Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-01-25
III They Knew.

Recently mother spoke to us in respect
to her daughter, as having great anxiety in
respect to her course. The girl, of about
fifteen, was one of more than ordinary
good qualities. A fine scholar, little way
ward at times in her temper of mind, but
with many lovable qualities, fitted by nature
for the best type of womanhood, but with
great buoyancy OF spirits aud fondness for
company, captivated with the glitter of gay
society. She had not yet entered society,
but was approaching its verge, and delighted
with its prospects. Her parents were quite
strict-wisely so, we think-in their notions
concerning the influence of social frivolities
on the minds of the young. The girl hun
gered and thirsted after the enjoyment of
the dance and the theater, not indiscrimin-
ately, but under limitations. The culture
ana c-ace which she fancied the first might
give, and the historical knowledge which
the second might impart, seemed most de-
sirable attainments to her mind. So some
older friends had made her believe. Not
very kindly had they made her believe it
when their teachings were counter to those
of her careful parents. "Now," said the
mother, Z" if my daughter will appreciate
the advantages of the best education she
shall have it. We will spare no expense or
care, and she shall have the best training.
But if she is to give herself up to the light
frivolities of life, and will have no higher
ambition than to move with the common
mass, such advantages would be of no ben
eft to her; they would be thrown away.
If she is only to be butterfly among but
terflies, there is no use of wasting years of
solcitude on her education, and money that
might be put to some better use. She is
getting old enough to have some apprecia-
ton of the case, and of the future outcome
OF early training. We shall go as far as we
can see any reasonable prospect OF realizing
our desire, and then stop" What the issue
of this particular case may be we do not
know. That daughter is now in school,
pursuing with commendable zeal her educa-
ton, but still in her heart evidently longing
for the charms of gay society. She vibrates
between the two posi- sibilities noble wo-
manhood on the one hand, and frivolous
womanhood on the other. She has abun-
dant capabilities for the former. 1t is not
every girl that has the help at hand which
she enjoys. But If each would take advan-
tage OF what she has, and fight her battle
alone, If she must, to honor and influence, it
would be most cheering. What is true OF
girls is equally true OF boys, only with some
change OF circumstances. If they only knew
that certain courses OF conduct inevitably
lead on to honor, and the respect of the
world it seems they would be ambitious to
attain these ends by these means. Grapes
are not gathered from thorns, nor figs from
thistles Tares sown in the seed time will
reap tares, not wheat, in the harvest. The
fault of failure is not by any means always
rents and guides who never instruct them in
these fundamental truths; who, unlike the
mother above alluded TO, allow their chill.
dren TO drift, the sport of any chance cur
rent. Indeed, not a few parents are them
selves the leaders and guides of their chill
dren into the follies which effectually pre-
vent the attainment of any high ideal. So
little do they seem to understand their own
or the mission of their children, and the
lofty future to which they might attain
| Watch Tower.