Life — January 5, 1905 — page 14: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A TALE FOR MOTHERS. Basrp on Fact. saby 2" ir and who in- eton leaned back in his office cha puffed nervously on his cigar. His 1 Castleto: had just dropped in fora moment's chat, looked vely. Dimpleton wished Castleton hadn't asked. 1 trying to get the baby out of his mind all the terroga He had morning “He's getting on slowly," he replied. “ I had to send my wife aw a few days’ rest. She has been so anxious about the kid that the doctors said she would break down if she didn't go. But she left things in pretty good shape—so she wouldn't have to worry. There are two trained nurses in charge, and the doctor drops in twic day to see that everything is all right.” Castleton’s face expressed as much sympathy over his I's trouble as the face of a confirmed bachelor could be expected to reveal over a subject that he knew so little out. Too bad," he said. ‘I had no idea the baby w: sick. Have you located the trouble ?" Dimpleton puffed furiously. sterday for fri so y real trouble. Doctors all say there's nothing or- unic. They tell me he has been cutting a tooth, and it has disturbed his sleep and nutrit hey also say his mother wears on I ¢, the little chap, in spite of all we can do, is gradually wasting aw: I wouldn't say so tot r, of course, bt you and me, I.don't th uch hope for hi stleton looked more sympathetic than ever. Sceretly he wished he had not referred to such ap Out of feeling for Dimpleton, however—who y upset—he felt that he interest init. He silently ion , be nful subject. je saw was ight to display some further oped around in his mind for some phrase that would enable him to dismiss the matter gracefully. He m his friend up, if possible—en- courage him, The mere fact that he himself knew nothing about babies really the more freedom. Being a bachelor, he could say what he pleased. “Nonsense !"" he replied.‘ He’s all right. A well per- son would waste away with two trained nurses hanging around, and a doctor coming in twice a day, Think of it! I'll bet,” he added recklessly, “that that kid of yours hasn't had a good square meal for weel This remark had upon Dimpleton ex: actly the opposite intended. Castleton fully expected effect from what w: “LP Be hang it all !"" he replied, “ there doesn't seem to * him to dissent politely and dismiss the subject abruptly. Instead of this, Dimpleton gazed at him earnestly. “Old man," he said, why do you think this? Give me your reasons."* Castleton, thus cornered, again began to grope around in his mind for an adequate answer, All he could do was to fall back on his common sense. “Well,” he replied, “I don't pretend to know much about those things—they'’re not in my line. But this is the way I figure it out : You've got a sick baby on your nds. Doctors examine him and can’t tell you what's matter—except cutting a tooth. Now let me ask you, is cutting a tooth a natural or an unnatural process ?"” “Natural, of cours “Very well. You are a business ma doctors to v “ Certainly “Now, one more question, When you are hungry, do you pick up some magazine, look over the advertisements and select some new-1 led food that’s just been put on the market, or do you call in a physician and ask him to prescribe some formula for you to eat? No! You go out and order a good honest steak and potatoes. Now, that's what's ailing your kid. He necds food. And say, do ou think it seems quite natural that any mother should on her own baby? Rot !"" Dimpleton sprang to his feet. “You're right !"" he? exclaimed excited: “Do you know, I have half suspected this for some time, ané what you say confirms my opinion. What would you advise?" “Good Heavens, old man, don't ask me, but if I were in your place I'd get hold of some old nurse; one, if possible, who hasn't read the papers for, say, the last twenty-five years." “Til doit! It was one week later. Dimpleton sat as before at his office desk, puffing nervously as ever at his cigar. Hi face was anxious and disturbed. Castleton had just Is it natural for ant to make as large a living as possible ?” come in “Well, old man, how's that baby of yours ?"" Dimpleton sighed, as he tossed aside a letter he had just been reading “ Before L answer that question," he replied, “let me tell you what I did. I made up my mind, after what you said to me in confirmation of my own opinion, that I Id take the case into my own hands just like any other business proposition, So I sent up in the country for the old nurse who had taken care of me when I was a kid. Then I fired the whole peptonized, sterilized, pasteurized, galvanized and germless outfit that had been stacking up against me—doctor, trained nurses and all, What do you suppose Betty—my old nerse—did when she came? “T hope nothiug wrong. “Well, she gave that kid a dose of cow's milk—plain, ordinary, every-day cow's milk with the nourishment left in. At first he balked at it."" “Wasn't used to real food, I suppose.’ “Exactly. But he got used to it very soon. Then she crooned him to sleep in her arms. This was dead against wou —~—~-— comicbooks.com