The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-02-25
GIRLS VINO 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 on
the subject Of education. There is,
however, one thing in connection with
the question to which he begs to enter
a protest. although it is done with a
considerable degree of reluctance.
1t is possible, Of course, that this
evil, ana She word is used advisedly
may not owe it's origin to our system
of education. but to a change Of pub
lie sentiment, which has found de-
velopment outside of higher education.
Then. TOO, the fact must be recogniz-
ed that in all human affairs, it mat
ters not how good the general ten
dency 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 lodgment in
the mind Of almost every girl that
just as 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 it
involves leaving her home and being
of education or Of public sentiment
that instills a feeling of this kind into
the mind Of 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 a 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 just at the time when they will
derive so much pleasure from her
presence in the house. She has been
sorely missed during the four years she
has spent at college, but this separation
was cheerfully borne by her parents,
for they could look forward to the time
when she would finish her 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, out there is such thing as car
rying even good impulse too far, and
there is something radically wrong in
any system Of home or school train
ing that iraplantS the idea in the mind
of a girl that she should be de-
pendent on her father, even wnen 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 suffl-
cient excuse for her to leave her par
ents when her presence and help af-
fords them such unalloyed happiness.
It 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
1t is an inexpressible pleasure when
her daughter insists on assuming some
of her duties sand responsibilities, and
enables her to enjoy a Well-earned
rest.
A number of years ago it was the
writer's good fortune to be frequent
visitor at a home where the condition
above mentioned existed. The moth
e1''s health was not good and the Oldest
daughter had simply relieved her Of all
household cares. not even allowing the
younger children to trouble her with
any Of their troubles. This daughter
was accomplished, we'll educated,
very fine musician and could easily
have secured position to teach. This
she would have liked to do, but she
felt that her first duty was at home,
and the discharge Of this sacred duty
Will ever be the sweetest and 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 all that lay in her power to
make her mothers last years pass in
peace and happiness.
One Of the greatest and noblest men
Robert e. Lee-wlo has ever lived on
this earth, made duty the watchword
Of his whole life, and no sacrifice or
danger ever restrained him from do
ing what he conceived to 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 pangs of sorrow to the un-
selfish heart. which has forever ceas-
ed to beat.
If she can feel thus then she has a
peace and joy that will be her greatest
solace as long as life endures, for what
ever, for veal or woe, the future has
in store for her. this is something that
no earthly power can take away.
A girl when she first leaves col
lege and enters, as it were, upon the
threshold of her life stands in great
need Of her mothers counsel and pro-
lection, and it is misfortune when
stress of circumstances deprives her
of this safeguard. If there be one
thing on earth that comes as a gift
from Heaven it is the love Of moth
er for her child. No pen can portray
it; no plummet can sound its depths,
for it is as deep and wide as faith
omless sea, to which no measurement
can be given.
The writer trusts that he may be
pardoned for giving one more illus
tration of the sacrifice Of inclination
to duty, the facts OF which are just as