The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-03-02
ideas fnr dMnnnem.

NJ
It'll Is so often that pne hears d mother
complain of her growing boys reluctance
TO spend his evenings at homo. 1t is not
the young fellows of sixteen and seven
teen alone. but even little Master Thir~
t~een-Year-Old is only too anxious to
swallow his supper and get away.
In nine cases out of ten the mother
win tell you that the fault lies in the
dispositions of the youngsters themselves
that they are incapable of approaching
q good home. and hi the very fact of
being told to remain indoors one even
ing In the week makes them moody and
s~cross.s
But sometimes a little glimpse at the
interior of the "home.'' where a lively.
growing. restless bit of humanity called
a boy is expected to spend a bright even
ing brings a doubt into the mind-a doubt
as to whether the mothers disposition
Is not far more accountable than her
sons.
In one species of home everything
is aiken into consideration more than
the fact that a boy is, from mis- heels
to his hair. young, bubbling and brim-
ming over with youth and animal spirits.
He is not allowed to bring his young
friends in of an evening. because noise
would be the inevitable result, and noise
is apt to give his mother a headache.
And if the permission to ask a fellow
should be granted. he would not avail
himself of it. because the fellow would
have a chilly time.
Cards are not allowed because the
mother is sure that the mere handling
of a pack viii eventually lead her sons
to the gambling table. There is no de-
lusion that IS more widespread in homes
h a this false idea of cards. The amuse-
ment is certainly one of the most inno-
cent that can be found. But once com
mard the littel fellows never to handle a
pack and You invest the pastime with a
halo outright and surround it with a
odor Of romance which is irresistible.
In many cases. instead of a quiet game
at home for the fun of the thing. it will
be a game somewhere else for stakes
Another thing which makes the young
ster escape of evenings is that horrible
practice which goes by the common but
expressive title of "nagging." 1t takes
a saint to stand nagging, and growing
boys as a general thing are not candi-
dates for aureoles. If a boy can stand
this practice day in and day out without
trying to escape from home h is not
healthy A doctor should De called in to
his lungs.
A mother, IL she wishes to retain the
love of her boys and their reverence in
after life, must max herself indispen-
sable. She must convince the little men
that there Is no other spot In which they
can enjoy themselves so freely as at
home. and no other place to which they
can more freely invite their friends.
If there is one of the boys companions
who is naturally too rough and unedu-
Gated to form a desirable acquaintance.
1t is a mistake for the mother to rupture
the friendship too suddenly. A little of
her influence will do its work. and the
undesirable character will drop out of
the boys life as completely as if he had
never entered 1t.
Make the home a Jolly place" and
the young ones will cling to it. If you
have a piano provide a couple of books
of college songs and lively old-fashioned
melodies. Music helps to pass the time
cheeri,y, and even those who have less
idea of tune than a crow viii enjoy
themselves In the choruses. One thing
~will lead to another. Card tricks, sieight
of hand mysteries, charades. riddles.
games, anecdotes. The boys viii need
few Instructions how to enjoy themselyes.
if they feel free to do so. The sim
plest supper which the mother may pro-
vide will taste good if it be made to go
down with fun and laughter.
When the boys friends are asked to
visit him Of course there is the inevitable
invitation which he receives in turn. But
if a woman has possessed herself of that
priceless thing, the confidence of her
child. she will know where and with
whom he is passing his time. 1t is a
wise rule to set an hour for the little
mans return. and to exact promptitude.
When he returns there should be a smile
awaiting him.. And under these circum-
stances he will be only too delighted to
tell all that passed.
Napoleon's idea of the perfect woman
was she who raised good and healthy
sons to the State. The mother who sue
ceeds in making her boys interested in
their home who holds their confidence
during the developing age which counts
so much. has not only filed the great
mans IDEAL place. but has accomplished
much more. She has made a good son.
And a good son means a good brother,
friend and husband.
Should women propose? That is the
much-discussed question of the hour.
Why not?.
A proposal of marriage at any time n
under any circumstances requires moral
courage and infinite tact-undoubted1y at
tributes of ~womankind. Then, being so
equipped, why may she not enter the
leld.
Be sure, she would do 1T gracefully.
There would be downright VII you
marry me?'' enfailing. perhaps, the NOR
tihcation Of a refusal; but there would
be rather a subtle leading up to the all
important question which the dullest
could not mistake.
And be sure. too, that the time would
be hitting; no Woman would be SO tact
less as to propose when the adored one
had am attack of grippe. as stupid man
has been known to do. Nor would the
delicate subject be preached after the
loved one had been out with the boys.
A woman has as many moods as there
are lands on The shore-and the manner
Of -propounding the question would de-
pend on the mood of the hour. Were she
mischievous, 1t might be like that of the
Puritan maiden of oed-a mere laughing
suggestion. Why don't you speak for
yourself, John?" or in q naughty mood,