davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1910-05-29

Whether or not obedience results. the
probability is that you will be asked,
''Why not. nlother?" 1t may be asked
idly, without much interest In the reply.
1t may be the result of curiosity. just to
discover an answer to the everlasting
Interrogation of childhood In either of
these cases not a great deal Of atten-
tion will be expended upon the response
received, unless 1t arouse deeper curios-
ity. But IL 1t arouse resentment. the
sense of justice will want reason that
is a reason, not an evasion. Anything
short of that will be unsatisfactory at
the time and Will leave seed OF sedi-
ton to linger and grow.
The moment of this question Is a cru
cial one for you. The manner IN which
you meet it speaks loudly of your quail
fication for discipline and authority. If
comfortable and communicative. you
may be disposed to give the real reason,
by far the best thing to do If busy or
crossgrained, you are. apt to retort.
Because I say so'Lthe taunt of the
oppressor. Any invasion of individual
and strongly as by their elders. When
the yoke bears unduly on the neck and
authority assumes too much, rebellion
rises in the heart and the ego springs to
It's own Q6ISuSS.
l question the justification and deny
the right OF the mother to such response.
She is taking a base advantage There
must be efficient cause for every re-.
quirement. Why not state 1t then? With
regard to principles of conduct, the mo-
tive remains always the same; there
fore. knowledge of 1t will aid the child
to refrain from repeating an improper
act. The reason IN this instance is a
piece of information of permanent value
in establishing character. Other mat
ters may be transient only, the result
of particular circumstances or environ
ment of short duration. Without respect
to the Importance or triviality of the
point. a reason for forbearance should
be given whenever sought
The child Is quite within his rights in
asking, the mother quite beyond hers in
replying in words meaning in effect. Be
cause you are my subject" Any state
ment. tone or manner which suggests
the relation of servant and master, bond
and free, is an improper and hurtful
one for him to consider He immedi-
ately feels that If he were your size,
you would not treat him so. 1t is the
same feeling of injustice that every
where exists. when power attempts to
show the weak how weak it is. Fair
play is the childs first intelligent con-
scious demand. That parent is most
unwise who prejudices the young mind
by tricks or unreason, or a too great
display of power.
The San Francisco call., 1910-05-29

yes, that was it, She had suspected that
the Robinson appointment was not as
important as he had implied. She knew
that Robinson bored him to the limit
of endurance and that he dreaded moth
ing more than hearing him enlarge
upon the merits of his inventions, which
always turned out failures. That was
the worst feature of the situation, the
long, stupid evening he had let himself
in for. Still, he told himself. some sac
rifice was worth while for the preserva-
ton of mans independence.
On Monday morning, at the railroad
station, he met Mr.. Willis, a fellow
commuter, and one of the fraternal
band of four which made social life In
Greencrest endurable.
Say was his friends greeting,
what do you think you deserve, any
how, for the way you sidetracked that
spread of yours. just as we'd all got
our hearts set ON it. to say nothing Of
our appetites2"
my spread?" was the vague reply.
'sYou mean--?',
''Oh, you needn't be so Innocent Your
birthday party, of course, on Wednes-
day evening; My. that was a mean
"Ah, yes; / see.,.. murrnured Mr.. Pc
Ny birthday, to be sure-yes.
apologetic,' continued Mr. Willis. Mrs
Peters phoned my wife about its being
all on; explained that you had a busi-
ness appointment you couldn't post
pone. It must have been something
awful to make you cut out those crabs
la Newburgh that were coming to YOU
Ny choice was that oyster dream that
A|r-r nrnf@
know what she calls it; and Smith
was in for Welsh rarebit Mills was
luckier. In way. for he hadn't sent in
his choice when the blow fell. II was
awfully white of Mrs. Peters to let us
each choose our own dish that way.
Was 1t her idea or yours?"
Her own" hastily replied Mr.. Peters.
In fact, she hadn't explained all the
details to me; wanted to make it-er-a
sort of surprise, presume .
well. that's an extenuatng circum-
stance" remarked Mr.. Smith. who had
Joined them. though you must have
what yol were taking away from us.
Say. isn't Mrs. Peters wonder with
those chafing dish things? Never tasted
anyth,i1g n,i,ld IKE EN- Apa spa MIS- Smith was
that. all right added her appreciative
husband But, of course, you planned
our game in the den while the women
folks had a talkfest downstairs. Man,
how did you have the heart to treat us
so? Your only free evening this week,
too, Mrs. Peters said; SO when will such
chance come our way again? Here's
Mills now. and he won't do a thing to
you"
The last of the defrauded trio came
up and was loud in his lamentations
and reproaches. And was going to
have mushrooms-Mrs, Peters mush-
rooms . he mourned, wiping away a fic-
titious tear. Peters, you've called of
the gastronomic event OF the season"
Mr.. Peters smiled sheepishly and NUT
tered meaningless things about "Awfully
busy just now-so sorry-weIl try II
again. in the pauses. and was much re-
lieved when the noise of the train
drowned his bsbble. He secured a seat
by himself and thought 1t all over on
his way to town. Yes, he had demon
stTated his Independence. And now,
alas. he knew the meaning of the dis
concerting twinkle in Mary's eye.
The San Francisco call., 1910-05-29

are dresses TO be finished and countless
other things to be made IL we
have a shred OF reputation OnI,v,I,atbize .
your father doesn't even synpatnli,ze'
"But, mother, he couldn't eXacty De
expected to understand-or could ne!
'FWen. he might / wonder at times
whether men ever really do; but why
shouldn't he? We brought Evelyn out
before she succeeded-I mean before she
married Jack. IsabePs the second; but,
at any rate, what I've said about your
hair is final. 1t would spoil every
thing. Isabefs chances would be COM
pIeteIv ruined If you were to grow up
before next winter. You'll have 10 pear
with it till your turn comes Anu
Mrs. Van Tassel put down the rune
She had finished, tossed a bundle. OF
embroidery and braid to the far end OF
the bed and spread out huge piece OF
damask linen.
"welI." sighed detected Betty. II sup
pose there's nothing to do but enoure
"1here. be a good child cajoled her
nearly beside myself So much to do
and only one pair of hands and single
brainl Betty, you ought TO be glad
you've a capable mother Here take
the scissors and cut off the border OF
this tablecloth It's a burning shame
to cut up a perfectly good dinner cloth
for a dress that will be done for In
corners for the front of the waist-was
that the doorbeI? Don't tell me I
hear Simpson letting anybody in Betty.
l shall see absolutely no onei Go. lean
over the banister and see who it is.
Its Mrs. Barrows-"
"Wen. 1 can't see her. Stop. Eliza
beth, do you hear me, stopi You're
dragging the tablecloth out with youl"
And Simpsons letting her up-she'
coming! ri take her into the sitting
room
The door closed quietly as Mrs. Van
Tessel pulled the mutilated damasl<
dinner cloth back into her bedroom,
of the room, for Elizabeth Van Tassel
was grown-up child and an adept
at such little games of cheat. She need
cd not the last. lost words OF her
ing
Mrs. Van Tassel sank into a chair and
The San Francisco call., 1910-05-29
Battle Hymn of the
Republic
M me eyes have seen the glory Of
lV the coming OF the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage

me eyes have seen the glory of
WI the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage
where the grapes of wrath are
stored
he hath loosed the fateful lightning NJ
His terrible swift sword:
Ills truth Is marching on.
have seen Him in the watchfres of a
hundred circling camps;
Ihey nave builded Him an altar in the
evening dews and damps
can read His righteous sentence bv
the dim and fiaring lamps.
His day is marching on.
have read a fiery gospel writ In bur-
nish'd rows of steel:
As We deal with my contemners. so
with you my grace shall deal
Let the Hero, born Of woman. crush the
serpent with his heel
Since God is marching on
He has sounded forth the trumpet that
shall never call retreat;
He is sitting out the hearts of men
before His judgment seat
Oh, be swift. my soul, to answer Hint
be jubilant, my feetL
Our God is marching on
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was
born across the sea-
With a glory in His bosom that trans
figures you and me-
As He died TO make men holy. let US
die TO make men free,
While God Is marchsj5 on.
Julia .sTelrd Howe.
The San Francisco call., 1910-05-29
though she never unbends SO far as to

though she never unbends SO far as to
state it.
Her children she never understands,
because, falling to see the advantage to
be derived, she makes no effort IN this
respect. Altogether, she is exceeding.
ly unsatisfactory as q mother. Her
methods are erratic. exasperating. stul-
tifying. This the child feels, and makes
tentative efforts to ARRIVE at something
stable by resorting to questions which
shall bring out the underlying reason
OF principle of peremptory demands.
1t is particularly annoying to have in
quiries made when one has no ready
reply. 1t seems to cast d doubt upon
ones right to ask or enforce obedience.
But a moments thought will convince
one that the child should be answered
with the same consideration accorded
an older person. Authority derives It's
power from the governed 1t is the
presence of the child that gives you
power over ! him, that that furnishes the
and your power is gone.
The allegiance of the child to the
parent is forced. because circumstances
over which he had no control placed him
under authority, and his helplessness
keeps him subject. Tact makes the
bonds unnoticed, but injustice makes
them keenly felt
That is a serious mistake conducive
to serious consequences, which leads
child to look at MS mother with suspi-
cinus eyes, to criticise either her meth
DDS or her point of view. There is
nothing more paralyzing than a uoubt,
chiefly because it works in silence OPP
position in the relative stand of mother
and child Is subversive of all true disci-
pline and profitable development. AS it
Is the mother who makes and executes
the laws 1t is she who should adapt
herself to the childs point of view,
creating and maintaining an atmosphere
of mutual goodwill and comradeship.
You say to the child: do not do
that The words in themselves are
simple emo ugh 1t is the tone which
determines your attitude. and it will de-
ternline the child s. Tone depends upon
mood chiefly Moods are difficuh to con-
troll. since they originate in intangible
things but they can be controlled. The
mother who has a good grip on herself
will find less trouble with her brood. II
you feel irritated or blue, your tone will
carry the effect OF blow. 1t will
come with raising of the voice.
freighted with exasperation. If you
should be at ease and pleasant, the
same words are uttered in a calm
way, not so much a command as a sug-
gestion. The strange thing is that tone
and manner depend more largely upon
your own feeling at the moment than
upon the undesirabllity or danger OF
the act forbidden.
The San Francisco call., 1910-05-29

DREsUMABLY every woman feels an
access Of power when she mar
ries and becomes mistress of
home. Authority acts differently upon
different temperaments.
BY the woman Who really understands
that it is accompanied by responsibility.
and appreciates the fact that results are
sure to follow; that they will touch
every member of the family over which
she presides. and will leave indelible i'm
pressions in their passing-by such a
woman power will be exercised with
care. She will have pride in the posi-
bilities of her position She will study
the duties of her office, give thoughtful
consideration to the questions which in
evitably arise and formulate working
system for the various departments Of
the home. She will establish without
friction and maintain without dissension
an administration which takes note of
the rights of ALL
She will not arrogate to herself
power above question. Her manner will
not be dictatorial nor. her rule arbi-
trary. She will not mistake a demoe-
racy for an aristocracy- She win be
children will be happy. healthy little
people, under easy control, because they
will have had explained to them the pur-
pose of government.
The opposite type of woman plays
havoc In her kingdom. There is no sys-
tenn, no order, no stated aim in view,
no particular goal of achievement. She
goes at everything in haphazard fash
ion, living from hour to hour, evading
where she can disagreeable duties, en-
counters or discussions, doing things
not because they ought to be done but
merely on impulse, leaving others un-
done at the instance of some whim. In
either case taking the easiest way, in
direct disregard of reason or conditions,
trusting blindlv as to results.
The probability is that she has never
given a serious thought to the really
enormous responsibility which her po-
sition imposes. Immediate and clearly
visible results are the only ones she
ever sees. Consequences subtle in their
nature. remote in their manifestation or
cumulative in effect have no place in
her consideration.
To her mind, her whole duty is
summed up In the facts that the house
must be kept clean, the children
clothed and fed and spanked as occa-
sion offers. These matters she will at
tend TO as to her seems good. All the
finer things of motherhood for her have
no existence. She is by no means the
extreme of her type. She is not the
woman of iron viii, whose word is the
law and the gospel, and who generally
has sufficient reason, we'll considered,
The San Francisco call., 1910-05-29

your personality from rusting out.
1t is well-known fact that more
women grow insane from the drudgery
OF housework on farms than In cities.
Does this not supply forcible argu-
ment in favor of a changer Let the
confining duties OF the home be literally
relieved by an entirely different atmos-
phere. Keep IN touch with things-new
things. Let not your individuality be
buried under pots and pans. for your
own acceptance of this condition will
very soon be the estimation OF others.
When your husband comes home with
an eager suggestion that you and ne
spend the evening away from home. IN
the name Of your future happiness. Go
not refuse, You may be tired from the
petty annoyances Of blue Monday but
you will be able to approach the next
day with a different attitude toward
your work. The stroll out to the coun-
try club (that is seeing less and less Of
you. as the weeks go by) may tire you,
but Ii is a healthy state of exhaustion.
and 1t offers a change in the kind OF
tired feeling.
Working in one groove tends to mar
row a woman until she sees no further
than a very small personal view VIII
allow. AS She grows older, the tremen-
dOuS lessons Of life are never fully ap-
preciated the estimates. of men and
women are trivial, and the Gays or ner
own existence begin with tine rising
bread and end with the strengthening
OF the kitchen table. Small wonder
that the stay-at-home' husband is a
changed mani Is il surprising that he
and she seem not to be quite the churns
that they were in the first years OF their
married life? He is disappointed and
unable to locate exactly the reason for
the difference. She is too tired aud
duh and disinterested TO care 20 ex-
plain. And the days 90 by.
The wise wife is one who, through her
touch and sympathy with the outside
world, can bring the world to the
home COntentment, intellect, sweet
companionship and a love Of home can
do this These are the result OF asso-
citation with her husband and the things
worth while outside the home The
narrow isolation that results In a re-
version Of the forces that count should
be Stunned by every woman that wishes
to bring happiness into the home.
The San Francisco call., 1910-05-29

with him from some Italian porI-or
was il Grecian. Betty? Elizabeth, dear,
whv don't Won go for a walk Win inc
dogs? You might have Simpson eaAo
them for YOU. You see. MIS- bdr1O"sS. 80
Betty and 1 have been concerned Loi
the success of the bazaar.
These charitable affairs are pOSi-
tive strain on the community; ,.....
Il agree with you perfectly. Betty
hasn't been out Of doors for days ana
as for me. hurry Of any sort mas an
effect on nv nerves. Isabel, as you
know is to be with the Murrays, ana
we shall miss her sadly. BY tne way,
/ shall go on with my nanuWotk; IL
you will forgive; you know me OF oio-
Mrs. Barrows spent some moments OF
rapt admiration over the panel OF EN- enl-
broidery. 'tYou are so resOureerul MIS-
Van Tasselr'
IT? Why. Mrs. Barrows. am a per-
feet fgnoramusi It's a mere bit OF fancy
work that Isabel started for one Of her
numerous girl friends. Betty and l were
lust remarking before you came that We
are at such a great disadvantage. II
we were only like some people, we could
turn shawls into party frocks and save
so much expense I was told OF wom-
an-nO: I think II would be most un-
fair to say who she was-who actually
made "A linen frOck from a tableclOth! 7!
"A tabIeclothr' groaned Mrs. Bar
rows in amazement.
Yes. a tableci0th: and believe. just
between ourselves. that hosts of people
who wouldn't admit II do their own
sewing But then. Mrs. Barrows. think
OF the saving!
The San Francisco call., 1910-05-29

N NE of the easiest habits to form Is
that of refusing to leave the COM
~ Portable rocking chair, In which
you can sit in a lounging robe and COM
fort. because you are too tired to
bother about dressing for the visit TO
your friend 1t is not unusual for many
to form the habit Of mot bothering,
and after the usual performance Of the
usual daily duties, drift off to bed at
the end of a monotonous day.
Or perhaps the atmosphere Is not ex-
actly one Of lazy inactivity. Perhaps
from early morning till late at night
the cares OF housekeeping claim your
attention. and you are quite satisfied
to lock up and tumble in"
In either case, you are making great
mistake. my good woman. There Is no
wisdom in self-sacrifce that is pro-
ductive Of self-effacement or deter1o-
ration that results from standing still
1t is undeniable that a duty performed
conscientiously and well Is admirable,
but there is another duty that many
women seem to forget IN the general
affairs of married ife-the duty that
they owe to themselves.
The fact that plain gold oand adorns
the finger is no excuse for the cessation
OF self-improvement and progress
through self-culture When woman -
married, she owes 1t to her huSDand, 10
her children and to herself that the per-
son at tho head of a well-ordered house
hold be broad-minded, cultured. inter-
esting and interested in the affairs or
life. The mental moral and social hori-
zon must ever widen with one years
1t is impossible to the woman whose
thoughts are hemmed in by the butch
er's order or the week laundry or the
Friday sweeping.
Nothing is ever quite so interesting
as people, or the thoughts and actions
of ones fellow beings A woman should
regard the share in the amusements or
the day, or the worlds doing. as
right, not as a benevolent compliment
that kind master occasionally should
bestow.
Friends who persist in inviting you 20
the little gatherings that you cannot
deny are pleasurabIe will finally stop
asking IL you regularly refuse, Grad
ually there will be division OF interest,
and the stay-at-home will not have the
opportunity to leave the. household.
An occasional musicale, lecture or play
is within the reach of every married
woman. A walk out in the fresh air
and sunshine with your husband. just
as you and he walked in the days that
seem so very far away, will bring both
of you back to the home with renewed
life and a fresher view of things. The
evening paper. glimpse at your favor
waiting for the husband to come-any-
thing that will relieve the hands OF
their work and give muc,h-needed exer-
else to the brain-will wonderfully lessen
the drudgery of housekeeping and keep
The San Francisco call., 1910-05-29

Though tears be salt, and wormwood
vet
Is bitter to the taste,
Gods heart is tender, and doth let
No sorrow fail or waste.
o, mothers of our Gracchi when
You gave your jewels up,
A continent of hopeless men
Grew rich in boundless hope.
Renown stands mute beside the
graves
With which the land is SCARED:
Unheralded our splendid braves
Went forth unto the Lord;
No poet boards their humble names
In his immortal scrolls,
But not the less the darkness flames
With their illumined souls.
Beneath the outward havoc, they
The inward mercy saw
High intuitiOns of duty lay
On them as strong as law;
Beyond the bloody horizon
They marked the soft rains stored,
And heard heavens tranquil voices
When earth's fierce cannon roared.
o. little mounds that cost. so muchl
We compass what you teach:
And our worse grossness feels the
OF your uplifting speech.
You thrill US with the thoughts that
In Eucharistic wine.
And by our holy dead we know
That life is still divine.
RICHARD REALF.
copyright by Funk. Wagnalls Co.)
The San Francisco call., 1910-05-29

n r. PETERS came home to lunch
mi con one warm Saturday with a
AvA slight neuralgia headache. The
runabout was laid up for repairs. the
walk from the station was long and un-
shaded and things at the office had not
moved with their accustomed smooth
ness. In the mood which results from
such combination. any trifiing event
is apt to jar. although Mr. Peters
prided himself at all times upon an un-
ruffied demeanor and very. very rea-
sonable point OF view
He removed his hat and coat IN the
grateful GOODNESS. of the front hall. Up
stairs the maid was busy with her
broom The voice of Mrs Peters pass
ing by the scene of activity, came down
TO him as she gave some final direc-
tons And, Agnes, you needn't spend
much time on the den today for we'll
frst OF tho week. / shall entertain
some friends on Wednesday evening,
ana the room must look especially nice
white gown she looked pretty enough to
rouse Mr.. Peters from the darkest of
moods. He smiled apprcciatlvely and
received her soft-voiced greetings with
luncheon he showed a tendency TO lapse
into thoughtful silence, and his Wife
noted now and then a slight wrinkle
between his brows, attributable. of
course, to his headache Not that he
neglected the excellent meal, however,
for Mr.. Peters was bit of a gourmet,
and his wife had studied his tastes in
manner which was gratifying to his
heart as well as to his palate.
Later. when they were alone upon the
shaded porch, his thoughtful mood was
still upon him. After an unusually long
period OF silence, he spoke, with the ex-
treme courtesy which sometimes marks
disturbance Of spirit
Mary, dear. / overheard your instruc-
tions to Agnes as I came in Did
understand you to say that you were
planning to entertain friends in my den
on Wednesday EVENING"" The emphasis
upon the personal pronoun. was not
marked. but 1t was there. Surely my
dear" he continued you haven't for
gotten the very definite agreement we
made in regard to that sort of thing?"
mot at ALL" replied Mrs. Peters, set
Ting herself more comfortably in her
hammock and laying down her maga-
zine. II suppose III have to tell you
about it. as you've overheard part,
though I had meant to keep it as a sur
prise. You see. Wednesday, will be-