The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-10-11

Baltimore. Nd sept l' 4'''-
NV Dear Betty.-Jack, the youngest oil
my six children. started TO school To-Day
He requests. in his usual emphatic style.
with which YOU are familiar. that snail
write TO his god-mother before ! forget
il " and tell her all about the great oc-
casion. There were the usual com
bination Of fascinating circumstances.
a new First Reader and "a big slate
among them. We had bought him fine
leather strap with a capacity, II taxed 10
the extent OF its holes. for ten books.
our small man filed this in TO bursting
with "a companion" pencil box. etc.
Four small friends of his called al the
house on the auspiciOus morning, 70
escort us TO the school-on Argyle Avenue
near MOshor street. His teacher Is
quite q young woman with sweet face
and something quite tender and maternal
looking out of her eyes. ! felt that she
could be trusted with ones baby. She
wore black. and. / have since learned. l.
in the shadow Of a mighty grief. Her
mother-that hne-faced old lady wh0rn
YOU so admired one day al church. died
tso months ago. She booked pathetically
Young. and flushed beautifully when
said as / truly felt. that 1 knew might
consign my son TO her care with conii-
dence. Jack looked very hard at me rs
/ kissed him and left the room. and-but
never let him know III distinctly saw
tears and culver OF the lips. But my
love Boys mustn't cry helped matters
wonderfully and he promptly braced mp.
He looked very little and-if l am his
mother-very lovely with that wonder
and expectancy in the eyes. We mothers
do not find IL hard 20 perceive why it
was that great Teacher found the high
est beauty in childlikeress.
The first DAY / taught him his 'les-
son" IN the evening and We wrestled with
our unphonetic English together. He did
his first sum-addition. of cOurse-with his
slate on my lap. and kneelins on the
hassock M my side. 1 may say just here
that there was a new and distinct dignity
about our baby upon his return from
school As he did" hls sun ] wandered
Gas YOU will readily understand long
way ahead. You are mother. ana be-
side YOU love my JACK. so that is how ]
have come to write this rambling letter
to you.
We send him to the public school Ice
cause his father and n an so blessed 10
my husband are both. as YOU know,
vigorous Democrats. and think the con-
tact with the mas viii educate him
morally. s boy who is cheated ont Of
his proper number of furnishings IS not
uncommOnly "a snoh. Beside this. We
have five other children 10 be- finished
two at Bryn Mawr TWO az college, and
one at the Episcopal High School W.
thought Jacks primary and grimma:
training could be had at the public schools
wise courses Is that As We do not feel
able to send him 10 the Episcopal High
School we could supply the religious and
spiritual influence which We most desire
for him. He will if We can carry out
our plans for him. 20 TO the University
when he is ready for
We have kept him at home.
although we had "a special offer from
one Of the large private schools through
my husbands acquaintance with its prin-
cipal. for the reason that II did not supply
religious training Everything receives
more attention than that which is Of
most value TO M young student. We De-
sire above an else FOR our boy that he
shall grow In the Christian eraces and
Doe manly man. according TO the highcsS
standards.
After he was in bed Jack. the elder and
myself. had quite long talk about his
FIRST day" by the little man's bedside
Dear Betty, who can see these tender
little ones" set forth from the safe home
harbor for the first time. without solicit
tude that brings her 10 her knees before
the God OF travellers. that the tiny sailor
may come safe home again. Not /, GER
ianly. and not YOU
lack is a funny fellow. He declined 70
90 out to play this afternoon unless
took off his broad collar, delicately edged
with embroidery by thu fingers that hold
this pen. You remember. ] made il whea
YOU were visiting Us ana you thought 1t
so pretty. why. Jack said /; why
dop', Won like it," 20. I'm too big 70
wear them" came the reply from my
student. Thus had he grown since nine
o'clock. | gathered. as ! gathered him