p. 649 | ONLY A LITTER

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 21, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 41.

ONLY A LITTER.

WE all know how difficult it is to keep a house in order where there are two or three little ones in it. They employ their busy fingers with what often seems a desire to upset things, and in reality is but the natural outlet for the surprising energy with which even the wee little ones are gifted. The desire that all good housekeepers have to see everything “spick and span” often renders it impossible for them to be patient with the children, whose restless hands and feet must keep busy; for the constant cry, “You mustn’t do this!” “I shall punish you, if you do that!” makes both mother and child cross and uncomfortable.

“How do you keep your little ones so quiet?” asked Mrs. Brown of Mrs. Smith, upon whom she had called. “I never hear them cry, though I come here so often.”

“They cry very often,” said Mrs. Smith, “but I am frequently told that they are exceptionally good, so I must believe it.”

“I wish you’d give me the key to your success, for I’m sure I devote time enough to mine; but they tease me almost to death with their restlessness.”

“I’m sure I know of no secret in the matter,” Mrs. Smith replied. “If I were asked a recipe for keeping them good, I should say, Employ them constantly and let them be busy at something they like to do.”

“What are your little ones doing now?” asked Mrs. Brown.

Our hostess flushed as she answered quickly: “Something you will think very dreadful, but it seems the best for all of us. They’re in the dining room. Come and we’ll take a peep at them.”

Through the hall they tiptoed. Mrs. Smith opened the door noiselessly, and Mrs. Brown was taken aback for an instant. The dining table was divided into three sections by two brooms laid across it.

Three little girls, aged seven, nine, and eleven, were very busy, each claiming one section. These were arranged to represent schoolrooms, and were filled with paper benches, to accommodate paper dolls of various sizes—kindergartners, third and fifth grades. The dolls were cut from common wrapping paper, the benches from a heavier quality. The floor was covered with a mass of clippings and bits of refuse, but the children were so interested that they did not even hear them as they stole away.

“I never saw anything like it,” said Mrs. Brown. “How long will they play that way?” “From breakfast time till 5 o’clock, when they have to clear up the rubbish in time for dinner. We lunch in the kitchen when I do my own work, as I am obliged to at present. I knew you’d think it terrible when you saw the way I keep them still, but it’s only a litter; there’s nothing dirty about it, and they are so happy.”

Mrs. Brown, who was a model housekeeper, but an uncomfortable mother, had learned a lesson, and I hope all other mothers will also try to look kindly upon a “litter” when it means comfort for the busy bees, our children.

—Nursery Guide.