Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-10-07

grim condition. TO Keep frlends Win
himself. here is a task for all that
man has Of fortitude and delicsey.
Robert Louis Stevenson.
Mr. Bach is not alone in his expe-
riences," said Bessie. as she daintily
handled the lace she was sewing on
her new hat II shall never forget my
experience as a boarder in the home OF
my employer. They gave me so much
q month and my board. and that board
was something wonderful"
'Pshaw.' said the School Teacher
..your experience can't equal mine
when I taught in Smiley's Hollow
had fried turnips for breakfast and the
honiny was never half done"
ssFried turnips." exclaimed Elinor. Il
never heard Of SUCH
Law, child. there are plenty Of things
that have never come into your life
At this same house. / can't call IL
home. the children thought that an egg
that broke and spread when II was
frying was larger than the others
liked my eggs well done, so I took one
OF that sort. The oldest boy was 10, and
sat by me. When / took that egg he
said: Now, ma I told you Miss Smith
would take the biggest one Now I'M
agine my feelings. for I mad not been
there a week"
Mr.. Bach said Little Sister took what
she wanted. irrespective Of other folks.
Yes, and the three Little Brothers
where 1 boarded went around and pat
ted the things they liked"
Poor little children. they must have
been neglected. Was the mother really
POOR asked Elinor.
Poor? She and her husband had
store. the express once and / can't tell
YOU how much land Those children
fairly stuffed themselves whenever the
mothers back was turned She knew II,
but pretended that she did not, and
they knew she knew 1t. So she was only
fooling herself"
Then" spoke the School Teacher
s.she was laying the foundation for de-
ceit.''
She didn't have to lay any such foun-
dation il was born in them. The hus-
band deceived the wife. she deceived him.
and the whole place was reeking with
tears and recrimination all the time
II don't see how you lived through II.
sympathetic Elinor added
II just did. but I will never be the
same again. I had hard chills that
were laid to malaria. and that had a lot
to do with IL; but the crying children.
scoIding mother. Indifferent husband and
general uahappiness got my nervous
system entirely upset"
This conversation took place after the
three had gathered under the light, aft
er hard days work The school teach
er decided last spring that she would
rather have one 20 please. and Is in an
once The little girl who trims hats
may decide later TO venture into another
situation where she. must board in her
employers home, but not right away.
Elinor keeps books and has never really
felt or seen the hard side Of life, for
the place she fills has been hers for
ten years. and as the years have passed
she has grown into the work and been
absorbed in H.
Had a stranger looked in the room
she would have taken US for leisurely
four, one trimming her hat. one al
ready beginning her Christmas presents.
one looking over the magazine and the
fourth sewing buttons on shirt waist.
Sitting on my piazza, enjoying the
breeze. the early sunshine and the pleas
ure Of writing 20 you. ! have even an
other pleasure. for the schools Of At
Ianta are open and nothing is more
pleasing 20 me than the throngs Of chill
dren who come down this street AS
this Is the very first school for many
OF them. I have heard their brothers
and sisters. just a little older. telling
Just entering life.
It IS a momentous occasion with
many OF them and the mothers OF some
went with them one time / men,
tally congratulate the child whose pa
rents think enough Of the occasion to
put aside work or pleasure and see
them there. Not the mother who goes
20 dictate to the teacher. nor choose
the best seat for her child, but the one
who has lived close enough o her child
TO want to see her through the first
day at school
While I listened to the girls talk
ing OF the children who ate all hours
OF the day and the thought came to
me that IL those children's homes had
been better kept. the tables more intel
ligently provided for. and better sys-
tenn used IN their training. there would
be just that many more healthy chill
dren and better prospects for the mon
ey. the parents were shaving for be-
ing OF some use to humanity. Here
is where education counts.
Their little bodies are as delicate as
the wings OF q butterfly. and once
spoiled all the years that pass may
show the effects. / heard a mother