Omaha daily bee., 1910-04-03

be traced to the absurd Puritanic notions
prevailing in many households against v.g-
orous romping. The girl-child is constantly
being told that much a healthy girl would
naturally do--like to do-is unladyllke:"
that to display her little child legs, climb
ing a stone wall for instance, is i'm
proper and too soon she is taken from
the wholesome out-of-doors to pass long
hours indoors, doing the many little duties
that fan to the lot OF the small girl. until
finally the open loses much Of it's appeal
to her. As she grows older she may per-
haps nave instructors who know better
how to mix her play and work, but, as in
the case of the colleges, their help comes
too late to be of service to her.
Generally by this time she has reached
the critical age of the young girl just ma
turing into womanhood, and the enormity
of the change taking place in her leaves
her so filled with WEAKNESS. aches, and
pains, that her undisciplined body is in
capable of responding to the outdoor call.
Moreover, at this age, the mind as well as
the body is changing. The Imagination is
developing with phenomenal rapidity, the
call of wOman's functions is stirring
strangely within her, and she becomes
dreamy, interpretive, romantic-aIl foes
" htdltilu OuluOOI me. Sle no longer
feels the Jingle of rapidly coursing blood
urging her to run in the open; she no
longer fidgets in her seat. eagerly awaiting
the moment when she shall be free from
lessons and duties to run and play. on the
contrary, at home she loves 10 curl up in
a chair with a novel which answers to the
need Of her imagination: at school she
begs TO remain in at recess" either to
indulge in pernicious romance or to ex-
change exaggerated views with her com
panlons,
Sunshine and fresh air, those unfailins
antidotes to diseased imaginatlons, no
longer tempt her. She has become anemic,
irritable, and half III, to the despair Of
puzzled teachers, tardily awakened parents
and anXiously consulted doctors. The girl
will not, only too often she cannot. take
up the life so necessary to her health; her
girlish buoyancy and vivacity come now 10
the surface only through some form OF
nervous stimulation, as the dance or the
matinee. And such craving for excitement,
which too generally characterizes the
American girl, is making OF her a highly
strung, neurotic being, who often develops
into a dissatisfied, excitement-lovins
woman.
But the parent asks: What can d.
to develop in my daughter a desire FOR
outdoor play?'
To this question there is but one answer
take her in hand when she is very young
II this is done, there will be no difficulty
interesting her permanently in the open
, The forming Of a child's taste is simple +
the busy, selfish parent will only take 4
/ little OF the time given to business anC
; worldly interests and devote It as enthusi
l astically to his chiid's training.
; Whether Of the city or the country, al
5 girls ought to be compelled TO learn swim
B ming, and, wherever It is possible, horse
Dock riding as well. Those who live nea
bodies OF water should be encouraged t.
supplement their outdoor activities witt
Z rowing and fishing. Rowing is also per
mitted the city girl, few public parks beinI
without lakes and boats. In cold climate
> every mother should make Il a part o
her family religion to see that her girl
, learn skating, snowshoeing and such othe
winter sports as her community affords
!, for there is no tonic like unto the cold
, dry air Of winter.
q There is absolutely no excuse for a giT
e not learning to like at least a part OF sucI
outdoor recreation as fan within he
n horizon, and when she does not. the blam