The advocate and Topeka tribune., 1893-11-08

the balance would be in their favor, be-
cause the latter, being pampered, become
sffeminate; their talents are mot discovered
and stimulated by an able educator, but
rather spoiled and misdireCted by the ego
tism of parents who love but themselves in
their children. A silly, even a cruel wish
rose then for moment in my heart, which
I will confess, although feel the danger OF
being misunderstood in doing 80. ! wished
at that moment that death would remove al
poverty-striCken parents in the land, in or
der that their children might enjoy happy
youth, free from care, worthy Of the human
name, and enter upon active life we'll de-
veloped and educated, with q prospect Of
success.
"What are the conditions necessary fol
the admission of a child into your institu.
tion?" l asked the superintendent. The
answer was, that only children are admit.
ted both of whose parents are dead, and
who have no relatives of means who could
take care or bnem.
Let US now take two children out of sim.
liar circles and observe the contrast. The
one has lost both his parents; and, there
fore, is admitted into the asylum. From
that moment he comes under the eye Of q
highly cultured educator; he receives cloth
ing, food and proper direction. Light and
ventilation are carefully provided. He ID
trained to sOrupulous cleanliness. Even
while playing, he is watched and his Oharac,
ter noted. Good influences surround him
from all sides, while evil is kept from him
even inherited faults are quickly disCoV.
cred and systematically uprooted. In case
Of sickness, the best care is taken Of him,
A physician is called in time and his ad.
vice carefully followed. When the time
arrives in which the child must choose an
occupation for his future life, the advice
Of the educator who has discovered his tai
ents long before and has caused them &c
be developed, is his for the asking.
The other child, to whom a good (P)
fortune has left both his parents, is brought
up in narrow quarters that lack light and
air. He is surrounded by misery and deS.
titution and the squalor and unoleanlinesl
which necessarily accompany them. Hii
food is unwholesome and insufficient. II
his shoes are torn, his parents will com.
PLAIN that at present they have no money
to buy him new ones, or even to have them
mended. He is left to himself. His father
is at work all day, and in the evening ID
too tired to devote an hour to the training
Of his children; in most cases he does moi
even understand more Of his parental duties
than that he has the right TO thrash his
child. The mother is overburdened with
household cares, and thus the child is left
to all the evil influences which surround
the miserable neighborhood as with dark
cloud. His sentiments are suppressed, his
talents remain unnotiCed. The public
schools can do but part of the educational
work, although, indeed, it is great boon to
the children Of the poor that at least during
five hours day they are brought within the
reach of better influences, and during that
time they may enjoy light and air. In case
of sickness, qusck medicines are tried be-
fore the dispenssry doctor is called, and his
advice remains unheeded, because light, aiE
and wholesome food are medicines which
cannot be procured at the drug store. Choice
Of occupation is entirely out Of the ques-
tion. After the child has reached his four
teenth year, he is obliged to take the first
place which offers itself, in order TO earn
a few cents. A city which supports an or
phan asylum of about 400 pupils contains,