The Washington herald., 1909-07-14
FROM WOMAN'S
POINT OF VIEW

The chaperon, as she Is known abroad
can never find q place IN our independent
American life, but there are grave rea-
sons why girls in their teens should be
shielded by the companionship Of mother
or, some other older relative. I do not
mean that young girls and masculine
companions Of their own age should not
be allowed TO mingle save under the
watchful eye OF a chaperon, bat there
should be well defined limits TO such IN
tmaoy. There should not be theater trips
and late suppers without a companion.
or tete-a-tete drives at night or calls
lasting somewhere near the midnight
hour, long after the other members OF
the family have retired
II Is a tax on the tired mother to play
third TO her daughters callers. but it is
g very necessary protection TO a girls
happiness. We do not recognize the part
impulse plays IN life, the power it has 70
blast the future OF more than one person.
in recent divorce case there figured
young man and woman who were the VIC
tins OF impulse, and lived miserably for
q half-dozen years. It Is doubtful II
matters viii ever mend materially be-
cause there were two children who are
to be equally shared through the year.
Ths man was guest at the young wo-
mans birthday celebration and was one
Of a half-dOZen invited to remain a while
after the other guests had departed
The tired parents had retired when the
young people decided to turn out the
lights, SIT on the floor around the log
IRE in the library and tell stories.
The man could never remember just
how It happened, but a kiss had been
given and the girl had asked him when
he wanted to see her father before he
fully woke TO the situation He faced It
like q man. wOoed and married the girl
without loving her and brought no hap
piness 10 either himself or his bride. They
struggled along TIL the second child ar
rived, and the girls own father told me
that those years OF misery might have
been prevented had he and his wife done
then full duty and remained with the
girl and her guests. The girl who is now
growing into womaDhood VIII be more
carefully guarded
I fancy hundreds Of mothers would be
Mortified at the behavior Of their daugh-
ters could they see them as does the pub
lie. in affectionate companionship with
men OF various ages, in various places.
I am quite sure that girls would not be
cuddled in masculine arms on trains at
night, on trolley cars. and on public
streets II mothers or other guardians
were with them. I am confident that loud
and coarse remarks would not De eK-
changed with strangers II girls were bet
ter protected. 1t Is beutiful to have an
abiding faith IN anybody. but II Is not
wise 70 court temptation for those who
are not prepared 70 meet il, either In age
or experience.
Il seems 10 me that mothers must have
lifelong regrets when daughters are over
whelmed by circumstances which might
have been controlled by a greater degree
OF vigilance. There are hosts Of ruined
lives because there was no friendly hand
TO snatch the victim at the moment OF
danger. There are murders which might
have been prevented and blighted lives
for which there was no decent excuse.
Death is not the worst thing that can
happen TO a woman.
It IS a pretty sight 10 see a youthful
couple under the chaperonage OF a stately
AAAo-LAbAAs IL - a NDAlAAAAtA SA5l4A a. k<ds-
Ter and It does away with scenes such
as 7 witnessed recently IN a car after the
theater. Two young women with escorts
were trying 10 be firm IN their resolve 70
go directly home. while the men offered
all the arguments they could think OF
IN favor Of supper at a fashionable hotel.
The girls had promised 20 be at home az
a stated hour. and while one wavered the
other evidently had q wholesome awe OF
consequences. The men saw no reason
Cor keeping promises OF that kind. and
said so in a rather ungracious fashion.
BETTY BRADEEN