The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-03-23

Mrs. Turmoyle, being a woman Of
sense, dill not continue the argument, but
mentally resolved to see Mrs. Stone the
next day and talk with her about the
wonderful secret of having Ave children
and a quiet house.
II am sure can't do'it" the gentle.
loving mother thought, with sigh. .
Seated the next morning in close con-
versation, the ladies presented a contrast,
as marked as the atmosphere of their
own houses. The tiny, bluN-eyed wo
man who had no heart to suppress
Toms merry whistle or Bessie's slvery
laugh, had left home where constant
care only secured cleanliness, and where
childish disorder was manifest every
where bht in the best parlor, She look
ed at the tall, dark haired woman oppo-
site her, noted tire exquisite morning
dress, faced with light silk, spotless and
unrumpled, and thought regretfully of
marks of ten chubby fingers upon her
own, printed there when her boy baby,
her darling Mark, just succeeded N for
cling piece Of his sweetest candy into
mama's mouth. She noted the dainty
order of the sittng-room, where every
chair stood primly in its appointed place,
and not even thread rested upon the
carpet, and remembered Marks stable
for his '''spress cart" and horses under
the lounge, and Bessie keeping house on
the lower shelf of the big book case.
Visions haunted her also of snippings
of paper, bits of string and odds and
ends of dolls fnery upon the table, -
Drifting from one scrap of matronly talk
to another, the ladies came naturally to
the care ard management of children,
and Mrs. Turmoyle complimented hel
neighbor upon the appearance of hel
house and the proficiency of her little
ones
81 cannot understand how you accom-
plish it, she said frankly.
"By SYSTEM" was the reply. ''The
education of my children begins, / may
say, in their cradles As soon as they
can walk they have their own proper
place in the room, and are trained to
perfect silence when older persons are
present.
"At two years of age I teach my chill
dren their letters, and after that they are
sent to school. All of them were enter
ed, at three years Of age, at a private
school, and at five public one. In the
intervals of school hours my boys have
geographical puzzles, spelling games and
problems, and my girls are taught sew
ing"
"But when do they play p
"Their games and puzzles are suffi
cient amusement for the boys, and | al
low the girls to cut and fit clothing for {
large wax doll
"But do they not have any hours
for running, balls, kites, and other out
door play ?n ---------.
dfsapprove entirely OF out-aoo1
play. 1t ruins clothing and makes chill
dren rude. They have out door exer
else in long walk to and from school
As she spoke the hall door opened
quietly and fall of footsteps crossed tht
hall to the sitting.room. Five children
three girls and two boys, came in will
languid footsteps and pale faces, from
which all childishness seemed stricken
Spotlessly clean, with shiny hair and pol
ished boots, they followed in orderly
fashion on the lead of the eldest, wht
stood before his mother, waiting for per
mission to speak
"Well, my son?' she said quietly.
"There isn't school this afternoon
The senior class is to be examined" h
said WEAKLY.
"No school. Very well. l will Sc
you some sums after dinner, and fin,
you some words to study in the diction
ary." ae sIlpa
Silently the five sat down until tn
visitor departed, uncomfortably con
scious of ten weary eyes and FIVE pallid
|pinched faces.
Crossing her own doorway Mrs Tul
moyle was greeted by merry duet.
"No school! No SCHOOL,
Then the tenor solo:
"Won't you make some hobs for m
kite, mamma? There's a splendi
wind" ii "a,J a55
Followed by sweet soprano: -
"Oh, mamma, you promised the frs
holiday you would trim my dolls Dor
net.'
81 ant kite, too !''i chimed in Mari
"Oh, let me get my breath r. cried th
little woman. "Wheres your hat. Tom.
"Oh. l forgot" said Tom, sweeping
off with profound bow Here, tax
this chair. And let me take your Dor
net and sacqne up stairs. You are tired
Never mind the bobs if you are yer
tired
"Tll help make them," said Bessie
sand I'll go watch Tom, mamma, if yo
don't feel like making the bonnet"
SWELL see after dinner" said Mr..
1 Tufmoyle, looking from one round, ,ros
face 20 the other, marking the sturd
limbs and dancing eyes. To be sure th
, hair of all three must be reduced from
state of rebellion before they were prt
sentable at the table, and soap and waite
we're pleasant suggestions in the mater
nal eyes. There was perfect health an
!, happiness, if the voices were shrill an
the boots noisy.
"I've been to see Mrs Stons," sh
said, when, washed and combed, be
: children gathered around her to wait fc
papa ard dinner, "and l wondered if
could make my children as quiet and o.
) derly as hers"
"Willie Stone is a milksopr said Ton
, contemptuously, "always crying becaus
his head aches. He can't play anythin.
and daren't move for fear of spelling b
clothes, He wouldn't play foot ball fc
fear be would get dust on his boots.-
, There's nice boy for you'll He migl
as we'll be girl at once"
"And, mother,the teacher had 10 wri
a note to Mrs. Stone the day John Ora
spilled the ink on Msud's apron. 81
5 was so afraid to GO home, it was awfu
: She said her mother would whip her, an
!, keep her on bread and water for who
day. Mrs Lee told her TO say it WASH
her fault, but she said she wouldn't b
lieve her."
dinner! and here comes papa!' crit
Tom.
!. &c Mr.. Turmoyle came in with vel