The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1904-02-24
GIRLS WHO LEAVE HOME.
Written for The state by w. ID.
Woods.

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The readers of The State. or rather
that portion Of them who have paid
the writer the compliment Of reading
his articles. which have appeared from
time to time in its columns need
hardly be reminded OF his position cn
the subject Of education. There is.
however. one thing in connection with
the question to which he begS to enter
IL protest. although it is done with
considerable degree OF reluctance.
It is possible. IF course, that TINS
evil and the word is used advisedly,
may not owe its origin to our system
Of education. but to 4 change of pub
lie sentiment. which has found de-
velOpment outside of higher education.
Then, too. the fact must be recoGnlZ-
cd that III all human affairs. ii mat
tcrs not how good the general TEN
dcncy is. there must be some evil; but
while giving full acknowledgment to
this truth. every effort should be made
to keep the evil incident thereto to
the lowest possible point.
The evil TO which alluSiOn is made is
the craze that has found lodEment II
the mind of almost every girl that
just rs soon as she leaves the college
or high school she must find some
kind of employment, despite the fact
that in the large majority Of cases II
involves leaving her home and being
thrown with strangers. Any system
of education or of public sentiment
that instills feeling OF this kind into
the mind of a girl, that she must be in
dependent and make her own way In
the world is radically and ineXcusably
wrong.
There are, of course. many cases
where this seeking for employment is
painfully necessary. and where this is
the case Il girl should be encouraged
and rendered every aSsiStance: but
where this condition does not exist.
she IS both unjust to herself and her
parents when she voluntarily leaves
them jus; at the time when they will
derive 50 much pleasure from her
presence in the house. She has been
SOrcly missed during the four years she
hHs spent ut college. but this separation
was chcrrfully borne by her parents,
for they could look forward to the time
when Sh" would finish hCr education
and once more be with them to bright
en their home. Independence and the
desire to make ones own way in the
world. is both natural and commend
able but there il such Il thing as car
rying even Il good impulse too far, and
IutIe ID SulllctIiiIlS " lpIit, III
any system of hOlnc or school train
ing that implants the idea in the mind
of girl that she should not be de-
pendent on her father, even when he
is abundantly able TO provide for her
wants.
Even if it be granted that she can
have more social enjoyment in the
town or city than in the country home
of her parents. this furnishes no sutti-
cient excuse for her to leave her par
cntS when her presence and help af-
fords them such unaloyed happiness.
1t often happens that the mother, get
ting on in years, is worn out with toll
and care. She has given all her
strength and time to the raising and
training of her children, and to her
It is an ineXpresSible pleasure when
her daughter insists on assuming some
OF her duties and responsibilities, and
bleS her to enjoy well-earned
rest.
A number of years ago it was the
writer's good fortune 30 be Il frequent
visitor at home where the condition
above mentioned existed. The moth
crs health was not good and the oldest
daughter had simply relieved her OF all
household cares. pot even allowing the
younger children to trouble her with
any of their troubles. This daughter
was accomplished. well educated. n
very fine musician and could easily
have secured Il position to teach. This
she would have liked to do. but she
felt that her first duty was 1T home.
and the discharge of this sacred duty
will ever be the sweetest ana tender
est recollection of her life. for when
she was called on to see that mother
pass away she WAS sustained and
sOOthed by the consciousness that she
had done I'LL that lay in her power TO
make her mothers last years pass III
peace and happiness.
One of the greatest and nOblcSt men
Robert f.. Lec-who has ever lived on
this earth. made duty the watchword
Of his whole life, and 10 sacrifice or
danger ever restrained him from do
ing what he conceived 10 be right. The
path of duty often calls US TO walk
in ways that humanity speaking are
the very reverse of the ones we would
choose. but then there should ever be
present the thought that after all the
strongest happiness comes from the
consciousness OF having done our ut
most To promote the happiness Of those
who are dear to US. Fortunate, in
deed, is the daughter who. when she
| looks for the last time on the face Of
her mother. with her tired hands fold
ed across; her bosom, can feel that she
never brought tears to the now closed
eyes or bangs Of sorrow To the un-
selfish heart. which has forever ccaa-
! ed to b"a'
| If she 9 / feel thus then she has Il
peg n" aud joy that will be her greatest
80 as long as life cndurcS. for what
! ever for veal or woe. the future has
! in Siur. for her. this is something that
no earthly power can take away.
! \ girl when she first leaves col
! lcEr and enters. as IL were, upon the
! threshold OF her life. stands III great
! need of her mothers counsel ana pro-
| lection. and it is Il misfortune when
stress of circumstances h"priVeS her
of this Safeguard. II there be- one
| thing on earth that comes rs gift
| from Heaven il is I'll" love Of Il moth
cr for her child. 40 pen can portray
! il: 40 lIlummcl can sound its depths.
, for it is rs deep and wide as faith
UmlcsS sea. t" which no measurement
! can be given.
The writer trusts that he may be
pardun"d for giving one NOR" Illus
I Iraiiun Of the Sacriiic" ni inclination
To duty. the facts of which ar" Just rs
related
y good many years ago ,h"r' ~
listed an engagement hr'Wrrl two
%.ouJ2s people. bat ;u"r' waS. IN th'
estimation uf tire young lady 1I least
IAN iu>"ir,rahir barrier in the way ~
its Tumr,!i;tt" com:;ummailon. that "H-