The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-08-01
How the World is Filled with Made-0ver
People.


"Wanted--A girl to make over
The above appeared in the advertis-
ing column of city paper. IL is so
indefinite that she reader is left to ina
gination as TO whether the girl is want
ed to make over as a wife, or seam
ter, or merely to serve as model for
some one whose training, prejudices,
bigotries and ambitions are seeking for
an educational outlet.
Every day some young man is look
ing for a girl to make over. While
she is his sweetheart she is simply per-
feet, but as soon as the honeymoon is
ended for the making over process be-
gins. 1t has its regular formulas, one
Of which is like this +:
"Did you make those biscuits, Hell
en- 2"
"Yes, dear they're not quite right,
but ! am going to improve on them
81 supposed you knew how TO make
bread when l married you
"Why, Charlie didn't want to
wait year on purpose to learn how TO
cook, and you said you never cared
what you eat, and didn't want to marry
a cook, and all that y
"Pshaw never said such word.
Give these bullets to the cat and kill
her. Id give anything for one of my
mothers tea-rolls.'
'sWell, dear, will write to her for
recipe. I'LL try hard to learn
But man who finds fault with one
thing will find fault with another. 1t
does not occur to the young husband
and that his mother is so years old and a
farmers daughter and that he married
school girl who is as different from
the mother.stripe. as he is from the
father-pattern. He is just capable of
expecting her to make sausage and soft
soap as mother did. Eventually he
makes her over into nondescript that
is neither companionable wife nor
comfortable housekeeper. And his
highest praise is the omission of fault
| finding.
David Copperfeld tried the making
over process on sweet, sunny little
Dora, his child-wife. She tried to live
up to his kitchen and market require
ments, but was glad to die and end
condition SO unsatisfactory.
Children are perpetually required to
make over. An original child is run
in groove, fitted to another soul. 1t
is dwarfed and expanded at the arbi-
trary will of parents, until it becomes
an epitome of its father, mother, uncle
or cousin. These Gadgrinds of learn
irg incline the twig in their way, give
it their limited sky to reach, and when
it is no longer a living branch of air
and sunshine md riotous life, point to
it as the dry stock of their grating.
The world is full of madeover peo
pie. A great number went early to
their graves, discouraged with the
demands made upon them.
"What shall do to cure my young
daughter of laughing and looking in
the glass ?" wrote a mother to a
celebrated divine. And the answer
came:
'Let her alone. Time and sorrow will
cure her of both, all too SOON"
A popular novelist has depicted
scene between a husband and wife,
where wife wishes to take a journey
for her health.
"You don't want to travel" says the
considerate husband. at will disagree
with you ; travelling always disagrees
with me-
She urges a sea-voyage.
"You will be sea sick-a voyage al
ways makes me sick Etc, ETC.,
etc. ......
Made-over people, like made-over
clothes, are weak and ureliable. 1t is
no sign because Johns father is a shoe
maker or farmer that John will be. He
might do worse, but he may do better.
At any rate he has right to ascertain
his own value and do that best fitted
for him. BLESSED, thrice blessed. is
the man who has found his work." gays
Carlyle. "Let him seek no other bless.
edness.
1t is responsibility the thoughtful
capable soul will shrink from, that OF
making a human life. But the narrow,
unwise, bigoted theorist is always will
; ing to try his hand, on the principle
that ''fools rush in where angels fear tc
, tread