The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-01-07
Little Pitchers Have Big Ears" and Par ents Should be Careful About Discussing Neighb0rs in Their Hearing--Object Lessons in Lying-The Incompetent
 Nurse-Burdens Upon Childish
 Minds-Copyiug Parents Faults.
BY MARGARET F. sANusTPR Copyright. 1906, hy Joseph D. Bowles


 Nothing stamps a home more surely as sweet and refined than entire confidence between parents and children. Still in eve Ty household matters come up which should not be discussed in tho presence of juniors. This is especially true. when. as sometimes happens the older ones are talking over questions that concern outsiders either neighbors friends If. unfortunately, something comes to light about family in the community. which that family would naturally prefer to keep to itself, 1t is to the last degree unkind as well as unwise to make any allusion to the subject in the hearing of children. The difference between children so far curiosity is concerned. Is very marked. An inquisitive child who is also secretiye, will finger about quietly ob- servant hanging eagerly on the conversation of father and mother, only half understand ing what she hears and perhaps without knowing the extent of the mischief she makes will repeat scraps that she has heard to the undoing of the parents. No one can he other than mortified if her friends are told things that sho has said at home which were never meant for the, public ear
 The little pitcher Is often little critic One of these children said to me: '1 cannot understand mother She saw Mrs -- coming down the street, and she said to Aunt Charlotte: There is that old cat am afraid she is coming here. She always chooses the most inconvenient time. and can't bea- her anyway 'I expected" went on the child, 'to see her treat Mrs very coldly. but she was just n" polite as she could be- She said: Dear Mrs how glad am to you and a great deal more, If tell stories. I am punished. But what can l think At mother?"
 What. indeed? If you are going to be social hyoocritc you would better keep your little pitchers in the nursery out of light and hearing Of your deceli. All the precept in the world will not make children truthful if they have object lesson> in lying set before their eyea.
 Not a great while ago. beautiful gold en-haired little boy, scarcely four. startled his mother by calmly uttertng an oath in the middle of his play. why, Harry" ex-. claimed the mother, in dismay. Where did you hear such a word? Do you not know that 1t is very. very wicked to use such words as that?"
 why" said the child. with honest eyes fixed on her face. Fit can't he so very wrong. Father and Uncle Fred often speak In that way"
 Children are creatures O. imtatlo0. The words they hear they repeat. Evil is not evolved from the Teoesses of their own hearts It comes upon them as part of the stain and soil of the world in which they live.
 great deal of harm is done to children when they are left iu the care of irrespon- slble and incompetent hirelings A mother careful of every breath her ChId draws, sometimes seeks for 1t nurse who Is for eign born. with the very laudable desire to accustom the childs and tongue to French. or German. or Italian so that 1t may acquire the other language side by side with it's native English. Unless the mother obtains for the child nurse who is pure minded and sufficiently well educated to