The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-13

more than a pleasing incident-it was
beautiful. and unmistakable evidence that
the boy was being taught at home the first
steps toward the insurance Of popularity
and charm of manner for his advantage
and advancement in his manhood years
Seen and Not Heard.
In the social kindergarten it Is mat
ter OF prime Importance that children rec
ognize that in the society Of adults they
should observe the good old axiom regard
ing their conduct. This axiom is dead
letter indeed for most Of our boys and
girls, and one unpleasant charge I have
to bring against the American child is
that he Is heard from too much and too
often. In the average American house.
hold the visitor sees and hears a great
deal of, and from the children. They take
prominent part in the conversation,
express emphatic opinions, interrupt, con-
tradict, and are laughed at and with for
their sallies Of wit or wisdom.
The consequence Of this very unnatural
familiarity between parents and children
is not always happy. 1t was a talkative.
sharp voiced keen-eyed maiden of nine
brief summers who boldly broke into my
conversation with her mother. When she
was reprOVed-nOt once, but three times
the long suffering mother announced that
little Lena would have to spend her morn
ing indoors if she violated the rules of
to see you make me-" asserted little Lena
serenely Whereat there was q family
laugh, and when breakfast was over little
Lena, with superfluous obligingness, gave
us the benefit other company on drive
Later on she spent full hour in my
room at nap time, and not until she fell
asleep in her chair at 10 o'clock could
, she be persuaded to go to bed.
I had visited the house as the guest
of the child's parents, but little Lena and
her two little brothers We're in my I'M
willing company the better portion Of my
stay. Il am afraid the children are a
| good deal in the way" was the excuse my
hostess made, but that was all, and not
| very soon again shall L feel inclined to
spend a few days in the society Of little
| Lena.
She like Bobby of fearsome steamship
memory, is a specimen of the common
! American child who grows up to say in
despair 'Why am I not likable2" and
She like Bobby, could SO easily have been
taught the whole theory and practice OF
childhood's charm. ......
The Irresistible Exception.
Now, the exceptional, the well-bred boy
or girl, is always and ever an irresistibly
fascinating little personality. And there
Is one I could mention-a pale, plain little
person-whom grown-ups and her play
mates alike delight to honor. Her charm
dwells in the fact that she IS SO unob
trusve. She has such pretty manner
Of greeting visitor, waiting to be spok'
en- to, giving her hand and smiling as
tho so pleased to see the newcomer. She
can scream with the shrillest in the play.
ground, but her indoor voice would charm
the birds off the bushes.
Talk to her, If you like, and she will an
swer as readily and intelligently as any
child know, but she can sit with perfec
composure at a table full Of grown peoplt
and never say word. In the nursery he
manners are as becoming as out of it. Sh
knows enough not to shout out, "Good-by
Mary" or Hello, jack from the top o
the stairs to an arriving or departing
, friend. She goes down to the door, saying
} II am sorry you must go, Mary" or "
, am very glad to see you, jack and he
face was a study in the expression of tn
l valiant self-control and good breeding o
a well trained hostess when Jack in pla,
, broke her beloved doll.
cit does not really matter" she said
: courageuusly civil even in her materna
3 woe. ''She can be mended and don
: want you to feel at all bad about it. Come
} let's play bears .....-......
It was beautiful was it not: And coul
r not even the dullest Of us, on viewing tn
t episode prophesy for that well-mannere
> little maid that her ways are sure to b
l ways Of pleasantness, and all her path wi
s ! be full Of peace2 Adelaide Gordon.