San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-07-25

MI many O4u eubJSSto
Isl which need repeat
IA ing for the benefit of
growing generations-just as the old,
old story of spring is repeated by the sun
to the earth, century after century, and
just as the waves are forever repeating
the story of ebb and flow to the shore.
Charming as the American girl is ac-
knowledged to be the wide world over,
she is not infrequently a most unduti-
full daughter. Idoubt if under any 9TH
er flag which floats to the breeze can
such examples of rudeness to parents be
found as under the starred and striped
emblem of American independence.
An only daughter Of wealthy parents
was indisposed and remained on her
couch until midafternoon. receiving one
or two friends meanwhile. She wore a
charming silk negligee and presented a
pleasing appearance of youth and sweet
ness as she sat propped up by white pill
lows, about which a devoted mother
fiuttered. But her charms diminished,
indeed quite vanished to my eyes,
when she called out suddenly and
sharply: Mamma. asked you half an
hour ago to bring me my slippers.
wish yon wouldn't keep me waiting so. I"
And the devoted mother apologized
humbly for her negligence and seemed
anxious to be forgiven.
If the slippers had been brought and
applied in the good, old fashioned man
ner, it would have been better for the
daughter than the apology.
i am happy to say that know of one
man who was wise enough to abruptly
discontinue his attentions to a young
lady-a most beautiful creature, too
whom he heard speak sharply and dis
respectfully to her mother on several
occasions.
The man was rich, attractive and
handsome. The girl was poor and anx-
ious to marry well. She was young and
beautiful, and relatives bestowed an ed
ucation and opportunities of travel upon
her. The man was fascinated by her
grace and charms. but he was sensibls
enough to realize that girl who was
an irritable and rude daughter would be
an irritable and rude wife. So the
courts are saved one divorce case and
the lawyers are cheated of their fees by
this mans timely good sense.
OF course the fact that woman is a
mother does not necessarily render her
lovable, and we cannot be blamed for
not loving the unloyable. Duty has
nothing to do with ones affections,
though the affections have great deal
to do with duty. Love cannot be CO.
creed. 1t is governed by spiritual, men
tai and physical laws, but not by blood
ties.
Not infrequently we see mothers who
mentally and physically antagonize
their daughters, but there is spiritual
law, as we'll as the law of good taste,
which should compel a daughter to be
respectful and polite to her mother,
even if she cannot give her love or adj
miration.
wish fond mammas would Try to
prevent instead of so frequently aiding
the present tendency Of young boys to
dependence and effeminacy.
There is nothing in the social atmos-
phere Just now to stimulate young men
to much manliness of character. Women
are aggressively independent and are
every day pushing themselves into
places and professions heretofore occu-
pied by men. There is little call for the
chivalric man of old, the provider and
the protector.
1t is not surprising that race of in
ert and unambitious youths should
spring up who look to wealthy mar
riage as a means of support
But at least mothers need not aid and
abet this tendency to be weak and de-
pendent by early training or lack Of
training.
However beautiful may be little
boys curls, they ought to so when the
first trousers come. Let the little man
realize that feminine locks belonged
with skirts, and that now he is attired
in masculine garments he must be man
" in every respect. He must carry the
purse and pay car fare when he goes
out with mamma, and he must ask the
conductor to stop the car, or give such
orders to the coachman as can be in
trusted to his young lips, all with the
idea of impressing upon his mind as
early as possible that he is man, and
therefore to be depended upon, and that
he must lead, and not be led, take the
care, not be taken care of. Demand ere.
ates supply, and little boy leaned up
ON in this way from childhood would, I
believe, in most cases take pride in be-
coming a bulwark of strength for those
dear to him as he grew older,
One cannot help the feeling that
American motherhood is a good deal of
a farce when such conditions exist as
We're revealed by the death of Aimee
Smith at the Hotel Victor without sus,