The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-02-12
Sunshine.

inveterate prejudice against sunshine.
Men have not. Going into physician
Office few days ago, said to myself,
"Ah here is a man true to his vOca-
ton: he does not preach sunshine, light
and mir to others, and do without them
himself" How the glad sunshine
streamed in at the windows, as II fairly
reveling in its strength and health-giv-
ing power
On these bright days, as the sunshine
softly shimmers down, how it cries
aloud to us. even in tones OF beseech-
ment, LET me come unto you, for am
life and gladness."
You can generally tell n bachelors
APARTMENT: the blinds are flung wide
open. and if IL woman dared to enter
those rooms-which that time-honored
lady. Madame Grundy, forbids-prob-
ably she would find dust an inch thick,
scraps of paper, perchance love letters,
strewn about the floor, withered bo-
quets and cigar stumps, side by side, IN
loving proximity, upon the mantel, and
the latest work of art by Monsieur Spi-
dere adjoining the walls, while books
and papers and everything else "under
the sun" was scattered around in Widest
confusion, and, to her critical eyes,
seem going to crack and ruin" But
they are not, for the sunlight is there,
clarifying everything; and see! it is en-
tangled in monsieur's masterpiece, and
did Won ever see such beautiful lin
terror" as that? And here is something
quite suggestive, dainty little glove
living upon an open book; the sunlight
dances lightly upon it, and grand
transformation scene takes place A be-
witching young creature, with golden
hair, blue eyes and pinned-back skirts
slowly rises out of the glove; cloudlet
obscurcs the sun for a moment, and
nothing but the glove remains.
Taking that glove for clew, let us
try and find the owner. Well, here is
the house-the abode of wealth, no
doubt. We enter; beautiful paintings
are upon the walls, objects OF rirt~ are
scattered about, curiosities collected
from Nova Zembla to New Zealand, rare
gems and minerals, books, everything,
in fact, that can delight the eye; but we
see none of these things; we know they
are there, because it is 1.-The thing" for
them to be there; "a dim religious
light" prevails; evidently the hand that
belongs in that little glove is despotic
hand, and rules with mighty sway; cur
tains, blinds, shades, every appliance
has been called into requisition to keep
ont the light.
l think, however, that l begin to
discern signs of better times, for amid
the myriad wants" advertised "sunny
rooms."" southern exposure" are called
for. But in many cases these sunny
rooms are appropriated by the mothers;
while the poor little children are poked
off in back room, without ray OF sun
light. In most instances, however,
neither mother nor children have sun
shine: Ii the mother chooses to com
nit suicide, it is all very we'll; but we
cannot afford to do without the little
children; and it is nothing less than
slow murder to deprive them of that
which gives them good health and sunny
tempers.
III should tell mother that she
Thought more of q carpet than she did
of the child, she would be indignant
and shocked; yet, practically, she does.
As for her beloved plants, the best win
dow in the whole house is given up to
them. and her bird fares thousand
times better than the children; that
must have sunshine, whether or no.
NV dear Mrs. Shadleigh, wish you
would read Charles Reades gospe! OF
light. that wonderful book, "Never Too
Late to Mend" land that is an appro-
pirate title, too, in this connection), in
which the baneful effects of darkness
upon the human system are s graphic
ailv depicted, when strong man, after
being confined for six hours in utter
darkness. comes tottering forth, trem-
bling from head to foot, his whole frame
unstrung, with an awful dread and hor-
ror upon him, and weak rs an infant.
Mrs. Shadleigh, this is no fine theory or
fancy sketch, but the result of actual ex-
pertinent.
The italian beggar, deprived Of his
customary dole, lies down in his beloved
sunshine after night Of unrest; it is
far better than cup of coffee or tea.
This morning. after the days OF rain
and gloom we have had, l opened the
window and said, "Come in, Mr.. Sun"
When came back the bed was made,
room swept, and blinds religiously
closed; and that's just the way it is; ser
want girls take their cue from their mis-
tresses, and think q room is not IN order
unless the blinds are closed.
In the first place, what can be more
beautiful than the sunshine? In the
last and twentieth place, what can be
more healthful?
I only wish sunshine could be corked
mn and nut in bottle and Laid by for
a rainy day, and that from out the dark,
mysterious womb Of the future the com,