The Red Cloud chief., 1881-08-18
Children at the Tail.

Among the upper and middle classes
of English society the practice oil $50
lating children from the general family
life is much in vogue. They have their
nurses and governesses, are kept much
i'm the open air, and spend more time
in the country than in the city. What
ever dissipation the London season may
bring 10 their elders, the effects do not
reach the children. The little ones
have their full amount OF sleep, and al
by themselves and not with the family.
while their food is palmer than that
upon the tables of their fathers and
mothers. To some extent this custom
reaches to the lower classes.
A German child, on the contrary, sits
or stands ut the table with his elders
and consumes his full share of food and
drink, while frequently very little at
tention is paid to decorous
\ few American families, who have
wealth sufficient to afford n large reti-
nue. of servants. accustom their chill
dren TO the same table habits at least
rs do the upper English classes. Yet
to have a child'S table is far from being
! the American style. Some sensible
fathers and mothers. while permitting
their little ones at the same table as
themselves. do restrict them to palmer
food; and demand of them a quiet de-
meanor whilein the breakfast or dining
room. To strictly carry ont this system
requires vigilance on the part of the
parent. and no little self-denial on that
of the child. To be constantly watch
ing the movements Of little folks will
more or less break up the harmony of
the meal, and to place palatable food
before 4 child, of which it may not par
take. is a frequent cause of demands
and concessions annoying in the eX-
treme. This can be avoided by having
the children served in the nursery =
half hour or more before the family
meal. and if it is ~impracticable 10 hire
attendants. the mother herself 4 sit at
their table and serve them
Possibly this arrangement might serve
SIS an aid to check the rampant growth
of Young Americanism." of which we
hear so much. Such q suggestion will
undoubtedly shock many excellent
parents. who firmly believe in little
ladies and little gentlemen. But old
heads on young shoulders are so much
the fashion that the style is becoming
somewhat stilted, and the element of
reverence is fast becoming eliminated
from the typical American character.
Children ought TO be children. and
not miniature men and women. and iso-
lation tends TO keep them so. Even at
their own table their manner should be
carefully watched. and all tendencies to
greediness or ill-temper quickly
checked.
If impossible or undesirable, for any
reason, 10 make this family arrange
ment, then the children's place and
rights and the family table should be
carefully respected. and a quiet, re-
spectfui department insisted upon.
Bibs are all but necessary for little
folks They should be large and tie
about the neck with tapes. Brown or
white linen of coarse texture make
serviceable ones, or they can be made
of gingham.
Ceresls, milk and fruit should form q
large share of their food, though there
r exceptional cases in which meat in
considerable quantity may be eaten
with benef: by the child. Fresh berries
or canned or stewed fruit is always
preferable TO preserved, and sweet
baked apples invaluable. Simply
cooked oaten meal, wheaton grits.
hominy, rice, etc, and plenty of milk
IN sufficient quantity to satisfy hunger
should never be denied . growing