Show KATHLEEN NORRIS I ICare ICare Care of the Aged Bell Syndicate Features By KATHLEEN NORRIS FRANCES TRANCES CARSON of SeF Se See F U attle attic writes me a variation of an old age-old problem This ThiE is a part of her letter Seven years ago when my husbands husband's nd's mother died we moved into the old family home with his father saving ourselves a high rent and giving giving ing our three children hildren welcome wel come space and a garden to play in Franks Frank's father was then 60 He never had been a good husband or a good fa fa- fa ther there Everything about the house was wa run down and there were many bills over over 2000 In all Old Mr Carson Car Carson son had had a slight stroke When he had done anything at all he had been a chemist and used the entire third floor of four rooms and bath bathas as his laboratory For more than five years I took care of the house my law father three boys and finally a baby girl Frank and I cleared up bills by plenty of sacrifice and hard work All AU this time Gramp as the children call him bun was an irritable and trying burden His breakfast had to be carried upstairs to him and he wanted his dinner at four believing in eating only two meals a day He was very ugly with the children and they avoided his com corn pany That laboratory upstairs was wasa a constant menace lias Has Second Stroke A itA year ago Gramp had a second slight stroke Giving him the impression impression impression im im- im- im that it was merely for ob observation observation we got him into a home We have left him there Twice he has taken taxis and come home and twice Fr Frank and Billy one of the I I 11 U. U after afler all he b is old other brothers have taken him back It has made us sick with compunction and worry but we have been firm Meanwhile Frances Frances' letter goes goeson on I have put the top floor in spick span order arder and rented it furnished for a sum that wonderfully wonderfully wonder wonder- fully helps out our crowded budget If Gramp came back there would be no other place to put him l' l Io lose my rent and have to let him hirr once more reduce the top floor to con fusion confusion and disorder But meanwhile also our friend have taken it upon themselves tc plead Gramps Gramp's case After AHer all h his hEis hr hE hris is partially disabled After AHer all h his heis ht he is old Cant Can't we they argue put pui I up with a little extra work and In Inconvenience inconvenience convenience for the sake of an ole oleman man who was once rich and prominent prominent prominent nent Even our minister has spoken en gently and gravely to both Fran and me These good friends of course cant can't see sec the daily weariness anc strain of it Frances concludes hei hel letter Mine are fine boys but bui constant criticism and nagging up upset upset upset set their nerves as they do mine Sons Had Dad to Work Incidentally not one of the sons son finished high school for they all had to work in their middle teens Their father often oHen was absent from home for long periods They feel no resentment they want him to be comfortable But they dont don't want him around Does this sound utterly utter ly wrong and aid heartless a aYour Your law father is reaping what he has sowed He is physically physical physical- ly cared for well fed and comfort comfort- able Your own household goes on more smoothly and happily without that additional burden With four children a garden tenants meals and housework you have plenty to do Rise above the maddening in interference interference interference in- in of your friends to whom Gramp evidently is making an ap ap- ap- ap peal If you can get your doctor to say that Gramp is far better off where he is keeping to meal hours and controlled by the routine of an institution by all means do so so-it so it will give you OU a usable weapon But whether you get that tha t or not assume a firm attitude saying to everyone with mild sympathetic amusement that poor Gramp would not be happy anyway and is really an institution case now Let it goat goat go goat at that |