The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-08-07
Sometimes Til E y
Have Tender
Hearts
By Constance Cameron

10y AtOAA1 GNSAAesN
..I,m sorry, but just can't get
away. have no one to leave
With Elizabeth The mothers
voice was weary and discourag ed.
eyes / know Donald Is old
enough but / don't dare leave
him alone with the baby. He
bullies and leases her until I'm
nearly distracted
All Of whichswas yel'y true. Until
the arrival 81 two-year.old Eliza
beth, Donald had been q sweet
dispositioned little boy. but upon
the arrival Of baby in the home
he had become sullen, and, to
quote his father, he had becorns
Just plain scussed. He had de-
lighted to snatch toys from her.
when she was sti.; baby IN the
cradle, grinning nlalevolently as
she howled., and gazing at his
mother with almost hatred IN his
eyes as she ran to cliddle the
small girl and restore her play.
things to her. Engrossed in the
never-ending duties which accom-
pany tiny baby. the mother had
stayed IN befuddIed state Of ut
ter inability to comprehend what
had come over the eight.year-oli
son. getting more nervous and
disturbed daily over the unhappy
state Of affairs.
she blamed heredity, blamed the
rough boys ia the new neighbor-
hood. blamed the laxity Of modern.
school teachers. in fact. she took
into consideration almost everv-
thing except the fact that Donald
might feel hurt and outraged that
his throne which he had occupied
for eight years had been handed
over to another being. Until
Elizabeth came, he had been pet
ted, adored and noticed.
After she came he was more or
less taken for granted. and his
jealousy took the form Of batting
her on every occasion. II she
were to be fused over and
soothed. he'd jolly well see to It
that she had cause to need these
affectionate administrations even
though he was engulfed in a wave
Of resentment and outrage when
he witnessed them.
The mother cared as much for
her small son as ever, only how
was he to know this, when his
things had 10. lbe picked up 80 the
baby would nor get hurt On them,
lis Scout song topped midway
ii lusty full9es 30 that Eliza
beth would not be aWakened2
Then one day, the mother. alone
with the two children. was
stricken with sudden and ex-
eruciatfng painful illness. The
father was out OF town There
was no one to whom she could
turn for help except her eight
veAr0ld sort Calling him to her
bed: she said. Son. you viii have
rs Be mothers right hand man
I for s few days Telephone for
She doctor. He win help me. but
/ won't be able to get up for a
CAV Or two, and your job nov
Is 10 take care OF sister.
TIle small boy gazed at her
white face, then with q swift
deluze OF hot tears, the resent.
f0esak toward the baby sister was
washed away 1t Was the mother &
battle and his, side BY side now,
with baby. depending upon them.
i'll 4 n1Fff ff4s the dOpfnf Dlayed
Viii the baby until the physician
had come and gone. Then ne
pfepared lunch for Elizabeth
and the mother heard him gently
c0axIng the little girl: Come on
, now. honey. Here. let me wipe
your Inouti1-come on, you're go.
ing to have your nap now, and
when we get upstairs III SNOW
YOU my new pea.shooter. Gee
It's q swell one"
When the nurse arrived and
tried To help care for Elizabeth
she was sternly dismissed by Don
aid. She could take care OF
mother Elizabeth was his job.
From that day the nlotl1eI
praised Donald for his help an.
nanliness. stressed her need o.
him, both to him and before Other
people, with the result that he liza.
forgotten that he felt left out
and realizes that new batch o.
love comes along with each new
baby, instead OF having the frs
affection transferred as he hat
suspected.