The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-10-02
Outgrowing
Childhood's FancieS.


The writer was vastly interested
last evening in the study OF two chill
dren on a street car. One was beau
fifui bIue-eyed, golden-haired girl
and the other a sturdy, fiaxen-haired
boy, whose physical strength and
good health were apparent in every
line of his body and in the quiet re-
serve with which he regarded the
other passengers and the fieeting pan
Drama OF city life outside. There was
nothing unusual in the types of the
children or their parents. Thousands
such my be found all over the land.
They were children of good American
men and women. and the forbears of
each could well be proud of them.
The boy was on the car when the
little girl got on. He was plainly and
inexpensively dressed IN clothing
made for service and comfort rather
than for appearance or conformity
To prevalent styles. He was accom-
panied by an elderly lady, perhaps
his grandmother. who also was stamp
ed by her clothing and appearance as
one who had Jared but i'll in the dis
tribution of the worlds goods But
love was in her heart for the boy and
for other children and their elders as
well.
The little girl was daintily clad, with
a pretty lace cap and bow of ribbon
copfining her hayward curls. Her
roran&s, ooulI ~ oo.;I,.
were wellto-do. The child probably
had e nurse at home. with dolls and
toys and picture. books and all the
things that go to make little ones hap
py. Probably she even had a big red
swing on a nice green lawn, and
many little girls and boys around her
home who also had these things. and
who, too, wore pretty little frocks
and always clean one.
Not so the boy. Like as not ne
played in the sand about his fathers
tiny home. and built houses and cities
out OF sticks and stones and waded
out in the bay, and fought with otaer
little fellows in the neighborhood, all
with never a thought of bath or
linen.
The little girl didn't know or care
anything about this, however, for she
had no more than spied the boy when
her face was lighted with a glad
smile, and she and the boy fiirted I'M
III the latter left the car, when she
waved him laughing farewell
There was no hint OF class distinction
here, nor was either child emba-rass-
ed by thought of caste. The little girl
enjoyed herself. with never a dream
OF dignity surrendered by association
with one beneath her station. Life
WAS fun OF JOY for both, with an ever
widening field of sweet experience
opening before them.
But let the years pass These two
meet again. There is a cold reserve
now, even though they may properly
and formally become acquainted.
Their lives lie in diverse paths. The
insidious poison of class-conscious-
ness has infected both. One feels
superior to the other, and a meeting
is embarrassing for each
They have been disinuSioned. The
world is no longer the beautiful place
II appeared in childhood. Life has be-
come care, and is Sedged about with
almost intolerable conventions. One
may no longer seek happiness in ones
own way The feelings of one's set"
and ones friends must be respected.
and the eternal fitness of things re-
garded not too lightly. And they go
on, as have We and the millions pre-
ceding US, living in cramped AID
slngularly unhappy. useless world,
now grown commonplace and dull.
And thus the intending procession
moves from the cradle 10 the grave.
We are but children of larger
growth" but do we not In OUTLYING
the illusions and fancies of our care
e-Ae ehldhood. lose much that Is good