Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-10-23
Mothers and Their Children.

l
There is tendency on the part of
some mothers to do so much for their
children that virtually a premium is
placed upon selfshness. The child
whose very wish is anticipated, and for
whom nothing is too good, is apt to
grow up an exceedingly unpleasant per-
son, unless, indeed, there be an extraor-
binary amount of natural good in him to
counterbalance the undue indulgence
Shielding children from every chilling
breath of LIES air begets a life Of ease
and selfish enjoyment which becomes
fixed when childhood is past. A mother,
for example. had denied herself of every
comfort. She had risen early, and
taken rest late, in order that her daugh-
tiers might have perfectly happy girl
hood" No duty was exacted of them.
If they minded to help they might do 80;
if not, there was no one to ease the
weary mother of her burden. Small
wonder is it that after these girls grew
up their sole thought was for self. The
mother was ignored by them; disre-
spectfully spoken of as ''old fashioned"
and "without 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 dong good, these
young women were not the helpers of
those in need, and never carried SUM-
shine into darkened homes. Even their
best friends tired of them, and their lives
were unlovely and Discontinued. There
can be no happiness in life unless the
straight line Of duty, which leads to
"beauty's curve" be conscientiously fol-
lowed. Let every mother inculate in
her children's minds that it IL more
blessed to give than to receive.
The opposite Of this unpleasant pic
ture is seen in family of seven daugh-
ters, reared in wealth and luxury. There
was no absolute need of their doing any
household work, as there were imam |
servants and maid servants" enough to
perform every duty. Although her first
desire was to made her children happy,
the mother Of these girls knew there
could be no happiness without work; so
each child had her special duty and was
held to strict accountability for its per-
Torrance. The mother was the central
sun around which they all revolved; her
slightest wish was the command Of an
so perfeosly was it obeyed. The
one thought was ito 'help to please
mother" And the family was devoted
10 good works. In later years when
he older daughters had grown up, the
whirligig of time brought severe re-
yerses-so severe that the beautiful home
.eplete with all that culture and wealth
.ould command, had to be given up and
. new home found among strangers.
Was word OF repiniDg heard? No; al
hough the new home was small. COM
nonplace and without trace Of those
comforts to which the family had been
But the girls Immediately
et to work to alter the dead level of .
and make ''the desert !
,loesom az the rose" The united an ,
lesvors of their trained and willing
lsnds, under the supervision Of the
mother, soon made bower Of beauty OF
he bare habitation. It became a place
1 refreshment to all who had the priv I
-ge of visiting it. These girls bring
unshine into every place. ana the desire
o help every one with whom they come
D contact IL " nsural to than % il i !;
" them n breathe.
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