Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-13

n NE would suppose that the most
natural thing in this world would
~ be for mother to understand her
own daughter.
On the contrary, this is seldom, IL
ever, realized. The young girl, budding
into womanhood under the shadow of
the mothers wing has her eyes fastened
upon hill-country very far away, and
her heart beats to a music the older
woman, as a rule, fails utterly to un-
derstand.
The mistake is to look upon this as
unnatural. 1t is, in fact, the only pos
sible happening where the younger life
is strong and independent, and eager
for the realization of it's inner hopes.
At this time of struggle for the child,
when she is experiencing for the first
time the sweet sense of her awakening
life, she must drink the cup of JOY
alone. 1t Is imperative that she have
no interference from without. The
mothers touch, however tender, would
dash it from her hands.
"Why, how ridiculous-she is so
young''-ah, yes! We have all heard
it! There is a strong underlying trait
of jealousy in woman-hide it as she
may-and there is a deep, poignant
jealousy present in the heart of every
mother when she realizes for the 1lrSt
time that her child has made the mys-
terious change from childhood into
womanhood, and Is touched for all
time with the chrism of individual life.
From this moment she can never
again be under the dominion of another
soul. 1t is impossible that the mother
should feel otherwise, for she herself
is at the very height of her develop
ment. Every trait is strongly marked,
every faculty awake. Life has softened
her, experienced has trained her. she
is just realizing to the full the mean
ing of her gifts. 1t is no easy matter
to abdicate before the advance of the
younger life In her heart she feels
that she is just coming into close quar-
ters with life, and just learning to give
and receive of its bounty. To step
aside now, as her whole nature is
aglow with healthy maturity, Is hard.
1t would be strange If the overtones OF
jealousy--a jealousy of the most subtle
and complex kind-did not make them
selves heard. She would be the last
one to admit it, but the very wish to
"be like sisters gives away the secret.
A mother cannot be sister to her
daughter at this time in their lives.
There comes a day later on when the
girl is married, has realized her 1nde-
pendence and has begun to lead her
own life when the way opens to a
beautiful possibility. 1t is the POSI-
bility of strong and equal friendship
in all the tender, varying senses of
the words between the two. This is
impossible between them during the
critical years just following the child
twelfth birthday, for nature has or
dained that they shall pull different
ways.
A very powerful force is likely to
enter the girls life at this time. 1t is a
force that acts contrary to the moth
er's influence and often stands as a
very powerful barrier between the two.
1t is the "chum'' who, If the child her.
self is normal, will be sure to hear her
cue given about this time. Quick in
her response to it, she will advance
upon the tiny stage of their mutual
life and play the principal part there
for several years, much to the disturb
ance of other actors better and more
profitable who are quite crowded off.
1t is absolutely impossible for the
mother to struggle against the strong
friendships her daughter is sure to
form between twelve and sixteen. She
will dislike those elected to hear the
condolences denied her against the
same trouble-unspoken, unadmitted
jealousy, she will have to endure ST.
lently while the home is invaded, the