Mother's Remedies Part 207

Medicine.--The disease and its medicine are like two factions in a besieged town; they tear one another to pieces, but both unite against their common enemy, Nature.--Jeffrey.

Baby's Petticoats.--Fine white flannel is the best material for baby's petticoats. They may be made in one piece, in princess style, or may consist of a flannel skirt attached to a loose cambric waist. These are decidedly preferable for summer and are really quite warm enough for any season.

Charity.--Prayer carries us half way to G.o.d, fasting brings us to the door of His palace, and alms-giving procures us admission.--Koran.

Tub for the Playroom.--Every playroom should be provided with a galvanized tub to hold water for sail boats. What boy does not like to play with water, boats and artificial fish? Do not expect him to be contented with toys or plays that amuse the little girl. The boy prefers splas.h.i.+ng in water or making a noise with a hammer. Aquatic toys are numerous and reasonably cheap.

NOW OR NEVER.

Gather the rosebuds while ye may, Old Time is still a-flying; And this same flower that smiles today To-morrow will be dying.

--R. Herrick.

Cleaning the Rug at Home.--Baby's fur rug may be cleaned at home by giving it a thorough bath in dry cornmeal. Rub the meal in as though it were soap, shake it out and rub in more meal, letting it remain in the rug for a day or two. Then shake out and the appearance of the rug will be much improved.

The Value of Wise Conversation.--A single conversation across the table with a wise man is better than ten years' mere study of books.--Chinese Proverb.

Tooth Powder.--Look well at the teeth of the little ones. Charcoal and tincture of myrrh are very beneficial to the teeth of the young, and both are easily procured at any drug store.

Silence.--Silence is one of the hardest arguments to refuse.--Show.

[812 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

A Dish for Children.--An old-fas.h.i.+oned dish which never fails to delight the children may be prepared as follows: One quart of cornmeal, one pint of ripe chopped apples, three tablespoonfuls of b.u.t.ter, pinch of salt, one and one-half cups of water. Sweeten the apples to taste and bake as ordinary corn bread.

THE NOON OF LIFE.

What! grieve that time has brought so soon The sober age of manhood on?

As idly might I weep, at noon, To see the blush of morning gone.

--Bryant.

Mouth Breathing.--Little ones who habitually breathe loud or snore in their sleep may be troubled with an adenoid growth.

Family.--A happy family is but an earlier heaven.--Bowering.

Obedience.--Prompt, unquestionable obedience in children seems to be a thing of the past, is the criticism of a recent writer, who adds: The up-to-date mother no longer tells her offspring that they must do or leave undone certain things because it is right. She enters into elaborate explanations and they need no longer blindly obey. This is not the wise preparation for the adult life. Unless we have taught our children the necessity for life's discipline, which they cannot at the time understand, it will make them rebellious and fail to work out the peaceable fruits of righteousness.

The Value of a Laugh.--A laugh is worth a hundred groans in any market.--Lamb.

Sanitary Drinking Cups.--Supply the youngsters on going to school with folded paper cornucopias which come in sealed packages for a small sum.

These are used for drinking cups instead of those found in public places.

Teach the children to make these useful little drinking cups from clean white paper, and there will be no danger of contracting disease from a drinking cup used by everyone who pa.s.ses.

Easy to Misjudge Men.--Every heart has its secret sorrow which the world knows not, and oftimes we call a man cold when he is only sad.--Anon.

Night Petticoats.--Night petticoats for baby have sleeves. If no petticoat is worn, then an extra short jacket is provided in the coldest weather, for most babes sleep best with hands and arms uncovered.

A Bathrobe.--A large Turkish bath towel makes a nice bathrobe for a baby or small child. Use white cotton curtain cords for the girdle and make the hood of the Turkish face cloth. This little robe is very serviceable and convenient, and is easily laundered.

An Easy Task.--It is easy finding reasons why other people should be patient.--George Eliot.

Money to Children.--Instead of paying children for doing work let them understand that they have little duties that they must perform, but give them money at intervals. Teach them the value of money and the principles of saving.

[NURSERY HINTS AND FIRESIDE GEMS 813]

Be Discreet.--Thy friend has a friend; thy friend's friend has a friend, therefore, be discreet.--Anon.

Methods of Cooking Eggs.--If you find that your baby, who is just beginning to eat solid food will not eat soft cooked eggs, and there are many who do not like them, try scrambling them until they are well done.

If not found palatable in that form make an egg custard. A baby usually enjoys this and receives the same amount of nourishment that he would if the egg were cooked in any other way.

Politics and Veracity.--Politics and veracity have the same number of letters, but there the resemblance ends.--Anon.

Songs and Story Telling.--It is an unusual child indeed who does not delight in listening to story telling or bright little songs at bedtime and the nurse who is much with children will do well to treasure up all such material that comes in her way. Being used to children and having a sincere love for them makes one's work much easier, as even very little children seem to know instinctively who their real friends are and to be more easily controlled by them.

Friends.h.i.+p.--Two persons cannot long be friends if they cannot forgive each other's little failings.--Bruyere

Harsh Commands.--Can a parent who habitually speaks to his children in tones of harsh authority, and gives his commands to them in a manner of an officer addressing refractory troops, expect that they will feel for him the affection that they would give to one who took the trouble to draw out their better natures by loving treatment? The above is a question to be considered by parents who govern wholly by "authority."

Maidenhood.--No padlock, bolts, or bars can secure a maiden so well as her own reserve.--Cerantes.

Baby's Sleeves.--When baby's arms grow too large for the s.h.i.+rt sleeves, while the body of the s.h.i.+rt is still large enough, purchase a pair of infant's white cashmere hose. Cut the feet off and overcast neatly into the armholes; putting in a little gusset under the arms is necessary to enlarge armhole. The leg of the stocking makes the sleeves and the top fits nicely around the little wrist,