St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1869-06-25
EUjtOriUi.

About year ago somebody asked the
editor Of the Little Corporal, ''What
shall the children do on rainy days ?''
/ The editor lives in Il country where ii
rains sometimes, and | dare say, had
been sorely puzzled to answer that ques-
/ ton to the satisfaction of his own little
people. At any rate, he called on all
the fathers and mothers to help him
answer it, aud Il good many things were
suggested by some Of them. We've
tried some of them at our home. and
though they work very well, vet we have
come to the conclusion that, on the
whole, the best thing to do for children
at such times Is to 1T h,m dlDHe. None
but those who have had good deal OF
experience with children. can have any
idea of their wonderful ureHtire powers,
and when left 10 their own resources for
amusement there Is almost no limit TO
their contrivances. Give the little folks,
where it is possible, room to them
selves, and leave them to their own re-
sources. Suppose they do reduce your
/ dining room to utter confusion. You
can rearrange it in fifteen minutes, and
you have saved two hours by the opera
/ ton. know OF a family where two lit
/ tie boys ot five and seven amuse them
selve, from daylight till dusk, with only
short interval Tor lessons and meals
They have few playthings-a box OF
1 building blocks. an old clothes line, Il
pair OF scissors, carpet hammer and
paper OF tacks, and box where all the
bright bits OF paper that came into the
house are deposited. That is pretty
much all. but Oh q rainy day, or IA cold
one. they take possession OF the dinimg
room, and invent an unceasing round ct
amusement. suppose We peep III II
them. They have oeen busy for an hour
and very quiet, only the constant clattcr
OF their merry voices and now and then
an exclamation. What litter Iuu
teel as if you wanted to run for the
broom, but it Is only your stupidity
What YOU takr to be bits of white and
yellow paper scattered over the floor are
Je,tHitH lilies, III Il green meadow; thai
rope Engaging around is little brook
and those clothes pins grouped about the
dust brush are children having a picnic
under tall elm tree The oldest boy
explains it all with sparkling eyes, that
show how real it all Is to him. Perhaps
in few minutes, box of buttons will
be empticd on the table, and the buttons
arranged in companies OF soldiers, or the
blocks will be built into cages, and you
Will hear the Young exhibitor showing
Oft his animals, and describing the cle-
phant as he marches along, ''wh lang
eoyS Serer'y SAnttny."
Just as quick Is YOU try to help then
by any suggestions, you do mischief, an,
too many toys are only an evil. \
child'S imagination is vivid enough t,
help him out of any difficulties in thi
life. If you will only give it play.
SAID busy mother: Il have spent
many hours in roniiqy to my children :
many in trying to teucl. them, but never
one, unless they were sick, in trying to
anta>e them. They have been taugh
from babyhood TO amuse themselves"
SO feel like saying to the hundred
and thousands of busy mothers, te,,ct you
Ichil,irsn 10 ctuulSe Themselves, and to 90 thi
you need only 10 give them the opportu
nifty, and then let them alone. EnaL
IHuHtiHGtOu Miller.