Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1891-10-08
fLL-MANNERED CHILDREN.
n Mothers Views on the Proper Moldine
of Character.

IA -hother's Views on the Proper MoIdinp
of Character.
IL would be n blessing. indeed, il
many mother could see her children's
pehaFlor through her neighbours eyes.
II would no doubt remove the scales of
maternal blindness and result in good
10 her offspring. There is no more dis
agreeable object in life unless it is an
hI-oehaved man or woman, and such
colouct IN mature years is generally
the result of early training) than a
thoroughly ill-mannered child. How
oIten we see on the street, at entertain
ments, while both visiting and receiv-
ing visitors children who by their OBJ
truSlve ways and constant talk render
everyone about them uncomfortable
That home discipline has in a measure
degenerated in the last score of years
no one can doubt. The quiet
respectful child is almost a 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 enter
tanning company or when a child is
guest in another's home.
1t seems strange that any mother who
realizes her responsibility as a 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 disagreeable ways
are alike to it. Consequently it rests
upon me as its mother, its most con-
slant companion, the one most deeply
interested in its welfare, to be earnest
and vigilant in teaching it such ways
only as will produce pleasant and de-
sirable traits of character"
/ once visited at the home of a lady
who was most intelligent, cultured
person. Among her several children
was fve-year-old boy whom | think
/ shall never forget. There was
scarcely an instant's cessation during
the day from his noise and chatter. As
for his actions, they were simply indie
serbia bic. At one time he climbed on
the piano and thumped the keys with
his shoes. The following is a sample
of his mothers attempt at conversation
with her visitor: I'm reading a book
called Dream Life, and it is SO beauti-
full. (Tommie, do let Mabel alone }
The language throughout the book is
smoothe and poetic. (Tommie, 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 wretchcd training? Does such
mother never look into the future and
see what will be the result of such dis
cipline in early life? Does she not see
trouble ahead for herself ? Does she
take pleasure in thinking that she
is raising sons and daughters whose
manners will be repulsive in good So
ciety? 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 sacred, binding duty
upon her to teach her child good
morals, good manners, and every other
attribute conducive to the making of a
good, pleasant character? - Nellie
Burns, in American Agriculturist.