The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-10-18
Where are They L?

A lady who has recently visited j
one of the best families in certai
large city was surprised at the way j
which the children there were treated
They were bright and interestin
children, boy of thirteen and gil
of eleven, aud, naturally very dear L
their father and mothor. tn
former was professional man will
large interests the latter was an intel
ligent woman, not wholly given t
society, though fond of it. and goo'
judge of literature and art. A day o
two after the ladies arrival she oh
served that though the children wer
usually present ut meals they wer
conspiciously absent between them.
"Where are the children?' sh
asked of the mother.
II am sure don't know" answer
ed that individual, brightly. "arn'
they around somewhere ?"
"I haven't seen them since L have
been here except at meals" returned
her friend. "They were at breakfas
this morning, but it is now afte
eleven, and if they are in the house
they are keeping very STILL"
"Oh, I've no idea they are In tht
house." returned the mother laughing
"You would know it fast enough Il
they were, 1 assure you. They arr
probably off visiting among theil
mates. Mollie spends great deal o
time with Lettice Ault, Oh the mex
block. Perhaps she has gone to th'
park with her doll, it is 10 pleasant
She is safe aud will be back to lunch
eou never fear !'
But arn't you afraid they will &c
into mischief, wandering off In thi'
irresponsible way ?"
My dear ~ with some spirit, "dt
you imagine children brought W
among such associations as mine have
could stray away from what is right
I trust my children"
"Excuse me, but they are so very
young" murmured the friend, ant
the subject was dropped. -,
Another mother, this is one will
five children TO look after and living
miles away from the one who has beel
described, remarked when she wa
asked a series of questions similar II
those which have been quoted, I'm
80 thankful to have them out OF tn
way that don't trouble myselfto fint
out where they are 80 long as they ar
on hand three times day and II
time to 60 to bed at night" And thi
was not tenement house woman,
either. She kept two servants AM
was q member, as was also her nus
band, of a prominent church, livin;
in one of the best streets of smal
city and 10 every way highly con
nected.
Considerable inquiry has develope'
the fact that dangerously large Pre-
potion of well-to-do and respectapi
mothers share the feelings of the tw
who have been described. 80 long u
a child Of eight or ten or over vii
keep out of the way and not max
any bothern it is all right. This l
certainly laying a confidence il
chauce circumstances which woul'
hardly be entertained by an lido
regarding any other kind Of propert.
than children, if for the purposes q
comparison, they may be termed "pror
erty." SO valuable, 80 easy soiled, 81
i'm possible TO replace when ruined an
so difficult to repair! Ore shudder
to think of the risks which Ihes
women, thoughtless and lazy to til
verge of insanity, are daily taking.
A certain gentleman attracted tn
notice of a visitor in his family by tn
care which he took when going out t
tell his wife Just where he was goini
and how long he was expected t
stay.
she said laughingly, to the wife. I'D
you exact such accounts as these ever.
iNot at ALL" answered the wife
.sbut I confess that 1 like it. 1t is tn
result of habit which my husban
formed in his boyhood of always tel
ing his mother just where he was &c
ing, for what purpose and when h
should return"
Every boy and girl, without tn
least hampering their self-respect ca
be brought up so as to acquire thl
habit. If their resorts are innocent
they will not object to telling of then
If these resorts are not innocent pa
ents should know it. Make it
point to interest yourself in the
friends and to study them. A bo
who made an excellent appearant
was in the habit of visiting certai
family almost daily. They knew tht
his parents were wealthy and went
fashionable church, and though
that sufficient recommendation
Their son and he went freely back an
forth between their respective home
At ninteen he was found to be a mo-
revolving criminal. Their boy 80 far
out prison, but he is not good youn
man. Whether he will grow bette
as he grows older remains to be seel
Know just where your children ar'
what they are doing there and wh'
kind of companions are with thel
every hour of every day, SO far as 20
possibly can. 1t is the only way
which you can possibly discharg
Alright the sacred obligations of mothe
hood.-Congrationalist.