The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-05-15
IMPORTANCE OF
LITTLE THINGS
LAURA GRAY

"When have family, Pm not going
you do" declared young Aunt Mary
to her elder sister, Edith, as they
washed up after baking cakes. "Here
you give up a good show to stay at
home with Jerry and Jill. Why don't
you make them sleep in the afternoon
and take them to the show tonight ?
I'll hold one of them."
"You don't understand, Mary-but
you will some day! It's the little
thaings that count with small children,
the regular habits they form and keep.
I've learned from experience"
"You are just fussy!" declared the
young girl. "There you hurried home
yesterday afternoon-let the rest of
us go on to the grill for tea. You
had to see that your precious young
sters had their supper on time-as
if an hour or SO would have made
any difference! Good graciousw The
nineteen-year-old aunt tossed her
pretty, fair head. "Clara Bennett
doesn't take her two children so seri-
ously. She doesn't let them change
her ways"
"But look at the trouble she has
had. The children have been in the
hospital several times"
"She can't help that-they are just
delicate"
81 don't think so," declared Edith.
"Clara doesn't understand the import
ance of small things, like being on
time with their meals. l went over
there the other evening. At seven
o'clock her two, no older than mine
were eating roast chicken, potatoes
boiled pudding-and dropping asleep
over their plates. What sort of a
night could they have, after eating
a heavy meal so late?
'Clara laughed at my shocked stare
and said, Don't expire, Edith,
couldn't stop to get their supper at
five-I was busy in the garden. But
they'll SURVIVED"
"Her children are bad-tempered. Nc
girl will look after them," remarked
Mary. "They were scrapping and
yelling when | passed, but then
mother can't help their tempers."
"She doesn't realize it, but she is
very much to blame. When small
child feels we'll and comfortable, he's
bound to be sweet and attractive"
"Still l don't see why it isn't al
right to make children sleep during
the day and then take them out at
might" persisted Mary.
81 find that when they are accus.
toned to having their heaviest meaI
at noon and to sleeping at night, it is
difficult for them to change suddenly
l couldn't do it myself, without feel.
ing upset"
"Clara keeps her youngsters il
heavy woolens even in hot weather.
says it won't be her fault if they
catch cold," Many went on.
"And they have colds most of the
time. Of course their clothes SHOULD
be changed to suit the weather. Here
come our two"
Jerry and Jill, three and five, ap
peared fresh and smiling. Soft curls
framed rosy faces, sturdy limbs moveC
with healthy vigor, eyes danced will
the JOY of living.
"Come, see our playhouse!" Jerry
caught his aunt's hand.
"Take out the little table, and wei
have tea there with you," smiled
Edith.
"Goodie!" they danced as if filleo
with effervescent spirit too light te
stay down.
"They are darlings!' remarked
Mary when they had gone.
The mother smiled.
There is scarcely mother who
wouldn't risk her life for her child
but usually all that is called for il
attention to little things-meals, sleep
play, all on time always-simplt
things within the reach of all. Hav
ing lovely, sweet tempered-children i!
the rich reward.