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

havior turned tho milk Of human kind
ness to acid against him wherever and
whenever he appeared.
And the odd thing to me is" said a
dignifed old English gentleman. whose
cap Bobby dauntlessly and playfully
snatched off one day in order to try 1t
on his own head. that the child's par
ents are such quiet, even well-bred peo-
ple.'
That was true enough. His mother was
an amiable lady whose own behavior was
irreproachable, and she adored her Bob
by. But I could not mako 1t quite clear
to the old Englishman that while Bobby's
mother would sacrifice much for the boy,
she would not and did not scruple to let
him win enemies for himself at every
stage Of his young career.
At home, no doubt, Bobby's misbehavfor
was. as is the case in many American
homes, misinterpreted as an evidence OF
doughty Independence of mind, interest
ing individuality and originality and quite
permissible animal spirits. Bobby shouted
'Iiello!" when he greeted the passengers
in the morning, and 1t was considered,
by Bobbys parents, a matter for admir-
ing laughter when he answered back. hit
hard verbally. talked saucily in grown
up air of equality with elder folk, and
broke athwart conversations with squeS-
tons or Irrelevant speeches. Alas, poor
Bobby Some day he will have occasion
to wish, with almost manly tears, that
he had been taught an indefinite some
thing In his childhood that goes to make
a popular man.
Charming Child.
OF course Bobby might have been q
charming child, and all for the sake Of a
little instruction, and furthermore the
/ truly charming child Is not an Impossible
order of small being cut on the pattern OF
Little Lord Fauntleroy. A charming child
Is one who is taught to recognize from its
| cradle days that it is bound to show con-
sideration for the rights and comforts OF
| others. Another important fact 1t learns
| to understand and respect Is that goOd
| speaking voice is like a strong letter OF
recommendation: it tells the stranger at
once that the little owner Is the pupil OF
| good breeding. Let healthy children shout
| at play and out of door at the full
! strength of their lungs, but the self-in-
| hicted injury of the high and peacock
voiced American child is incalculable. 1t Is
so easy to teach children to exercise per-
| feet control of their vocal organs, and a
sweet, modulated tone can be acquired SO
easily before the tenth year is reached.
After twenty it is SO difficult to procure.
The charming child is taught right in
| it's own playroom and back yard, all the
stepping stones that lead to the practise OF
the fine arts Of grown-up hospitailties.
child Is quick to realize, If properly in
structed, the courteous duties it owes as
host to visiting child, and the grace OF
sweet speeches. There Is not the least
difficulty in impressing on the 7-year-old
mind the importance Of saying EXCUSE
me-" or IT beg your pardon when q
playmate's discourse is interrupted, OF
when an indiscretion has been perpetrateC
or all unavoidable accident happens.
Again it is quite easy to make child Of
seven appreciate the excellence Of defer.
| ence in allowing their small guest, al
older person, to pass on first thru door
, way, down steps, or into a lift first; ant
it Is the rare, strange and unusual small
boy, who il rightly directed and Instructed
will not take an instructive masculine
pride in showing O gallant way with thu
petticoated half OF humanity, whether tn
wearers Of the founces are of his own ag
. or arc women.
mo, thank you, ladies FIRST" said
school boy Of not more than 10, the othe
day when he held open the postoffic
door for an elderl! and very grabbed look
ing Irish woman, whose ladyhood was ap
, parently of a dubious quality. 1t wa
charmingly done: o 1ryear-old masculin
tribute to the whole sex. He blushed Vi
to his merry blue eyes as tho cid wash
4 woman stared little. and then her sou
expression 81 oke into a smile Of the pures
!, pleasure. She swept into the postoffic
Y with almost ladylike air. and she Gale
= him "a little gentleman" And this wa