The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-03-15
A PLEA FOR FATHER.

A woman's club in Chicago was the
other day astonished and more or less
shocked by one of the members arising
and making a plea in behalf of father.
Heretofore the old gentleman has had
rather insignificant place in the do
nestle picture. Every American citi-
zen is familiar with the motto on the
wall, What is Home Without a
Mother?" But who in this broad land
ever saw a motto concentrating
father in colored worsted on perforat
ed cardboard? 1t is tacitly agreed, of
course, that father Is mighty handy
sort of person to have about the house,
upon occasions; for instance when there
are bills to be met, or when it is deem
ed advisable for some one to ascertain
If there is burglar down stairs. 1t
is father to whom attention is turned
when there is a summer trip In con-
temptation, when a new hat is wanted
or the wardrobe needs replenishing. 1t
is father who hustles for 1.-The needfuP'
and writes the checks more or less
cheerfully when acquisitions are made
upon him. But he has never cut much
Of figure on the sentimental side of
home life. He may be the king-pin
of the establishment. but he doesn't
get credit for it. Indeed, he doesn't
want the credit. He is willing that it
shall be bestowed elsewhere. General
ly speaking, pretty much all that faith
ar lie tn 10 loft a lime.
And there is where the Chicago wom-
ans club member made her mistake. 1t
was considerable in her to give thought
to father, but she made a woeful mis-
cue when she suggested that the wom-
en- members of the household should
read to him of evenings from the rich
treasures of English literature. Father
likes reading, of course, but hardly of
the kind that would be considered
treasures or gems of English literature.
He likes to select his own subjects and
authors. The market reports and the
condition of the crops interest him.
Then, when he has absorbed these he
wants to know something about the
form" of the ponies" and whether
Ii is likely that Jeffries will knock
Corbett's head off when they come to-
gether again as he has promised to do.
While informing himself with. respect
to these matters. he does not want to
he shrouded in a lounging jacket and
ensconsed In an easy chair in the par
lor, surrounded by the women of the
family in sympathetic attitudes. He
wants to be in his shirt sleeves with
his feet cooked up higher than his
head and a black pipe or cigar between
his teeth. Father, indeed, does not
want anybody to worry about his
methods of enjoyment. He has lived
long enough to know what he wants,
and how to take his comfort in his own
fashion. He likes to see his wife and
daughters well dressed and having a
good time in their way, and he wants
the privilege of having a good time in
his way.
Father never makes a great deal of
fuss about the house: no poems or hui
man interest stories are written about
him. He hustles and provides; and TO
those who are dependent on him, as far
as he can, he makes life worth living
Then, after the lapse of period of
time, he shuffies off and Is no more;
and when the sod has been laid upon
his breast, probably for the first time
there comes a full realization of how
important a factor in the home was
poor, dear father.