San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-08-05
NEED OF MOTHERS CARE.
LET THERE BE CONFIDENCE BE-
TWEEN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER.


American Customs in This ParticuIar-A
Mothers WatchfuIness Needed i'm the
Ballroom. the Theatre and at Home.
We read that the foreigner, on coming to
this country, is amazed at the relation of the
American mother and daughter, the attitude
Of the latter being so entirely different from
that he has seen in any other civilized land
If we have never considered the subject be-
fore, we look about us and see that the charge
is true, for neither in our homes nor in those
of our friends do we find that the American
girl regards her mothers word as the ulti
matum to be quite fair we are obliged to
acknowledge that the opposite is the case,
and when meet daughter entirely obedient,
deferring TO her parent and, above all, rev,
erenCing her opinion, we are conscious of
feeling of surprise In the average Amert-
can home the mother, perforce, remains in
the background. the ambitious and educated
daughter bringing new atmosphere about
her which intimidates and often Expresses
the less educated parent to such degree that
she usually retires from the drawing room
into her own private room, where a slip of
grammer is not serious matter and the con
versation consists of some lighter topic than
evolution and the poetry of Browning
THE MANEUvERING MOTHER.
In the home of fashion and culture the mo-
Their has her set of acquaintance and partic-
ular fadS, and is often so wearied with the
demands upon her time as to leave little or
no leisure to look with close attention upon
the coming and going Of her young daughter
She, poor child, has made her debut and
nas been launched into the gay world by a
grand ball, cards have been sent to all de
sirable people, wealth and social distinction
have united in making her welcome to her
share in the great scramble called society"
and now she is left to do her best, to hold her
own, for she will meet many who in their
eagerneSs for the race will push and jostle her
hitherto innocent notion out of sight, and
teach her that all is fair in the social war,
where victory implies rich marriage or such
prestige as will open doors closed but to the
favored few.
Have ever heard of that detesatble crea.
ture called the maneuvering motherl"
y, yes, and | astOnIsh my interlOcutor by
replying: II respect her more than the care
less mother, for the nlaneuverer betrays an
interest and care for her young, and in
measure looks out for her welfare and com
pelS the child to feel that she is still held &C,
cOuntable to some specified authority NY
young CountrywOman, feeling that she is her
own mistress and a law unto herself, steps
out with the freedom of rapid PAGER, who,
being free of check rein, gets off the track
before he knows it, and when time is called
is with his jockey quite out of hearing
1t is this question Of calling time with
which | wish to deal Who is to call time9
How often it is needed, those who go to balls
and large assembIages Of any sort will agree.
My young countrywoman, as sweet as a
rose-fOr who can compare with the Ameri-
can girl III her early bloom?-comes to the
ball with her partner young fellow. Where
Is her matrOn? Mother is at home or cnrag-
ed elsewhere; perhaps her name has been
mentioned to one of the patronesses, but this
is not the rule, and so mademoisele has it all
her own way; she may sit all evening under
shading palm, discussing sweet nothings, or
she may dance with one man simply because
lis step and hers agree, or, if one of the
quIeter sort, she may remain at the wall, sad
aud forlorn
MUCH SORROW HAY BE AVOIDED.
This carries us on to the more serious occu-
ton of courtship; when a young man visits
young lady, hold that some of her family
house; if he is only an occasional caller, or a
sultoT, the necessity is equal; where there is
a parlor and library adjoining why may not
the parents sit in the next room, an iudorse-
ment for their daughter, their age and ex-
perience making proper background for
her youth and innocence
No go d man will shrink from a girl be-
cause she is an object of proper solicitude on
the part Of her natural care takers, and he
will feel that that more honor is due her,
from the fact that she has been jealousy
guarded from any evil during the period of !
her girlhocl.
Then tie parents would become acquainted |
with their daughters friends, and have some
knowledge Of the men who frequent their |
house, instead OF delaying the introduction, |
as Is sometimes the case, until after the en-
gagement, when it is too late to make obiec- |
tons and the contract must stand, come veal !
or woe, and in how many cases woe" is the !
result we have but TO turn to the register for
divorce to learn.
AucA sorrow and trouble might be avoided .
by perfect confidence being observed between .
mother aai uaughler-protecJiug love from
Be-. enc. ,-uI". dependence from the other