The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-08-21

saw in newspaper few days ago q little
piece about children that recalled an amusing
incident that occurred during the cotton ex-
position some years ago in Atlanta. Our city
at that time could scarcely accommodate the
crowds, and it was not an uncommon occurrence
to be called on at any time and asked ii we
could not accommodate persons who had been
walking the streets for hours trying to find
boarding houses. Every house was full On
enc occasion having spent the evening out
came home late to find my daughter had
given up her room to three strangers who had
excited her sympathy. They had come in on
an excursion train from North Carolina, and
had walked the streets until nine o'clock at
night looking for a resting place. 1t was a
gainy night. and when our door bell rang and
Che piteous appeal TO be taken in came, she
could not resist it. and we never regretted it,
for they were charming people. But it became
amusing when people with children tried to
get board. Sitting on my verandah one morn
ing, gentleman and lady passing stopped and
asked if they could get board. They looked
very tired and L felt sorry for them and hest
tated moment, then asked: "Have you any
children? There came an amused smile to
the weary face as the gentleman replied:
eyes, three then I said 81 am sorry, but
cannot accommodate you He told me then
that the same question had been asked at
dozens of places, and had it not been for the
children they could have easily found a rest
ing place, and as they turned off, he laughed
and said: 81 see but one thing left for us to
do-send our children all to the orphan
asylum and then some one will take us in"
This incident was recalled on seeing the fol-
lowing, which shows how children are dreaded
By landlords and boarding housekeepers:
Landlord-"Yes, madam, that house is for
gent. Sit down."
Desperate Applicant.-"Thank you. Twas
never so nearly dead in my life. | believe l
have walked fifty miles today trying to get
house. How much is the rent"
Landlord-Only-by tlae way, madam, have
you any children?
Applicant-"Um er no.
LandIord-'You seem to hesitate about it."
"Applicant-"Well, the fact is, 1 have
children, but I'm going to kill them tonight"
Poor children; it is almost looked upon as
crime to be a child-that is by landlords and
boarding house keepers. Now where does the
fault lie with the children for being children?
No indeed what on earth is sweeter or more
interesting than family of orderly, obedient,
wen-behaved children, and who is accountable
Tor this state of affairs? The parents, of
course! l have been in boarding houses
where children were perfect nuisance.
have had people in my own house whose chill
dren were trials to the flesh and spirit. They
were allowed to do Just as they pleased; never
Feproved or slepeed when among grown
people; allowed to roam all over the house,
handle books and pictures, and indeed any
thing they desired, constantly interrupting
conversations by all sorts of absurd requests,
and annoying every one generally. The chill
dren are not to blame for this. 1t is perfectly
natural for children to be bad unless there is
some discipline exercised. Children are
naturally destructive in their nature; they had
rather cut and whack up an article to see how
1t is made than to eat. How often do you see
the walls of house defaced and the banisters
Of a piazza cut where a boy has been whiting
and in many other ways the property ruined
Usually this is rented property, for parents are
n little moro careful when it is their own.
So it is not to be wondered at that people with
such children are not desirable tenants, and it
Is hard to find houses, but my sympathy al
WAYS goes out TO the children, and of the two
would rather have the children around than
the parents. You can excuse bad child who
has been unfortunately raised, but there is no
accuse for the parent who has had committed
to their keeping these little immortal sous
capable of being moulded just as they desire,
for good or evil that they should neglect so
sacred o trust until their offspring are dis
agreeable to every one who Is so unfortunate
as to be thrown in their society. We sadly
need a reform in the behavior and manners of
children.