The Washington times., 1907-10-13

" relduNe 10 the unIOrLun-
ates who live in the slums
OF our larger cities and in the waste
places of our great big country. We
are told Of children who never have
seen the green grass. who know not
OF the song of the birds. whose days
are passed in the midst Of great tene-
ment blocks, where the pure air Of
heaven rarely comes. We read. too.
of people in the country who live their
dreary. weary. monotonous lives. rare
ly. II ever. seeing a neighbor or a
passing traveller.
Our hearts so out in compassion 70
those who live their lives in this way.
We know that not every CHILD Of the
city is so unfortunate as some of the
children mentioned; that not all people
vino live in the country districts are
grinding their lives away between the
milIstOnes Of The commonplace and the
monotonous We know that many chill
dren are sent by kindly disposed peo-
pie to the country every summer, and
tnat excursion rates to the circus as It
comes to the county seat ~ give and
bring little OF good cheer 90 those
who live far away from the haunts OF
men.
But while we are thinking of these
neglected lives. Il is well for US 20 re-
member that even in the higher stratas
of society. even among the fairly we'll
TODD in our American life, there is
great number of their own family who
Fan to appreciate the work they are
doing. conscious Of the fact that they
are leading neglected lives.
Neglected not in the sense that they
do not have enough to eat and drink
Neglected not as regards 70 their
clothing But neglected as regards the
consideration in which they are held
by the members of their own family
who fail to appreciate the work they
are doing.
Too often the mother in the family
leads a neglected life.
The average American family has. It
Is said. four children in It. In addition
TO these there is quite frequently be-
sides the husband an aged father or
mother OF the husband or wife.
maiden aunt OF uncertain years or
a brother or sister who needs for
few years the restraining hand. or the
helping hand Of the brother or sister
older than himself. so il comes 10
pass that. very frequently. the mother
IN the home has the care Of the house
hold Of six or seven on her hands
Have you ever thought Just what
that means2
10 you know anything OF the abso-
lte G-udgery that is entailed upon the
mother IN the home under such condi-
lions? Rarely is there a maid in the
house 10 nelp with the work. There
are beds to be made. rooms to sweep.
meals 20 get. dishes 10 wash. clothes
TO patch and darn, stockings 10 mend
ana a thousand and one little things
round about the house 10 do that only
tic mother can see and knows must be
Lnae.
when the husband comes home he
can read the paper out on the porch
while mother washes the dishes. Sis
.r- home from the store, can so out
calling while mother washes the
dishes. Children can play in the yard
or under the electric light while
mother washes the dishes. Baby can
30 by-by while mother washes the
dishes. And when the dishes are all
done and a moments rest is at hand.
veU IN invariably company comes.
children get hurt. or baby has "a fall.
and the drain on the nervous energy
continues.
An have chance to rest in the
home but the mother
and the strange part Of 1t all is,
very few realize just how much a
mother Is doing and how much they
are neglecting her life and her happi-
ness. until one day she breaks down
or she raises her hand for the last
time. and the well-earned rest is hers
forever.
Today. when YOU are planning your
outing. your picnic. your vacation,
your sisit home. remember the mother
who makes these things possible for
you Ease her burden. n.,, her work
light and let her know . II low
ing thoughtfulness tsat che is lo- un-
appreciated. that she is ut neglected
October l3. 1907