The Washington herald., 1909-08-15
TRAINING THE RICH CHILD
By THE SOCIAL ARBITER.

declare mat she does not know what
is the matter with the children OF the
day"
Now her own children have turned out
badly she must admit. yet from the time
they were children they had everything
that money could buy" no expense was
spared on their education, and she
scarcely let them out Of her sight. What
pity it is that madame or the women
who come after her cannot be made 10
realize that il Is just because children
nave everything that money can buy,
that no expense is spared on their educa-
tlon that they are scarcely let out of
their mothers sight that makes them
the impossible little creatures they are.
/ know girl in washington who has
one Of the saddest faces and one OF the
biggest fortunes In town. She IS feted
and courted and at least two young
sprlgs OF royalty have proposed for her
golden hand. The other day she took
little friend down in her motor 10 one
Of the leading jewelry stores 10 buy
bracelet, for which she had been saving
up for number Of years The bracelet
/ think, though that Is neither here nor
there, cost $50. and II is very becoming
to the little wrist that wore f. and on
her way home It's owner looked at her
new possession first on this side then on
that. she took # Off, she clasped Il on.
she seemed TO never tire Of playing with
IT, and when she sat down 20 lunch could
hardly cat for looking at the slender band
with its scanty setting OF small pearls
and diamonds. Her hostess had bracelets
that cost as many thousands as this
| bracelet cost dollars. yet she envied her
] MI
bauble
Il would give anything I possess in the
world If / could once only once. feel the
pleasure over anything that Grace does
over that bracelet Ever since I was
born / have had everything have want
ed. and more. Never once IN my life
can / remember expressing a wish that
was not Immediately gratided. and I am
so tired Of having things showered
upon me that stopped wishing for any
thing long ago, but just 70 feel as happy
las Grace does over little bracelet, what
wouldn't / giver'
This should be a sermon to all the
mothers who believe that IN indulging
their children in every wish their duty
as a parent is fulfilled A child Is like
a plant. TO water It assiduously. enrich
its roots, clip back its blossoms may
cause a tree to grow luxurianuy az first
but the wise and successful gardener
employs no such artificial means. He
leaves his plants for dear old mother
nature 70 deal with them as she will.
watching them tenderly 20 help when
the right moment comes. to keep the
stalk straight 10 clip the siclly branches
that the others may have a chance and
grow strong. handsome plant that has
lost none Of its natural characteristics.
In training n child Il is well 20 adopt
the methods Of the wise gardener. Be
cause YOU can lavish everything on your
sons and daughters. maintain them IN
sybaric luxury and crafty their every
wish before even Il ia spoken, there Is
no reason that you should do so.
Would the beauty Of the Venus de Milo
be increased by n covering OF gold? No,
"a thousand times no. one can almost
fancy the mouth OF that classic beauty
curling IN scorn at such profane sug-
gesuon: nor is the beauty Of a child en-
HANGED by meaningless fenery and gaw-
gaws. II IS a foolish and thoughtless
mother that makes a little daughter q
veritabie Queen of Sheba. but such
adornment does not only de,ract from a
child's beauty. II affects her mind and her
morals IL Is this eternal worship OF the
golden calf that reduces everything, or
almost everything. 70 a commercial
standard.
It takes some time 20 crush out chNd's
natural impulses. its sense OF justice.
equality, and proportion. but the relent-
less methods adopted by the plutocrats
Will eventually succeed IN doing away
with everything fine and noble II they are
consistently followed.
Mamma" asked little Miss Money
bags, who lives az my hotel. the other
day. OF the bediamoned creature that
stands IN that relation 70 her. may I
give Amelia Pierce my Egyptian neck
lace?"
Mamma was horifed. and showed It.
Give your necklace to Amelia Plercel
What an ideal Where IN the world could
a little typewriter wear such a magnl-
hccnt thing as that? It cost $500. and
beside. you said the other day that YOU
liked 1t better than anything you had.
Give it 20 Amelia, indeed Why my
child. what are you thinking OFF,
Amelia, by the way, Is a prettey child
Of sixteen, who does the tipping for the
hotel
Is why l wanted 20 give il 10 Amelia
She does not want to wear Il, but YOU
see. she could sell Il and that money
would exactly pay for her first year at
college. and, mamma, she does so want
10 go. Please let me-"
Let's hear no more OF this nonsense. ="
said mamma, looking at her child as
severely as her red and pudgy face would
allow. Amelia does not need a college
education. She does very well as she IS"
and so mamma ruthlessly crushed a fine
and noble instinct In her child. who.
when she is old. Will probably have be-
come as commercial az her mother.
Some mothers would have done diff
ferently from Mrs. Moneybags. They
would have paid Amelia's college fees to
crafty their child and allowed her 10
keep the much-prized Egyptian necklace.
but that course would not benefit the little
philanthropist. It was the sacrifice that
she was willing 20 make for her friend
that was beautiful. and such impulses
should be fostered in a child If those who
are responsible for the chud's future care
TO see ii develope a noble character.
When a young woman first realizes that
she is accountable for her children. that
It lies with her whether they become
great or small souls. whether they are
blessings or curses to humanity. II IS
no wonder she cries that she feels In
10 rear her children. but no
woman ever applied herself earnestly.
humbly, and prayerfully to the task Of
up her children who failed. With
the need comes the strength and wisdom
If these are sought In the right spirit. Il
Is the women who do not recognize their !
children's rights who fail. the women !
who make their children victims OF their !
whims and crOtchets, who seek to distort |
and compress their souls into the narrow