The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-08-18
OUR LITTLE GIRLS.
WHAT Is sPOILINa THE DEAREST THINGS on
EARTH.


1t Is really becoming a question OF import
ance whether OF not we are much longer to
have any little girls In our midst The pre-
sent high pressure system Of education forces
them into 'yOung ladies" while they ought
stll 10 be in the sheltered privacy Of the nur-
sery and the school room.
1 sm not overstating the ease when de-
clare that little girl, simple. sweet, limo
| cent, unconscious Of herself, and willing to
be guided by her parents, is just now very
lovable, but. alas a very rare treasure. More
than one mother is puzzled by the problem
"HOw am to bring up my daughter so that
she shall preserve until her dawning woman
hood the sweet charm of girlish delicacy un-
touched and unthreatened 2' Little maids
Of ten and twelve, going to school with their
primary grammars and aTithmetics in their
dimpled hands, blush and simper if a boy
happens to pass. Little girls sitting by win
dOws, sewing up seams under their mothers
direction, have their attention diverted by
the neighbOr's son on his way to the post Of
fee. The cOmmOnest courtesy cannot be ex-
tended by 3 little gentleman to a little lady
without some other child and perhaps some
silly grown person. being prompted TO talk OF
''Susie's beau" Children who should play
together like little children, and not fiirt and
coQuette like premature men and women,
have gone quite beyond the stage Of being
Juvenile.
Formerly, modest. obedient and gentle be
havior was expected, as a matter Of course,
from every little daughter Of a respectable
family. 1t was not supposed that people OF
gentle birth and manners would tolerate in
their children department which BELTS the
lower and unframed orders Of society. To-
day well-bTed boy Is a delight, and when
we travel, mingling with strangers in hotels
and on railroads, we single out from the mis-
cellaneOus crowds those who have been
taught how to conduct themselves az Ereeably.
The majority of youthful travellers have the
manners Of young barbarians. They are
clamorous, selfish, loud, devoted to eating all
sorts OF dainties, and they make their vicin-
age place to be avoided. Young women,
too, not unfrequently behave in a Way so
thoughtless and giddy as to att ract attention
on the promenade and in public conveyance,
and they do so, not from unfeminine coarse
ness, but because they were not allowed at
the proper period TO be little girls, loved and
taught, and kept in the happy background OF
home, as little girls should be.
What is the duty Of those who have the
responsibility of educating and moulding the
future women of the nation Manifestly it
is, as soon as practicable, to return TO the
simplicity of our wise mothers and grand
mothers. Let the little girls at least be set
free from the dominion OF fashion Plain.
/ stout, seTviceable dresses, loose enough to
/ allow the lungs fun play, thick shoes, broad
I sunhats, should be given to the girls, and
! they should be permitted to run, skip, climb.
/ and jump out Of doors In the day time TO
! their hearts content. This will not make
/ them hOydens. It will simply give TO their
animal spirits the same healthy vent which
/ everybody admits their brothers must have
/ Inculcate upon them by precept and example
! the most exquisite neatness and cleanliness.
I A little girls aprons and collars should be
! daintily clean, and she should be taught to
hate sOiled and tawdry finery.
Let the mother take time 10 be her daugh-
ter's intimate friend, receiving all her little
condolences, and giving her advice, even if to
do this she must surrender some other en-
gagement.