Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-07-01
DRAINING or CHILDREN.


Influence of Home surroundings Upon
the Young What They should be
Taught.
1t is often a problem with parents
whether il is better TO save for the chill
dren or 20 spend for them, whether the
wiser way is to live very frugally and
plainly, Keeping watchful eye on
every expenditure in order that for
tune may accrue by the time the little
ones are grown; or, on the other hand,
whether judicious investment Of means
all the way on is not really the better
thing for the children.
To one case, says writer in Harper'S
Bazaar, lessons Of self denial and thrift
are certainly inStilled-the boys and
girls learn the value Of money; some.
times they learn TO look upon money as
the only good rather than as the means
10 an end.
10 the other case they are surrounded
by beautiful things during the period
when Impressions are most readily
taken, and when character Is moulded.
One thing may be set down as a6So-
lutte. There is not only folly but lack
Of integrity in deliberately living be-
yond ones means, and children who
are brought up 10 home where they
see little care for the payment of just
debts are In great danger Of becoming
themselves dishonest.
Granting, however, that the parents
have sufficient income to pay their
way without too much anxiety, it would
seem that the trUer economy Of life
would Do TO spend freely rather than
grudgingIy.
A beautiful environment helps TO
mold character. Children who grow up
I'm home which they are used to re-
fuement, absorb these qualities from
the atmosphere.
II the mother has sufficient help in
doing her work 20 enable her to give
much OF herself TO the children, the
children are the gamers.
Contact with pictures and books is in
Itself eleyating. 10 is a good thing to
live ia a house where books abound,
and the chances are that IN house
where books multiply there will be a
good deal of household reading.
Every fine engraving helps 20 form
the child's love Of art. Music and mu.
steal instruments assist in producing
that gentleness and sweetness which so
far to oil the machinery of living.
Upon the whole, they are wise who
discount the future aud SOW largely and
literally in the sunshiny present.
Equally among influences that mould
and refine, we may include the coming
20 a home OF welcome guests.
The sight OF little child running
eagerly to welcome a guest, with little
hands outstretched and eyes sparkling,
is always very pleasant.
We have seen homes in which the
children apparently consider IL their
duty to be kind and entertaining 10 the
visitors aud even the wee ones bring
out their playthingS and slug their little
songe In their desire TO amuSe and
please.
But hospitality costs money, and
where there is al unS,inted lavlShing
Of ones best on ones friends, there
must necessarily be. in some cases a de-
peted amount in the SUN that can be
saved
Many people, therefore, grow inhos-
Bitable and seldom give themselves aud
their children the pleasure OF seeing
friends az their table.
Children who are accustomed TO the
presence OF visitors, and who assist IN
their entertainment, always have
more pleasing manner and consequently
more graceful and tsctiul than those
who have not this advantage.
Among the best influences which can
be brought to bear upon children while
they are growing NJ we must count
that OF occasional travel.
Thus, the Exposition at Chicago was
a great opportunity 10 the people of this
land, and thousands were glad 10 avail
themselves of ii.
II the father is going away for bust
ness trip OF few days let him take his
l2-year-o,d boy and combine pleasure
trip for the youngster with the more
serious object Of his own journey. The
boy will be profited, and n influence
will come into his life which would not
have been there hal he stayed at home,
But other things and books minister
10 children. Nature in her various as
poets and moods, the love OF DUMB ami
mails, the care children less pleasantly
circumstauced, aud the exercise OF
taste for any sort of collectng-Stones,
stamps, flowers, or other specimens
are among the influences that mould
young lives.
Last, but by no means least, music as
part OF the daily food, instrumental or
vocal, music heard in concert, opera or
rehearsal, is refining influence, worth
i T. ~fr,Y- 20