The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-10-09
IDiENESS.
BY LADY COOK (nee TENNESSEE CLAFIIS)

1t is somewhat singular that ldleness
and gentilitv should be popularity syn
onymous. The butcher, the baker,
the candlestick- maker, and other
tradesmen. as well as the upper ranks
of business men, generally look forward
to the day-the happy day as they fond
~ dream-when they shall have made
enough money to retire from work and
can enjoy their otium cum dignitate.
There is something natural about this
They are pensioned. They have
earned the right to repose. They have
fought the battle of life and come off
victorious IN a pecunlary sense. Nheth-
er they can cast aside their old habits
with ease aud find enjoyment in new
ones, IS for their own consideration
only. Anyhow, they are entitled to
make the experiment. And were the
matter to rest here, little or no mischief
| would ensue. Unfortunately, however,
the success of the parents USUALLY be-
gets Il particular ambition in the minds
OF tue tllliurell. Inc daughters deelfc
to be ladies, the sons to be gentle
men. This, of course, would be praise
worthy if connected with some useful
career. When, however, as is too often
the case, i means simply to live an idle
life, squatting laziIy upon the hard
earned fortunes of their fathers, it be-
comes a calamity for all concerned
But when it also leads them TO be
ashamed Of their origin, and of the hon
est methods by which their afFluence
has been secured, it is little short of de-
pravily-mean, dcspicable, repuiaivc.
Such false views of lie and of what is
becoming, must needs lead to disaster
Because to make NJ for want of birth or
breeding, they launch out into vulgar
extravaganza, endeayoring to dazzle
where they cannot convince. Yachts,
racers, and hounds, expensive estab
lishments, gambling and vuluptuous
living, are a few Of the means by which
the care .ullv gathered wealth OF success
full merchants or professional men is
dissipated by their heirs. Very few Of
these care to walk in the steps Of their
fathers, or 10 engage IN the occupations
which made them rlrn. And probably
the first lessons in wild expenditure on
the part of these prodigal sons were
/ learned at our universities, where, Tor a
long period, generations of vain or
wcak-miided youth have been hope
lessly corrupted.
1t * sad to reflect how often the meth
ODDS by which 4 successful man endcav-
or to advance the condition o. his chit
drtn become the means of their ruin
lie reflects, il may be, on his own scautv
education or other disadvantages in
early HE, and determines that his sons
shall fare better. They sha,l. 20 to some
great public school, or to oxford or
Cambria e. They shall learn all that
may be learned IN these homes OF the
Muses. They Shall mix with gentlemen
and noblemcn, make superior acqulint-
anccs, and catch their tone. And that
they may rot be prejudiced by his stat
Us, he supplies them most liberallv with
/ potNet-money, and encourages them to
shine III the display OF wealth. After a
/ long course, during which parental
hopes have been excited. they often re-
turn TO the old roof with only a thin
/ veneer OF scholastic requirements but
/ deeply eEgEained with all the vices
which. il IS well known, these senlin-
; n al y a =, +.a3..h