The Cairo bulletin., 1904-04-12
A PLEA FOR
THE CHILDREN
Concluded from Third Page.)


Sometimes at an hour when these
infants should be kissed and tucked
into he'd, they have been attired in
their best and sent to an entertain.
ment, Some of them so quite a dis.
lance with no escort stronger or
wiser than themselves risllng those
horrors of which we often read, Aside
from the physical danger, is the Gus.
tom safe one from moral stand
point? May they not educate each
other in ideas which will never be
entirely erradicated? Should they be
sent from home at night to be on a
nervous strain when their young
bodies and minds are weary and ma
ture cries for rest? Even when they
go with us TO take part in some in.
noccnt entertainment and are kept
out until late hours, is it quite right?
Is it fair to the little ones? Are we
not over2ealous to exhibit their beau.
ty and talent to the public? fear we
are Though the feeling be naturan
and that our maternal pride gets the
better of our maternal judgment and
our children, are the victims.
Often quite small children go out of
afternoons and evenings to struggle
with confectionaries and social whims
and to play games for prizes. l.
there not danger that these prize
games may develop grasping, sci.
fish disposition? Or worse yet, lay
the foundations for gambling in later
years? Accustomed to such games
from infancy to manhood, may it not
be harm for them to distinguish be,
tween gambling for money or playing
for something of moneyvalue? !
know not but | do say that all
mothers think about it. Many of the
clergy assert that to play games for
prizes is really gambling, We must
all decide this matter for ourselves
but in any case, sincerely fear to
see the little children indulge in the
practice for we know not to what end
i may lead
There is also another objection
While the one or two children who re.
ceive the prizes are momentarily hap.
Ply, none of the losers enjoy the re.
suit, Perhaps they may suffer with
secret disappointment or jealousy
Even the older people when defeated
may once In lifetime SO far forget
themselves. Would II not be we'll to
omit the prizes and secure the great
est good for the greatest number?
After these evenings Of pleasant
excitement, our little ones are some,
times too. nervous to sleep, unless
from exhaustion Next morning they
are listless, headaehy, weary and fire.
quently cannot taste food The poor
little dears, have taken upon them.
selves the miniature obligations Of
society and must suffer for it, Soon
er, or later these experiences must
bring injury to either the physical or
mental In this nervous state. those
large enough are sent to school, If a
school-day follow the dissipation.
Tho probability is, that they and
their teachers have a trying, unprofit.
able, unhappy and really pathetic
time
In ncighboring cities, and possibly
here. here is another feature of in
justice to the children aud a very
queer one 1t is. indeed. 1t Is freak
and masqucrades under the title Of
advanced idea" (That name sounds
we'll but is very misleadingJ Its mis-.
sion is to instruct comparative babes
in such subjects. as the origin Of hui
man life. and 1t uses thoughtless
mothers for the work
Sometimes mysterious physical pho
uomona attract the attention and GU
riosity of children. or they hear care.
less words from unthinkng, or igno-
rant people. Then follow questions.
Instead Of giving them Just erGugh
information for childish understand.
ing the misguided mothers make full
conhdants of the children They all
their young minds with private mat.
tiers unfit for them to entertain. The
result is. that proud of their new.
found wisdom, the little ones impart
II to other children, or as far as they
can, to the entire public. They spring
the subject on men and women,
friends or strangers. shocking every
one concerned, and crucifying all
sense of mOdesty. The unfortunate
children. are not only burdened with
matters that should be sacred to wo-
manhood, but are liable to criticism
from their elders. They reap no ben
Gifts from their premature and UNI
wholesome knowledge and their self
is a miserable disad
vantage. They cannot forget and
drop the subject if they would Now
should we not do everything possible
to prevent the destruction of their in.
nOcence? As there can be no i'm
on a pure mind. thinb
We should. first, last and always.
1t seems wicked to place them in
such embarrassing and unnatural po- I
sitions They should be carefully
guarded against such fraudulent lad Z
rapTad tIg,e TsH.y gh,,,fI aIr,, 10