Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-07-10


A word may soften pains keenest smart,
A touch may lead us from sin apart,
How easily either is givenl
Dear M. B. Readers:
The above poem caught my eye as was
turning over the leaves of a paper, and 1t
expressed so plainly and directly tour sem
timents" that wanted you all to have 1t,
and have no doubt some of you will COM
NIT it to memory. 1t seems the Courtesy
is little publication which is the organ OF
a new society, inaugurated in England in
1892, for the promotion of spirit OF polite
ness among children of the rising genera
ton.
1t seems pity that in any civilized
country such a society should be, or seem
to be, necessity. 1t is an admission that
there is sad neglect in the training OF
children. The article abiding to and de-
scribing the objects of this society is clear
in its statement that ''the obstreperous
American youngster" needs such an
organization much more than the soft
voiced English child reared IN an atmos-
phere of respect for age and Difference to
superiors''.
The story is related of the experience of
Mrs. Alice Freeman Clark in a German
railway train, when tiny Karl, who had
committed some little rudeness, was re-
proved in shocked tone by his mother.
"My SOM, said she, "What shall do with
you? You behave just like an American
child''.
Now, fond mothers, don't think / have
the opinion that the children of the Amer
lean people are all thoughtless, rude and
| impolite, for there are many brave little
knights and gentle little ladies among
them, but when paper Of widespread
circulation and a high literary standard
makes statements like those quoted herein,
there must be some reason for the charge,
and if any of US take time to think fairly
on the question, we shall have to admit
that ON the whole, respect for the aged and
| thoughtfulness for their comfort; defer
ence for the opinion and advice of parents
and teachers, is not always shown.
| Think of rushing up to the staid, digni-
fed grandfather of forty or fifty years
ago with the shout: "Gramp, give me
cent for candy". The quiet, gentle grand
| in the west corner of her upper bureau
drawer in the shape of peppermint drops,
sweet apples or stick cinnamon, but what
grandchild would think of entering the
nursery and demanding "Gram" to give
him something good out of the drawer, or
worse yet, opening it and helping himself
without being told to do so.
Have the old notices been reversed?
Does the ''revised version" read: "Children
| should be seen and heard?" Should the
mothers smile when the children speak of
their father as the governor" or the "old
MANI" Has the "risng generation" been
brought to the front too prominently?
| am in bewildering tangle of theories
as to how this alleged lack of courtesy and
Difference to older people and those in
authority has come about. Perhaps some
OF the good sisters like Esther, SISTER
B." and IS. j. Y.", can explain matters.
1 The busy days for the farmers and their
wives, are here again-haying, berries,
garden stuff, dog days, company, washing,
/ ironing, cooking, churning. What a
| grievous burden OF work and care am
| loading you with! Look at the other side
health, an improved hay crop, that is,
better than last year; fresh berries. with
friends; new garden vegetables; good
1 home made butter; clean clothes dried in
the air that is fragrant with roses and
clover blossoms-wreathe around these
weekly returning duties the best that the
earth brings to you and the skies bestow
upon you.
We would not forget those who are bur-
dened with life's real cares and weak
nesses and sorrows. We send to "Flossie''
and those who care for her, our sympathy
that again she has been obliged to lay
aside her pen and the other interests
which make life enjoyable, and in these
warm days be confined to her bed. We
hope to hear another week that she is
better.
| 1t is quite likely that all of our good
helpers who were well were SO busy cele-
brating the Fourth that the M. B. column
was deserted forspatriotism. have been
! weighing the question which day at the
present time more fully inculcates love OF
| country and true patriotism Memorial
| Day or Independence Day?
| would like to send individual greeting
! to each Of You who have ever written to
our column, but il you are not each called
| by name, please each consider that you
are remem bered by AUNT MADGE.
Aviod all drying inhalants and use that which
cleanses and heals the membrane. Ely's Cream
Palm is such remedy, and cures catarrh easily
| and pleasantly. Cold In the head vanishes