New-York tribune., 1900-04-05

HE rs FOUND IN VARIOUS FORMS IN
DIFFERENT HOUSEHOLDS
FREQUENTLY THE ODD ONE SURPRISES THE
FAMILY-LoUIsE GRAY MAYS ADVICE
TO PERPLEXEp MOTHERS

ut sometimes happens in we'll ordered house
holds where the children yield readily to discipline
that one member of the flock will be found who
possesses the most awkward tendencies. and is
said 10 be the Black Sheep of the family" says
Louise Gray May, in the current number of
FRAMED Motherhood This strange perverse
ness is probably due to hereditary influences, and
is what Darwin calls reversion 10 the savage
state. The Black Sheep is found in various forms
IN different families. He is the one who is not
musical in a household musicaIly inclined: or he is
plain, awkward little creature in a family of
beautiful and graceful children; he seems given
TO daydreaming and idieness while his brothers
and sisters active and industrious.
We all have ideals of excellence and
are ambitious that children should aspire to
this standard. If we have failed in reaching our
hearts desire either from lack of opportunities
because the fault was with ourselves. thrill
with delight the thought that our hopes NAV
still be realized through children.
The babe in the cradle is surrounded by halo
OF tender imagnings Of what he will be when he
has arrived at maturity. As he child grows, the
fond mother often at great sacrifice to herself,
secures the best masters, that he may be taught
those things which she desires him to know.
Many times the child fulfls his mothers expecta-
uons, but occasionally he is not in sympathy with
her ideas for his advancement, and either resents
openly or submits hstessly, with results which be-
token disaster her pet projects Seeing her child
with thoughts ana feelings different from her
own, she is filed with despair, and feels much the
same CONSERVATION does the hen who, having
hatched out ducks egg behOds her offspring
take TO water for the first time.
These disappontments would be less frequent
and severe If mothers would carefully study their
chdrens dispositions before making any definite
plans for their future. Children differ as greatly
from one another mentally they do physically
and We can more alter the peculiar complexion
OF the mind than we can change the contour of the
features mother can do much toward develop
ing in her child those qualities she admres.
but she cannot dominate mis- Individuality unless
she would make Of him u nonentfty
We have all been placed in the world for some
purpose, and part of the great plan of the
creation. 1t is a mothers duty to try 10 discover
what sphere of usefulness her child fitted
10 occupy, and help prepare him for this mission
The mother Of Gounod greatly desired that he
shoGid become soldier, but the lad, being
drtlstc temperament. bent upon d musical
career Had il not been for the mothers timely
yielding 10 ner sons determination the great opera
Faust might never have been written. Frequently
the odd one surprises the family by being the only
one 10 gain fame and distinction. This is because
ne possessed some latent talents which
understood ppreciated.
The Black Sheep is of reproach and
should not be used in the home Constantly
minded of his shortcomings. he looks with jealousy
upon his more favored brothers and sisters: he
feels that he is unlike the others. that cares
Tor him and all efforts TO reclaim him lost II
Is only when his WaywardneSs approaches vicious
ness that II ueed cause alarm