Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-20
Defends the. Widowers

Dear Household: ! am a subscriber to The
Journal. and reader Of the Household page.
il enjoy all the letters, some OF which can
apply 20 myself, and thereby be materially
benefited. While / agree with most OF the
writers and sympathize with all OF those that
are in any trouble, l think that some are too
broad in their assertions. -"
Lucille gays in the issue Of August s.: II am
troubled in mind; my best girl friend Is coins
TO marry a widower with six children" The
idea Of a widower and six children worrying
her Again, she says: 'Dcesn't know what
she means" and again, .'she hates to see her
make a slave OF herself"
Now. Lucille, you may be perfectly conscien-
tious In what you say, and II - not my inten-
tion to take you 10 task, but there Is a great
deal TO consider I'm such important matter.
First. that poor widower, unfortunate he Is,
was left so from natural causes, directed may
be. by an allwise Providence. There are six
children under the sole care Of the father. IL
falls TO his lot to provide for the bodily neces
stiles OF life, which, Of course, takes him away
fron home the greater portion OF his time,
leaving them alone or with some hired servant.
Then this influence so many OF the
writers fathers and mothers TO guacd
against don't sa yit is everywhere alikel'
fluence and an unquestionable character can
not be hired at any price, as they are never
out for a job. Therefore, poor company II not
bad company, is forced In the home. 1t IL
not necessarily a sign OF making her a slave.
for I know about many stepmothers that
make slaves Of their stepchildren as the re-
verse.
think of it this way: Those six children neco
the love and influence OF good mother ~
much as any others. They have experienced
how II is to have and. TO lose a good friend,
and therefore. appreciate a kind and Low
ing friend even though 1t be stepmother.
1t is my humble opinion II true love reigns su-
preme between your best girl friend" and the
widower, and IL she will exert a little gooA
influence, seasoned with kind and gentle words.
she viii not only win the love and respect
OF the children. but compound that OF hei
husbands. Then II is that duty becomes a
pleasure.
Taking II in the broad sense, you say. ,
poor widower would have to battle through
the remainder Of life alone. except with Ills
little children dragged behind him, with the
teaching and influence Of perhaps a thick lppen
African blackguard as almost their only com
panion.
There is no higher calling for a woman than
has the opportunity of training dead
wcmans child she should take the greatest
pains in trying TO merit the confidence placed
In her by being chosen from many, and
placed at the helm to steer, as IL were, a
boat laden with Gods own precious, unpublished
Jewels.
lust a little further back in the same lette,
you. say, among your pleasant visitors. TIM
little brown-eyed motherless boy" You love
hin and also is the recipient Of his love- Why
not give your girl friend the chance 10
lore ard be loved by motherless children? ''Con.
sistency, thou art tewel!' Now, Lucille, let
] have special sympathy for motherless chill
drrn.
Think hear some one say: "Ill bet that is
a vidower." Come. all you good writers, again.
Rest wishes to all. J. G. L.
South Carolina.