Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-01
THE OLD-TIME LITTLE GIRL.
She Was Quite Different From the Small
Young Lady of To-Day.

The pert. fippant manner of the
schoolgirl and school-boy of to-day is
no doubt partly due to the stye of
dress worn by children of the present
time and to the kind of matter now
found in the readers used in our pub
lie schools, says Zenas Dare in Time.
If any thinking person will browse
around in his or her attic and lind
school reader of forty years ago the
difference between it and the reader of
to-day will be seen at once. The
marked difference in the style of dress
will also be revealed, and there can be
no doubt if that chaste, and graceful,
and beautiful garment, the pantalet.
could again be worn by the children
and ladies of to-day. it would bring
with it degree of misery that would
decrease the giddiness of our young
people; and if to the pantalet could be
added the shaker, and slant sun-bon-
net, and simple gown of forty years
ago, subdued feeling would be ex-
perienced by the females who wore
them. And if the male youth of to-
day could be clad in the simple charm
door, trousers and the jeans rounda-
bout his grandfather wore when boy,
he would be less frisky and fiippant
than he is in the graceless knicker-
bockers and blouses and giddy jackets
of the present.
The maiden of 10 years would then
converse with her mother as she did in
the reader of our grandmas, which was
after this fashion:
Little Jane: Good morning, moth
er. Is it not a beautiful day? How
merrily the little birds sing All ma
ture seems to rejoice. l have risen
early that I might rejoice Also"
Mother: That was right, my daugh-
ter. You should in youth form the
habit of rising early, for slothfulness is
sin. Always be diligent, my daugh-
ter. The unoccupied mind is the one
most susceptible to evil influences. It
is indeed a beautiful day, but have
you thought of who it was that made
all the beautiful things you see around
you?"
Indeed | have, dear mother, and I
have come forth to glorify Him. viii
you not repeat to me that beautiful
hymn beginning with
"'Vile worms are we, unfit to i've,
Our sins too great to tell;
If we but had our just deserts
We now would be in hell. Z"
with pleasure, my child; but on
second consideration would it not
please you to wait until we return to
the house when | snail sing it all for
you and you shall accompany me on
the melodeon and [ dare say your
kind father will consent to join us in
the chorus"
Thank you, dear mother, for sug-
costing what will give me so much
pleasure. l will cheerfully wait and
will endeayor to do my part we'll"
THAT is right, my dear daughter
Let your every effort be your best. 1t
gratifies me to see that your young
mind is susceptible to correct impress
sions and trust that they may be last
ing. Remember, my dear Jane, that
youth is life's seed time"
Il will endeavor to do so, dear
mother, and I desire to thank you for
your kind instructions. 1t gratifes me
to be obedient to your wishes. Shall
we not 60 in now and sing the beauti-
full hymn you spoke OFF"
Eyes, my child. am truly pleased
to see you so sensible of your duty.
Yes, we will now 90 in and blend our
voices in song. You may take my
hand, if you desire"
Thank you, dear mother, for what
is ever a sweet privilege to me! There
is my kind papa waiting to receive US.
Let US hasteni'