New-York tribune., 1904-09-12
PLEA FOR THE CHILDREN

sinca childhood have been taught thar the state
nnents OF The Tribuns 20 be safely relied upon
So, with surprise and regret learn tnat among
its large number OF intelligent readers there are
any who think children 'terrors~ because OF tne
decline OF Juvenile courtesy
am astonIshed. because this Is equivalent TO
acknowledging that among Is grown people tners
is less politeness than the adults OK sener
alton ago For that children initiate their elders no
ono who knows them well can deny. And rnAr ex-
ampls il more powerful than prscept Is another
truth equally undeniabls. So II the children whom
these pessinisto correspondents have tho misfort-
une 10 know answer with Yes. NO.. or -WnAtr
and neglect to say PLEASE and THANK YOU. It
must be because the grown-ups with whom these
little ones live are SO occupied with the strenuous
life that they neglect the small courtesies and
amenities that 20 far toward making life worth
living.
The children whom the great majority OF us
know say Yes. mother; "No. father; What.
auntie?; preface their requests with PLEASE and
acknowledge q kindness with '"Thank you. because
they have the good fortune 10 grow up IN the COM
pany OF courteous parents who seldom neglect to
speak politely TO each other and TO their children
Have you ever watched a tiny maid at play with
her doll?
that child's mother addresses her. For the little
Cn to her do that Ss' shs daily and
hears. The other day a little girl with q doll In
elderly ' man Sitting there watched her with much
Then he said "One has only 20 listen 10 that child
to know by what an atmosphere OF love she Is sur
'itS the doll exactly as her family talk to her"
For this reason It seems improbable that any
sae f5. OF psse OF What Z tn taught o uneon
scously; by the members OF the ehiid's own house
OF his teacher but his attacks OF courtesy
a GOOD example al home Just as man may have
mastered all the rules OF correct speaking, and yet
matical error that in childhood he heard from the
4 primary teacher few days ago told me that
she had much trouble with one OF her little boys
who would persist in calling his comrades "darned
II really cannot blame the boy much. though, |"
ngs lsss SITep tbat render epthet in his family.
MY knowledge OF children Is not theoretical. but
6sm and IN hs ast ew it has 6es my
pleasure and privilege to watch closely "winsoms
sunbeam in home darkened by deep shadows. q
comfort In a family circle where the grim messen-
ger has come swiftly and suddenly called away its
best loved members.
other children she occasionally asks question,
and sometimes she even 1S ventures to Join In the
opinion But. unlike some children she Is not
the inquiries of he childish mind. but Is answered
courtsously and kindly and IS thus taught 70 re-
good. because she eats with her family. not alons
Only the other day. with horrned expression and
widely opened eyes, she came In 10 say that Mr.,
Jones eats With hi; knife & and HaTy t5. Jones & saEs
ing to her. not so riuch because she had been ad-
monished 10 commit them. as because In her
So because Of love and gratitude for ''one Of
century children Little folks Of to-day may be
somewhat less prn but they are really as eourte.
to grove silently before The parent as the stern
w who % ruled ss tns % % Lam a1d n6 9 up
stick especially the latter: The Teacher who gave
as We would that thew should do unto you-said Of
the children Forbid them not. for OF such Is the
kingdom of heaven NJ. P. B.
Finderne. n. ].