The Washington herald., 1909-07-04

answer any question of a social na-
ture that may be submitted. Such
question should be addressed 70 The
Arbiter, care The Washington Herald.
The terrible tragedy that has filed the
papers and horrihed the public for the
past few weeks should carry a warning
home TO every American mother; to those
mothers. at least. who have perfect con-
Aaenee in their daughters and would
trust them anywhere" There is nothing
that so exasperates an experienced per
son OF the world as this nonsensicai state
ment. It would be an unhappy mother.
indeed, who had not perfect confidence"
In her daughter. but "to trust her any
where is another story.
One may have perfect confidence In the
prowess Of lap dog. but no sensible
person would send it out to fight hungry
lions with the expectation OF seeing even
its bones again. and no thinking person
with a knowledge OF the pitfalls the world
holds for the innocent and unwary would
trust an inexperienced and guileless girl
anywhere and everywhere no more than
would a shepherd throw a lamb into
den Of wolves
Mr.. Ferraro. the italian literateur. who
visited President Roosevelt at the White
House last winter, said that instead OF
finding America a commercial nation. as
has been written. he found It most sent-
mental. His conclusion was quite right,
and on no subject is the American nation
more sentimental than on the American
woman. II is not difficult 70 find the rea-
son for this sentimentalism. One has
only TO turn back the pages OF history
70 colonial times, when the women OF the
colonies were more important In the great
work OF shaping the country than the
men. With the courage characteristic Of
their sex they faced every difficulty that
confronted the pathhnders. and the story
OF nearly every housewife and every
young girl Of those early days Is the
story Of a heroine So the gTeat-great-
grandmothers OF the present generation,
through the needs Of their times, emanct-
pated their daughters from the shackles
that held the Oriental and the European
women IN bondage.
But we are no longer pathhnders. The
paths blazed by our forebears have been
converted into wonderful roads that make
a network from the Atlantic 70 the Pa
cinc, and the dangers OF the primeval
forests no longer threaten US. The wom-
en- Of to-day are not forced 20 defend
themselves against wild beasts and fren-
zied Indians while the men are on the
war path There are nc gardens to make
and keep, no fax 10 grow and spin and
weave, no wool 10 shear and card and
convert into stockings and clothes.
Modern civilization has taken these oc-
cupations from the descendants Of the
ia hrr# ha 1aF# . fr1
energy, the strength. the enthusiasm, and
the splendid Till which must have some
outlet and this outlet is found in various
lines. There IS no limit to the resources
Of rich women. It is an easy matter for
them 70 find occupation and distraction.
and their wealth enables them 10 master
any dlsagreeable situation in which they
may be thrown, but their less fortunately
placed sisters also crave occupation. dis
traction excitement. and they are apt %
take whatever offers
Work among the poor and degenerate
especially appeals 70 them, and young
girls still in their teens. IN the guise of
ministering angels, are allowed TO expose
themselves 20 dangers and temptations
that people Of experience would not dare
encounter.
A mother would not calmly see her
child topping on the edge Of a cliff with
cut making some attempt 10 rescue her,
yet she smilingiy looks on while she sets
of on mission that holds more perus.
with no defense. no protection against
those perils save her own purity and in
nOcence. ard these are not the days OF
miracles, when a mob would fall pros
trate at the appearance among them of a
young girl whom they endowed with an
gelic qualities. The average mother Of a
certain class not only permits her daugh-
ters 10 run unmentlonable risks. but she
glories In her devotion and fearlessness
and abets her IN her work II is an Amer
lean trait 10 worship independence. spirit. /
courage. and ambitious mothers stimulate
their daughters TO cultivate these quail
ties as well as their sons. and they should
do this: but independence. spirit. courage. .
do not always imply that those who pos
sess them have judgment and are wary.
and until experience and time equips a
girl with judgment and wariness she /
should be sheltered and protected in
everything she undertakes.
Pride is at the weIlspring OF all the
American mothers mistakes. Who has
not heard a hard-working woman say. 'T 4
have been such a grind all my life. want
Violet"-or Gwendolen. for the daughter
OF such a mother Is sure 20 have a fancy
name-"to have good time, and Tn
going to DO everything can to make
her" So she allows the daughter 70 have [
what she terms a good time
The family Is often scrimped in food |
and other necessities that the child may
wear fancy furbelOwg, and she is per-
mitted 10 go here, there. and everywhere 1
with all sorts and conditions Of men be- I
cause the mother. forsooth. has conf
denCe. in her daughter and would trust \
her anywhere" A girl should, Of course, !
be trusted. but what about trusting the I
bad men and women. the wolves in \
Sleeps clothing. with whom she is liable 4
10 come IN contact A girl who would /
be wise enough TO defend herself against 4
such would lack one Of the chief charms T.
Of gsrlhood-confdence There is nothing /
crates so as 10 hear some one say Of a
girl; "Oh. don't worry about her; she can
take care Of herself"
I once crossed the ocean with such a
girl She was very lovely. only twenty.
and travelling quite abne, but she could
take care Of herself" She had pro-
Slaimed II and the other passengers
rhoed II, and when the second officer OF (
le ship paid devoted attention 10 her no
be seemed 70 worry about the girl who
|buld take care OF herself" Finally the
eviction OF the second officer became so
5'arked that the passengers began TO gos-
n, but ! reproved them, wickedly affirm
tg that she could take care Of herself %
was however, so troubled about the
irl who could take care Of herself that I
|etermined to play deus ex machina. and
Il the first opportunity 1 endeavOred to
|atter her by saying that the men on I
'oard were Jealous Of her attentions to
be second officer, and If she continued 20