Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-07
HOUSE,
HOLD



or at least acknowledge the fact Not all
children. praise he, come under this con-
demuation, but enough to make the re-
preach fall upon all-the just well as
the unjust. Where lies the fault? In
recent symposium OF the Mothers Club OF
New York American manners in general
and those of children in particular came
up for discussion, during which it was
stated that American children are per
cent more brutal than foreign children.
This conclusion was the result Of inVesl-
cation through a test question presented
to q large number Of children OF different
natio1alities, but all under fourteen years
of age. The question wass What Woula
You do with child who on being presented
with a box of paints went into the parIoF
and painted the best chair?" The answers
OF the American children alone contained
such drastic suggestions as Thrash HIM
within an inch of his life Feed him on
bread and water" and the Ike. The re-
sponsibility for these answers said Mrs.
Anna Spencer Garlin, who was the speaker
Of the day, comes back to the parents.
Children are extremely responsive to sug-
gestion and could only repeat the kind or
discipline with which they were familiar
We are trying a social experiment, and our
uncertainties show themselves in the man
ners of children and undeveloped people. 1t
is the half-developed idea Of social equality
that causes people to jostle us on the street
cars while the street car conductor who
admOnshes us in no uncertain terms to
step lively This is democracy in the MAX
ing. The true aristOcrat Is simple in his
manners because he is sure of himself The
democrat Will be the same when he gets
there"
A clergyman a few weeks ago addressed
the Brooklyn board of trade on juvenile
depravity asserting that the lack OF de-
cency and modesty among boys on the
street was appalling, and called for some
very prompt work among boys between the
ages of ten and fifteen. These children
showed not only shocking lack OF respect
for themselves, but for others. committing
acts that would not be tolerated in other
countries, and these were lads of strictly
American parentage. Librarians tell the
same story. Children OF foreign birth ap-
preciate the advantages of having access
90 books, and are gentle and amenable TO
the rules In the reading rooms, While the
American born are restless, destructive ana
always on the lookout for something that
can be turned into sport or vulgarity Work
ers in the tenement districts aver that the
low-down Americans, that Is. the poor
white trash" are SO dirty. shiftless, lazy
and. withal seif-satisfied that it is almost
an impossbility to do anything for them
that leads to their betterment. These are
hard accusations; but il true, Is 1t not time
that each of us should take the matter TO
heart and see If our own skirts are clearY
To start at the foundation. are we honest,
sincere. unseIfsh, in honor preferring one
another? Are we baCkbiters, purveyors or
EtSSAp OF IiS pdllS pan OIuSl' even W III
nuendo, and the use OF vulgar. slang ex-
pressions? Do we fly all to pieces" at one
moment threatening the children with all
sorts of dire punishments, that we really do
not mean to infict, and the next condone
faults that require to be dealt with rtgor-
ausly? Do we allow our boys and girls to
roam the streets at night until or 10
o'clock unguarded and unquestioned as to
associates?
What are our own manners? Do We
save our good ones for company alone, or
keep them for everyday use? Do we say
please" and thank you to children and
servants as we'll as each other? Have we
smiles and kind words for those who live
within our gates as well as the stranger?
Do We make home so pleasant that chill
dren feel no call to go elsewhere for their
fun?
What of our speaking voice? Is IT on the
buzz-saw order high pitched, rasping. stri-
dent? Is it a roar, a querulous whine.
nasal twang? Children are initiative little
animals, and the reform OF children begins
with reform at home.
Simple Birthday Parties-There Is no rea-
son why birthday party should be made
an onerous, unwieldy affair, taxing the
strength of an already overwOrked mother
or the digestion of the youthful particf-
pants. Unsponed children take naturally
10 simple pleasures, and If we 'grOwn-ups
would follow suit might have many
good time as we go along without waiting
for q big splurge when get rich"
Hore IL true account of three birthdays
celebrated within the last month, each of
which was loads OF fun" according TO the
children's account: There are four little
laddies in the same family, three of whom
have birthdays within few days OF each
other. The first boy. the oldest, elected 10
invite three of his high school chums for
game of duplicate whist, a fOndDeSs for
which he inherits from his father. He
made the boards himself in his leisure
hours and purchased the cards with his
birthday money. The boys were invited
from 7 10 10 o'clock on the Friday night
terfere with study hours. A bright fire
burned on the library hearth. Fresh flow
ers were in all the vases. The room was
brightly lighted. and Il generous dish OF
near for ready reference. The younger
boys OF the family were allowed 10 look
on If they would be quiet At $50 the
game closed: then plenty OF homemade Ice
cream and cake were served to all. and
by 10 the boys were on their way to their
respective beds, having had lovely even
ing.
The next Friday boy number two had his
innings. He arranged his own program
OF charades and Conundrums, followed by
such old-fashioned games as Button. But
ton, Stage Coach and the Ike. Six in
innate friends beside the small brothers
shared in the festivities, which closed with
the same simple refreshments. The third
boy younger had his affair in the afternoon
from $50 TO 6, with four little comrades
hidden First came the unraveIing OF
spiders web. made of Irvine that wandered
upstairs and down, terminating In a closet,
where bags OF peanuts and homemade
candy closed the search. This was no end
OF fun. thosgh the tracing OF the webs did
not take near as long as its original spin
ming Then came more children's games
indoors, followed by q grand game of HI
Spy out of doors, for this was in genial
California. The refreshments in this case
were sponge cake and lemonade ad libitun,
and the children were as delighted with
them as though an elaborate collation. had
been served.
Cleopatra Ealad.-Despite its imposing
name. Cleopatra salads one that any fam
fly of moderate aspirations can indulge In
frequently and with .mpunity. Its compo-
nent parts are any leftover cooked veg
etables, lima beans, corn, peas bits of beet
belag especially eligible. Have all the in
gradients very cold cut in neat shapes. so
they do not look messy" and dish on let
tuce leaves. either tho crimped or brown
edged being most decorative, Over them
cut little ribbons of sweet red or green pep
pers and serve with a French dressing.
Lima Beans.-While fresh-grown vege
tables are still scarce and high. the good old
lima bean may be pressed into active serY-
ice. II. the first place, they may be treated
lust the same as the ordinary pea or kid
uey bean and baked 1t is however, wiser,