Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-13

S,EM3NM;S pa ings, the theory of
-&aM@ M the angelic nature of
WMA 1S/sA very young children
<WG 4 SHap has been one of the
ANS most universal and
popular. Leaving out
the question of orig
tnal s;n," which, as
far as it may be understood by the un-
believer, consists solely in the sin of be-
Ing born at all, the guileless innocence and
immaculate purity of the human infant
has been one of the favorite themes of
poet, artist ard theologian, since time i'm
memorial. Only soured spnsters and crab
bed old bachelors have ever thought of
questioning this pleasing belief of doting
parents and driveling sentimentalists; but
in these latter days the light of science
has shed its rays into many dark corners
and compelled people to overhaul the rub
bish heaps that have collected there, and
among other outgrown and WORKOUT beliefs
and theories this one has had to go by the
board. The fact has to be met and &C.
cepted that the offspring of human par
ents is not a little angel, fresh from para
disc, but an undeveloped man or woman,
a conglomeration of the characteristics,
tendencies and idiosyncrasies, physical,
mental and psychcal, not only of it's i'm
mediate forbears, but of long lines of an
cestors. lines that lose themselves at last
in an obscurity for which most people have
reason to be. devoutly thankful!
Ignorant the newborn infant may be,
though the look of bald-headed wisdom
that rests upon the small wrinkled counte-
nance arouses doubt even on this point
and helpless. if you will, though the abil-
ity of one of these atoms to keep half
dozen adults or the stretch every minute
of the twenty-four hours. and a whole
neighborhood awake all night when open
H.
family. Such ability. 1 repeat, could hardly
be said 10 belong to state of helplessness.
Cherub Of Six Months.
Admitting, even, the innocence of ignor-
ance how long does it last? How long be-
fore the angelic visitor manifests capac-
ity for wrath that threatens to rend its
tiny body in twain? Observe that pink and
white, gold-crowned cherub of six months;
see it writhe and stiffen: see its blazing
eyes, its empurpied countenance. its doubled
fists-and all because of the thwarting Of
its efforts to get at the gold-rimmed glasses
of the old gentleman on the right, or the
gay flowers on the hat of the lady on the
left! See it claw red burrows on the face
of its hapless nurse or mother. tear at her
hair and her hat and her necktie, wiring her
nose almost off Its base, pound, stamp and
otherwise maltreat her-and then pirate of
the heavenly innocence of babies!
irresponsible, no doubt, for that was its
fathers grandfather's ungovernable
ungoverned temper which was rending
that infant form; but innocent in the sense
of a divinely immaculate nature that child
is not; and the sooner We lay aside the
angel theory and accept the painful but in
teresting truth the better for everybody.
Why should We bring angels into the
world? What right have we to expect it?
Shall the unpleasant jimson weed produce
watermelons or the prickly blackthorn
peaches? What manner of men and women
are we that We experience surprise and
the fact that the offspring Of our united
imperfections are neither physically nor
mentally what we would fain have had
them?
The amount Of it is that most children
are born spoiled, and only the most favor
able environments can counterfeit and over
come the evil tendencies and dangerous
" eaknesses with which the little crafts are
freighted and sent On their perilous life voy-
age.
Responsibilities of ParenthOod.
Truly, parenthood is a fearful RESPONSE
bility! If we only could be made to real
ize this more fully, surely it would have a
restraining influence on many who now.
through sheer ignorance and thoughtless-
ness, wear the insignia of paternity or
maternity so lightly. How few Of US are
fit to be the intimate companions and in
strEctors of these budding men and women!
How few of us are willing to conform to
the requirements. to govern our tongues.
our actions, our department, even, knowing
ourselves to be the models upon which
these little beings We have had the temer-
ity to usher into existence are unconscious
ly forming themselves!
1t seems so much easier and more anus
ing at the time to indulge their every
whim, to laugh at their puny RACES and
even to encourage and stimulate their
stantly enc sees little children given every
thing they ask or cry for, and not only not
checked in manifestations. of temper but
actually given sticks or other weapons. and
told to hit this one or that one who has
incurred their displeasure, the act being
applauded and rewarded by criminaliy
foolish circle of relatives. isn't he cute?"
cries mamma, in rapture. Later on when
her idolized Harry has killed a playmate
with a stone or knife in fit of temper or
Still, later shot or beaten the wife of his
bosom in an insane rage. she will perhaps
recall the fact that Harry always did have
a violent temper" but blame herself she
will not. for this sort of woman is incapa-
bic of reasoning. And what ! say of the
mother 1 say of the father with equal in
sistence. When for your amusement YOU
arm your infant son with cudgel and per-
NIT him to belabor yourself or another
when you put cigar or pipe to his lips. or
teach him to repeat slang words or songs
you are committing a crime, the conse-
quences of which may or may not fall upon
your own head, where they belong, but
which are sure to follow, to some ones
The Case in Point.
A few days ago a very tidy nurse carry
ing daintily dressed child year or two
old got into one of cur herdics. A lady
passenger who knew the child's family be-
gan talking to 1t. after the manner of wo-
men under such circumstances. Suddenly
the occupants Of the herdic were paralyzed
by hearing the infant grayely remark, TITS
damned hot!"
OF coul Sc, after the first shock there was
simultaneous Shrek of laughter, and, of
course, the homunculus continued parrot
like, to repeat his remarks on the weather,
ad tnf1nitum. I doubt If any of US, the
most refined. the most solicitous, the most
severe. could have refrained from a smile
had we been present. The words are not
wicked except in conventional sense (apd
1t was hot that day., but is it likely that
a child's starting out under such condi-
tons as may be supposed to environ this
one Will develop into desirable member
n y?