St. Paul daily globe., 1890-12-28
MOTHERS, BE PATIENT.
They May Bother You. But Al
ways Give Your Children inteIIi-
gent Answers.

They May Bother You. But Al
ways Give Your Children inteIIi-
gent Answers.
A fault which has caused me much
thought in connection with children is
the Indifferent manner in which par
ents, and more particularly moth
erS, will answer the questions Of
these bright, busy little thinkers.
1t is true that the father, being
engaged in the various pursuits of
business life, finds diversion in think
ing out and answering these little in
ouiSitives: for without doubt some of
the questions they ask are reel brain
crackers, making one often scratch the
head in Wonderment that Snch ideas
should ever occur to the elves, anu keep
racking the brain for the most suita-
bic comprehensive reply. But,
says the poor mother, sif [ at
tempted to give intelligent answers to
one-half the wonderful things they ask
l would soon lose my wits, for only
q mother knows the thousand and one
odd fancies which seem to run riot in
their fertile mTndS."~ We know from
experience that this is very true; but.
all things considered, we are convinced
that if these poor, tired. discouraged
mothers will but recall some scene iii
which little fellow, being laughed at
for some assertion made to his com pam
ions, with eyes ablaze and hands
Clenched, indignant retortS. "'Tis
right; didn't my mother say so. and |
guess she knows" or two little girls
who Quarreied because the mother of
one had said good children went to
heaven, and had all the cream putfs
they could eat, while the other had
been assured that in heaven she would
have nice, sweet buns, with lots of cur
rants in them, they would be more care
full of their answers. A bewildered
father SAYS: when | am trying to
enjoy quiet smoke, and my little six
year-0ld has asked me questions that
would puzzle Yankee lawyer, Is it
surprising that [ should tell the young
monkey that thunder is caused by the
Good Man scolding the little boys who
ask too many questions?
After thinking for some time over
my answer, the little fellow turns to me
and says: We'll, papa, If the Good Man
would tell 'em, then they would know
1t is needless to say | feel Justly re-
buked for my Indifference" a lady who
told her little daughter that when it
rained they were washing the robes of
the angels, was, of course, much sur
prised when the little miss replied:
''Mamma, they can't have much fun in
heaven making mudpies, cause the
water amt wee bit dirty"
Another pernicious habit of parents.
and unfortunately this, too. is more
prevalent among mothers, is that of
making remarks not intended for the
ears of these little ones; true many
times the youngster seems to be other
wise engaged, but that ''little pitchers
have big ears mothers should not for
get, and should govern themselves ac-
cordingly. If such things must be said.
let it be when these bright and ofttimes
innocently treacherOus youngsters are
out of hearing. How did the mother
feel whose little girl, after admiring a
watch worn by young lady visiting
them, said: Mamma is this the watch
you said Harry bought with the money
winch should have gotten his mother a
new dress? I'd rather have the watch:
wouldn't you, Miss May?
Another hearing the cook told to save
some of the biscuits for the children,
grew very fdgety when her mother
kept urging the guests to help them
selves, assuring them there were plenty
more biscuits. and said, innocently,
"But, mamma. If there are, you said
they were for the children" Now, who
deserves to be reprimanded, the parent