The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-26
ALICE cOZZENS.

tQrn en0OMt0 Win hhAHn1hhOh
and sense. "A girl who devotes her nrst
youth 10 wifehood and motherhood Is
much inclined TO be frivolous as she APP
proaches maturity
Mrs Cozzens seems 10 have possessed
stronger social instincts than prudence.
Her desire for amusement was greater
than her good sense. But there Is mix
ture of pity in our condemnation OF her
conduct She was rocking the cradle
when she should have been jumping tne
rome at school she was keeping watch
over a teething babe when she should
have been dancing with her mates: she
was worried over household cares when
she needed the recreations Of youth
The daughter. developing into charm
ing womanhood, found in her young
mother not a discreet counsellor anu
guide over the dangerous reefs ana rochs
of early youth, but companion whose
long starved desires for pleasure rem
dered her as dangerous as she was un-
wise.
The mother found social amusements
and admiration as novel and exciting as
the daughter. but there was sentiment
In the girls heart which did not exist III
the mothers. and It was, perhaps the
smothering and sitting Of this better ana
higher aspiration in an atmosphere whlch
she felt as unworthy Of her when leu her
to a rash end.
Mrs. Cozzens is not the only very young
mother who has been united to direct
daughter
| have seen a young girl rendered cyHi-
cal and bitter at sixteen by too Tree par
ticipation in her mothers long ueiaycu
auusements: and again | have seen
daughter kept in the background In short
dresses, deprived of pleasures and COM
panions suited TO her years, While tie
Young mother sOwed her late feminine
crop OF social wild oats
There is a vast amount Of sentimental
talk about mothers going on in the world
but really good mother Is one or the
rarest objects on earth. Most mothers
fail by not being the confidants or thelr
daughters, but in the case oil inns plu-
fully foolish mother the Tragedy was
greatly brought about by the neglect or
the husband and father to take any snare
in the life and doings Of his wife End
daughter
When a man IS shut out Of the conf
dence of a wife and child and knows
nothing of their daily lives. something Is
wrong somewhere and the family ma
chinery needs repair or destruction VIII
ensue The business man, whose partner
however reliable, seemed 10 be unwilling
ia share condolences with him would 50 on
grow suspicious that all was not right;
he would feel that he had failed in some
respect toward his associate or that the
partner was unworthy Of his trust. lie
would look into il. Yet a husband In ms
case and father. was smut out OF the
confidence of those occupying the nearest
and most sacred relations of life and al
lowed the conspiracy to develop into a
tragedy without making any mighty effort
81, 10 rtora with these TWO won IN
which belonged 10 him.
American men have a habit OF leaving
their families 10 amuse themselves ana
asking no questions as long as they are
not bothered about acting as escort or
host.
While children are small and the moth sr
busiIy occupied with domestic cares thlS
system OF conduct on the mans part re-
suits in nothing more than tones )me
heartache for the wife. But when sons
and daughters grow 20 an age where COM
partnership is a necessity and the fever OF
youth is upon them, disaster is liable 10
follow this don't bother me" attitude Of
the father Children who go to other
people's homes to be entertained in order
that a crotchety or self-contained father
shall not be disturbed abound in this
country.
Fathers who provide money LITERALLY
for their chDdren's needs and pleasures
are on every hand. but the man who con-
siders il n duty and pleasure TO study
his chs!drens natures and needs, and pro-
vide proper associates and amusemen.s
for them, is rarer than a white blackbird.
IL strikes n thinking mind with amaze
ment that a man bred in n city and
knowing fhe dangers which Turk In its
very air could ever go 10 sleep while any
ccncealmelt or mystery surrounded the
conduct of one OF MS children. That a
father could be even careless or neglect
ful 10 interest himself In the daily life
of daughter who Is allowed the freedom
OF American girls seems almost criminal
yet II is only the exceptional father who
does otherwise.
The absolute. blind faith Of the averag,
man In the good behavior OF his Offspring
would be SO sublime were II not 80 otter
misplaced. The stricken father Of THU
unfortunate girl Is but one Of hundred.
Of Thousands Of parents In this city TO-