The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-11-14
IlI-Mannered Children.
Nellie Burns. in American Agriculturist.

Nellie Burns. in American Agriculturist.
1t would be blessing, indeed, if many
a mother could see her children's behavior
through her neighbours eyes. 1t would no
doubt remove the scales of maternal blind
ness and result in good to her offspring.
There is no more disagreeable object in life
unless it is an ill-behaved man or woman,
and such conduct in mature years is gener-
ally the result of early trainipg) than
thoroughly ill-mannered child. How often
we see on the street, at entertainments,
while both visiting and receiving visitors,
children who by their obtrusive ways and
constant talk render everyone about them
uncomfortable That home discipline has
in measure degenerated in the last score
of years no one can doubt The quiet,
respectful child is almost thing of the
past. do not mean that children are to
be restricted from ever making noise. |
like the hilarious racket attending childish
sport when it is made in proper season.
But that season is certainly not when the
mother is entertaining company or when
child is Il guest in anothers home.
1t seems strange that any mother who
realizes her responsibility as mother does
not reason to herself in this wise relative
to her child's character "When my child
was born it knew absolutely nothing. 1t
had no realization of morals or manners.
Only as it is taught the difference, bad
ways and good ways, pleasant ways and
disagreeablc ways are alike to it. Conse-
quently it rests upon me as its mother, its
most constant companion, the one most
deeply interested in its welfare, to be ear
nest and vigilant in teaching it such ways
only as will produce pleasant and desirable
traits of character
once visited at the home of lady who
Was most intelligent, cultured person.
Among her several children was five-year
old boy whom | think | shall never forget.
There was scarcely an instants cessation
during the day from his noise and chatter
As for his actions. they were simply indie
scribable. At one time he climbed on the
piano and thumped the keys with his
shoes. The following is sample of his
mothers attempt at conversation with her
visitor .'Pm reading book called Dream
Life, and it is so beautiful. (TOmmie, do
let Mabel alone.l The language through
out the book is smoothe and poetic. Tom
ME. come out of that cabinet You have
read the book, you say? Well, isn't it
charming? (Tommie, stop drumming on
that piano.)'
Is it not deplorable that any mother will
give her ignorant, dependent little one such
wretched training? Does such mother
never look into the future and see what will
be the result of such discipline in early
life Does she not see the trouble ahead
for herself? Does she take pleasure in
thinking that she is raising sons and daugh-
tiers whose manners will be repulsivc in
good society? Viewing it in another
light, has any mother the right to give the
little irresponsible being whom she has
brought into the world such a start in life ?
Is it not a sacred, binding duty upon her
to teach her child good morals, good man
ners, and every other attribute conducive
to the making of a good, pleasant character ?