The morning call., 1891-10-02
JOHN, JANE n co.

JOHN, JANE " co.
Thoughts Suggested by the Question
.That Shall We Do with Our Boys"
Editor Uoman's column, Morning Call:
John and Jaue went to Social Science Con-
press and listened with delight TO the wit
and wisdom Of that body. When the ques-
lion. "What shall we do with our boys?" was
propounded they thought Of some little folks
Mt home. and were on the alert. Jane is a
weIl-eiucatad woman, lady, humble mind
cd. true to conviction, loyal to friends, and
Wiling to do her duty whatever it costs.
She married John because she respected and
loved him, and as long as she believes in his
affection for her she would prefer life with
him in Alaska or Ashantee to any life with
ont him John respects Jane; he thinks that
he loves her; he knows her sincerity. but is
SO sure Of her that he feels under no obliga-
tions to consider her especially. She had
good taste to love him that same good taste
will hold her let him do what he will. He
would risk life in fire or flood to save hers,
but he never foTgets he is man, inheritor
of the earth: that she is woman. the be-
loved "adjuuct" of man. Neither is con-
sciOus of these sentiments. custom has so
ingrained them that they are accepted as
NEW LIGHT
On the woman question. Quoting the poet,
Men are but children Of a larger growth,
he argued that the coTrelatiye must be true,
"Children that IS boys) are bat men OF
smaller growth" that no man who Is man
will be dictated to by woman, yet Tor
many years boys are left In charge OF
mothers and women teachers; that these
women are usually well mentioned "a bow
to the ladies' but unTeasOuing, Ill gIcdl and
weak in judgment; that they have insisted
that boys should curb their natural propen-
sites, should be conSiderate and unselish
rs girls are taught; that the noble mascu-
line cannot bear such telterS; that the SUI
peTiOT creature is wraried OF being prayet
and wept over. Of being preached tn and
restrained, and that thc general ferment all
comes from TepresSIug nature, for men are
not like omen, who are at their best when
most thoroughly sacrificed. The peroratlon
was: My brethren. if YOU would save your
Boys save them from the unwisdom OF
w0men's cOnUol.fOr God never meant that
man should be subordinate to the weaker
vessel
1t works no better in the home than in
our national councils; the nation is but our
homes aggregated; what IS true OF the sum
must be true OF the units. In the mass, IN
OUR NATIONAL HOUSEKEEPING.
We have wisely rejected women's influence,
but in our homes We have meekly allowed
them to usurp the masters place with our
boys.
My brethren, be firm; allow no woman to
control man, no matter what his size; 50 Will
You relieve your angelic mate, and our na-
tonal eagle will outsoar every other EN-
bematic bird"
The idea was original, worth thought.
and they decided Jane with great gulpS OF
pride) that thereafter the boys should 60 to
a man teacher (kindergarteu), and John
= a.
should act as his ylcegerent and have
full control Of Janet Already John Jr
had remarked, Mems know more than
wOmens," and his little sister had declared
Il do not want doll babies, but hand
organ and a monkey, so the boys will play
with me-" THIS matrimonial unit had
never quite agreed IN government, but had
respected each others authority. John
thought best TO give children free range {;
they would learn all about evllln time; bet
ter learn the lesson While sheltered IN good
home. When Jane demonstrated that her
boys should not see and hear denominations,
and mournrd over saloons, cigarettes and
general yieness,
As MOTHERS WILL,
John declared that he wanted no milk,
sOps for boys; that the licensing of evil is
ne eS5aE for revenue and the needs Of so
Clety; that the sooner children know evil
the sooner they will learn to discriminate :;
self. Jane sighed and spent herself on little
Janet. whom his theories did not include.
John reasoned with his boys. talked like
philosopher, commanded, then lit his
cigar and departed, his duty done. Jane
advised, made home attractive and wept IN
the dead 0. the night because her boy was
Slipping from her and size had 10 power TO
hold Aim Vice, ignorance and intemper-
auCa assaileQ her boy. all easily removed,
but there was DO purpose TO do so III those
who had the pONer she began to see that
in the important things of life women are
powerless; that national housekeeping is
about what the home would be had women
only permit 10 pray over dIrt aud entreat to
have Il removed Johnny and Janet grow
away from each other; he patrOuiZes her
Wien he wants layUTS, but l0ttlly ignores
returns; though lie dares not insult (his
father never does that, his manner eX-
presses such indifference and contempt OF
mother and sister az TO make his presence
AL anxiety, not pleasure. Jane begins to
doubt the earned D. d. and returns to the
belief that boy IS
A RESPONSIBLE HUMAN BEING,
Capable Of good, and should be ned to
high standard; mat he has Will enough 10
do what be wishes and that the mothers
want OF power Is the reason that he cares so
little Tor her standards, fer love is less
potent than authority in securing obedience.
Love without power IS desplsed; love with
power, stronger than adamRut. At last
John began to doubt the method. He be-
gan TO see that even his boy might he IN
danger; that there should ba a curb on
general seit,hne5s, and his heart was so
wrung with fatheFly anxiety that he called
Jane to a family council. Long did they
di-cuss their mutual anxiety. At last Jane
said: John, now really, can do nothing
without power l would dle for the boy,
but love alone will not hold him. You are
the best man in the world, but even you
helps ! ain the woman, and must Insist on
equality in all things" And John said :
You are al angel. Ii you had not been my
seldshuess ana conceit would have made you
despise ne. Hereafter we will not pull
indeueudelt oars. You haV5 as much in
terest in things as l have, and we are a
frm-John, Jane 81 Coffee TO save our
boy after GU! own fashion. Never mind the
DID. The world needs Aunt Columbia as
much as Uncle sam" SIS.
(ILr0g CfufsUtBfr 1891