Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-01-26
DaiIu Kennebrr 3ournaI.
Parents and Children.

There is tendency on the part of some
mothers to do SO much for their children
that virtually premium Is placed upon
selfshness. The child whose.every wish
is anticiDated and for whom nothing Is too
good is apt to grow up an exceedingly
unpleasant person. unless indeed, there
be an extraordinary amount of natural
good in him to counterbalance the undue
indulgence. Shielding children from
every chilling breath of life's air begets a
love of ease and selfish enjoyment which
becomes fixed when childhood is past. A
mother, for example, had denied herself
every comfort. She had risen early, and
had taken rest late in order that her
daughters might have perfectly happy
girlhood' No duty was exacted of them.
II they were minded to help they might
do so, if not there was no one to ease the
weary mother of her burden. Small won
der is it that after these girls grew up
their sole thought was for self. The
mother was ignored by them; disrespect
fully spoken of as "old-fashioned" and
~ ithout taste" Indeed. she was only
regarded as one who could bake and brew
and was even "ordered''-no other word
can be used-to wait upon them while
they lolled in their easy chairs. Never
having been taught to spend and be spent
in doing good, these Young women were
not the helpers of those in need and never
carried sunshine into darkened homes
Even their best friends tired of them, and
their lives were unlovely and discomfort
ed There can he no happiness in life un-
less the straight line of duty, which leads
t. .'beauty's curve" be conscientiously
followed Let every mother inculcate
in her children's minds that it is more
blessed to give than to receive.
The opposite of this unpleasant picture
is seen in a family OF seven daughters
reared in wealth and luxury. There was
no absolute need of thelrdoing any house
hold work. as there were man servants
and maid servants" enough to perform
every duty. Although her desire first was
To make her children happy, the mother OF
these girls knew there could be no happl-
ness without work so each child had her
special duty and was held to strict ac-
couutabillty for its performance. The
mother was the central sun around which
all revolved her slightest wish was as
the command of an empress, so perfectly
was it obeyed. The one thought was Ito
/ help, to please mother And the family
was devoted to good works. In later years,
when the older daughters had grown up,
the whirligig of time brought severe re.
verses-so severe that the beautiful home
replete with all that culture and wealth
could command. had to be given up and
/ n new home found among strangers. Was
/ word OF repning heard? No, although
! the new home was small. and without a
trace OF those comforts to which the fami-
" had been accustomed. But the girls
Immediately set to work to alter the dead
level of disagreeableness, and make the
desert blossom as the rose" The united
endeavor OF their willing hands under the
supervision of the mother, soon made a
bower of beauty of the bare habitation
1t became place of reireshment to all
who had the privilege of visiting it. These
girls bring sunshine into every place. and
the desire to help every one with whom
they come in contact is as natural to then
as it is for them to breathe -NeW YorA
Commercial Aduertiser.