The Washington herald., 1909-07-04

there are ten Of you together, ten fun
loving boys and girls. you are apt to be-
come bit gay and noisy, and. without
| intending It in the least, might disturb
other people" The children understood
and were very amiable, but their little
I friend pouted tremendously. and I heard
her say as she went out OF the door:
/ 7 wouldn't have such particular
mother for anything. Why. she don't
trust you at all Now. my mother can
trust me anywhere"
I had nothing special 70 do. so I then
and there decided 70 go to the matinee
and see how that much-trusted girl and
her friends behaved IN their boxes. and I
went The curtain had been up at least
fifteen minutes before they came IN with
such a hustle and scurry that Il disturbed
the whole house Then there was a whis-
pered cOllOquy about the seats: You sit
there" mo, you sit there; I'll sit over
/ here" "BObbie. you sit by Katherine.
please and so on. The audience forgot
the play to watch the young performers
In the box When they were finally set
tied they began 10 rustic their pro-
grammes. then box OF candy was passed
around, and the first act was almost I'm
ished before those young people became
quiet The dropping OF the curtain was
the signal for more activity. They changed
seats again. they chewed more candy,
they talked too much and laughed too
loud. and altogether they were as bad
form as I ever knew a set Of youngsters
to be. Yet they felt that they were con-
ducting themselves with perfect pro-
priety. for young people rarely have n
proper sense Of proportion: but my little
cousins were quite satisfied when I gave
them as humorous an account OF the box
party as I could concoct.
Now, the mother Of these same enchant-
ing little girls trusts them as implicitly
as a mother could trust child as far as
they are to be trusted. but she would
hardly trust them 10 run an engine or
tame a wild bronco. for they have not
been trained 70 these things. nor would
she trust them 70 assume roles Of society
women at their tender years. although
their education IN social matters began
before they could talk
There IS too much talk OF the chaperon,
too little protection OF the girl In Amer
lea A chaperon is not an ogress placed
over her young charges 10 curtaiI their
liberty, nag at their faults, and make
herself generally disagreeable. She should
be, on the contrary, a wise and sympa-
thetic friend whose presence makes her
themselves because OF the authority be-
hind them. and more independent Her
position IS no sinecure. but only her In
fuence. not her authority, should be felt.
In fact. q clever chaperon never has 20
exercise authority. for those IN her care
soon see the reason for her gentle sway
and are swift 10 obey H.
We have come a long way from the
cruel murder OF the young woman in
New York. and some Of her sisters who
may read this paper viii shrug their
shoulders and say. What have we TO do
with such one?" But they arc their
brothers keepers" and It should be the
aim OF every man and every woman 10 so
live their lives that they may be a help
and inspiration 70 their fellows. Re-
serve, dignity, self-respect. and refine
ment should mark every American young
woman. and. having these. IL would be
impossible for her 10 20 very far wrong
or 20 debase herself by consOrtIng with
the lowest aliens that infest New York
i IS a cruel thing 10 say-only the bitter
truth excuses it-that a girls worst en-
emy IS fond, proud. and weak mother.