The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-05-20
Chndren's Rights.
Chicago Magazine.1


novel lawsuit has lately Desn brought
In an Eastern State which may call attention
to matter which has received far too little
consideration. A gentleman who was "a
widower died, leaving an estate of moderate
size to be equally divided between SIX coil.
dren, the eldest and youngest being daughters.
The eldest sister, now past thirty six years
of age, had bean her fathers housekeeDer,
and IN q certain sense servsnt to the whole
family since her sixteenth year. She is now
broken in health and unable to do anything
on account of her long attendance on her
fathers sick bed. Her brothers are all hale
and strong have never done anything for
the iamily, have all received an education
which she was deprived of because her esr-
vices could not be dispensed with by her
father. and she now brings salt sgainst her
fathers estate to recover wages since her
coming OF age, as her pro'rata share OF the
estate IS not sptncient to support her.
The injustice often shown by parents in
similar cases to elder children especially If
those children be daughters, is q matter of
surprise and indignation when il is rightly
considered. The old doctrine that ths priH-
cipal obligation between parents and ohtl.
dren was upon the children is happily nearly
exploded. The days when parents could
make claims TO the service of their children
simply upon the ground that children
owed their existence to them ara
gone by. On the contrary, society is
beginning 10 realize the infinite obligation
that parents are under to their children the
least that parents can do is TO labor unceas
ingly, and sacrifice themselves unspariugly
for the good of their children, and in cases
of large families to deal Justly with them if
they have laid upon tie shoulders of the
der the burden ofrearing the younger.
The age by which parents can control and
compel the service of children has been fixed
by law in the case of sons, but the interests
nf dun hon M v1a aH
And who is there. in looking over his circle
of acquaintance but can note numerous in
stan ces of faithful elder daughter giving
up the bloom and flower of her youth and
stIen 9Th to help raise the younger children
Years OF patient, uncopplsiniDg uure warded
toll and care are uDselfshly bestowed on
th0ughtless, exactiDg younger brothers.
The sister has made an cared for their ward
robes, has humored their whims and cap
rices in the preparation of food, has looked
after the comfort and furnishing of thsir
apartments, has entertained their company
ar d been liz fact willing servant to them
only TO find in a large proportion of cases
that this service is taken as q matter VI
course, and that no return of special graft
tude or Of pecuniary compensation is ever
thought OF. Happy msy such sister feel
herself should she in aftsr years be left with
out property ii they do not give her to uH-
deIstand that she is an annoying deper d
ant.
To prevent such injustice should be the es
pecial care of parents. They are culpsbly
wrong who allow their younger children to
receive such service and such sacrifice az a
matter of course. If parents find that the
constant service OF an elder daughter is
needed for the comfort of the younger chill
dfen, let them enter into obligations to res
ogDize the value of such service. aud to com
pei the younger children 10 recognize it No
elder daughter upon whom devolves the care
OF family, but would be happier and more
selfresrecting il the parents should say:
Our daughters services are worth certain
salary every year; she shall have It or Our
obligations for it, and when il comes to di-
vidiDg the property let that claim be paid
FIST like any other just claim. and then let
the equal division be made of the remainder.
Such provision would often be q check to
thoughtless and selfish brothers and youog 81
children, and would work good in every
way.
1t has been said that nothing stings the
heart 80 deeply as ingratltude. There is q
deeper sting; ii 10 injustice. And sharper
than a serpent's tooth Is the sting o; njus-
ice shown by those eff our own blood and
kindred. Let rs have the most perfect JUS.
tice in the near and dear relations of life,
and then those relations will have a solid ba-
sis for lasting affection and happiness.