Democratic messenger., 1889-06-22
A MOTHERS MISTAKE.
The Serious Error of stufiing Young Heads.
Tho Doctor's severity.

The Serious Error of stuning Young Heads.
The Doctors Severity.
Our Elizabeth wasa young woman Of many
theories Ono upon which she acted was this:
A baby. from the time he really sccs things,
Is observing constantly; why SHOULD he not
actually learn things that will b Of use to
hint She felt that he had 80 much to learn
before he really could he said TO know any
thing that she must guide his observation 10
that no time would he lost. Before he was ,
years old no kncwa great many things; hc
had taiked distinctly and accurately from the
time no was IS months old. aud no asked
questions which would have appalled, phil
osopher At 20 months he knew literally ''his
letters" from the rcd and white blocks he had
been taught to study. He knew tho nancs
OF his fathers chcssmcn and could put the
rocks and some Of tho other pieces In their
proper places on tho hoard. He knew all the
pictures In large natural history; he had
favorites among them, and could turn at will
to tho "ichncumon." tho .cattcrpillar hunter
the ''honcy bec, worker, dronc."
About this time he looked up from his crib
as he was lying down for tho night and said
to the nursc girl: Lizzie, don't want to be
lost into mani" Poor little fellow, it
seemed almost as II he felt tho weight Of In
creasing cares.
He was Just - months oil when no was
taken suddenly and alnrmingly III. Tho doc
tor who camc at the hasty summons said:
"Your child Is very Ill; nothing but absolute
quiet and good care will bring him out all
right"
Elisabeth devoted herself night and day TO
her baby who lay In a stupor with half open
cyelids, and little hands convulsivcly claspcd
over tho thumbs. Sho would share her caro-
with no ono but tho father. After two wccks'
Of anxiety and Of suffering tho crisis was
passed, the pale boy was up and dressed and
on his mothers lap.
Snow, doctor" she said as hc came IN this
morning. ~ want TO let you SEQ what a
smart boy you have savcdr' Her eyes were
full Of tears which pride burned away rs she
brought out tho natural history, tho chess
men and the blocks
Tho doctor sat silent while shc went rapid
" through her exercise Of showing or the
baby, but after about thirty pages Of the
book no stopped her. Madame" no said
stcrnly, "it has been matter Of wonder
mcnt TO mo all along that child tho age Of
yours should have had 30 acute brain dis
order, but now sec tho cause; IL you lovo
your baby"-EliMbcth cast rcproachful eyes
upon him-'let him alone; put away these
things: instead Of helping his mental growth.
you have retarded IL; let him alone, say.
There Is one thing In the universe" he said,
rising AMI walking back and forth, that has
almost made an iniide Of inc. that an all
wise Creator should have given tho keeping
of children into the hands IL these womcn!'
Although he did not indorSc tho school
which prcscribcs counter irritants, tho scorn
in his tone, the blighting glance Of his bright
eyes affected Elizabeth rs one would, AMI did
her good Il drew out the soreness from her
heart and .ct her 20 vigorous thinking. She
saw her almost fatal mistake. The effect Of
this bitter experience led hcr To exercise
greater caution in regard To all that per-
taiucd TO her child She observed moro
closely; she found that tho wondrous princi-
plc Of selection, which the mind exercises, Is
best loft TO itself, and rs time passed she was
reassured by finding how much tho child
really knew ani had found out without
teacher.
She taught very little. although she fought
tho hardest battles of her life to keep from
doing NJ licr old belief would start up at
times with all the forcc OF great tcmpta-
tion. She really wanted 10 make one test;
sl,e believed that shc could teach the child
spelling almost without his knowingit When
taking little walks with him, she burned 10
spell tho names Of the objects hc was inter-
estcd In.
Ono day she began. "t-r-c-c." rs he stood
looking upat mountain ash tree. rich in red
berries.
"What, maInma!' asked the little boy.
"Oh, nothing; only how beautiful the trees
are now" Thusdid sho bring herself 20 time
Ono rich result Of her efforts at self control
was tho success she attained in different do
partmcnts Of her wosk; her health be-
came better, her nerves recovered tho tone
they had lost during the pcriod Of nursing
and rearing the baby.
ATS years Of agc-thcago Herbert Spencer
commcnds-ihc little boy went TO school, and
his mother never has had cause 20 regret her
stern repression Of hcrsclf.-Emma W. Bab-
cock In Good Housekeeping.