleman closed his eyes
to shut out the disappointment in
them. He had come east to enjoy his
SON s children, to visit and be visited.
And here he lay, an invalid, all be-
cause of some obscure trouble he had
never even suspected he possessed.
Smiles Chase Irritation
A step sounded on the gravel walk
below his window. There was a drag
ging, pulling sound, and much rat
Ting Of heavy paper. Unfamiliar
voices said: Here it is, ma'sm. And
as nice a little iron bed as we have
in the shop"
81 hope it isn't too small" The
voice was that of Mrs. John, the old
gentleman's daughter-in-law. I'VE
want nice, comfortable, new bed.
with soft springs. that grandfather
will enjoy. The bed in the guest
room is not new, and, I'm afraid, none
too soft for his old bones"
The eavesdropper scowled bit at
the reference to his old bones Then
smiled to himself: Of course, his
why they ached. And the folks were
| planning a new bed for him! He
turned pleased eyes toward the hall
| way where there was much scuffing
| and showing and unwrapping Of
string and paper. His granddaugh-
| ter was carrying an armful Of sheets
and pillows as she passed the door.
An Inviting ooking Bed
Then the family came in, announce
| ing the arrival of the new bed. It
was drawn into the room. A high.
luxurious looking tufted mattress,
over which was spread fine linen, upon
which were broad, downy pillows,
| and a gay-flowered counterpart that
was light as a feather being stuffed
| with feathers. as Mrs. John ex-
planned.
But how" said the old gentleman.
wheE the first excitement had passed,
| IAN I going to get into it? John
isn't home to lift me, is he?" And
| he looked wistfully at the new bed.
|
| Indeed, we don't need john" said
Mrs. John, briskly. And as she spoke
she was loosening all the bed clothes
around the edge of the occupied bed.
The old gentleman looked on, doubt
fully.
| Transfer Easily Made
| The new bed, with sheets turned
back, was pushed close against the
| old, occupied led. Mrs. John and her
| daughter stood on the far side Of the
new bed, and reached across it, TAX
| ing the loosened under sheet beneath
the old gentleman firmly in their
| hands.
1t was very simple. The beds were
the same height. The old gentleman
was not very heavy, and a strong,
even traction on the under sheet
drew him off the old bed and on to the
| new.
He sighed, and snuggled into it's
| wondrous softness. The old bed was
| speedily unmade and relegated to the
sun porch for an airing and scrubb1ng
before it disappeared into the attic.
| "It sure is easy when YOU know
| how" murmured the old gentleman,
| explaining the method of procedure
| to John, later on.