The weekly Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1911-1922, 1911-09-21
PAPER BY REV. FRALEY
Splendid Discussion of One of the
Biggest and Livest Problems
of the Time-A
Story

The first meeting, of. the Civic
club was held Monday night at the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. Boys on north
Michigan street. About fifty men,
bers were present and enjoyed a
profitable meeting.
Music by Miss Mcdowell and
Miss 0vermyer was interspersed in
the program. At the close sherbet
and waters were served. Mr.. and
Mrs. Fulkerson and Mr.. and Mrs.
Overmyer assisted in entertaining.
The subject was on public amuse-
ments and their influence on social
conditions. and also as to whether
or net our public buildings should be
used more for the pleasure of the
people of the community. The dis
cussion was ably done by Rev. Mr..
Fraley, who read a paper and by
Miss Seuthwick, who read story,
numerous and to the point. from
Everybody s, entitled "Mothers To
Men,
After stating his subject to mean
recreation and play, to which
everyone has right, Rev. Mr.
Fraley said:
On growing up. however. to years
of wider observation. did not have
to look far until there came before
me some very tragic pictures.
Picture number one was in my
home town Linden, Montgomery
Co.. IN the years of my early child
hood. remember quit. we'll the
comments, both Yin my fathers FAM
ily, and airong the neighbors. most
ly of pity or of condemnation. 1t
was that certain family, father
and mother and several children. liv-
ing In very poor circumstances. all
went to the show III the COunty-seat
town near by. and taking the featb-
: ers from their feather beds and
selling them In order to get the
money with which to buy the tickets
Ny own feelings toward that family
have since been modified as I have
come to clearer recognition of the
"play-spirit" that prevails through
out all humanity
Picture number two came before
me wien. as a youth. l made trip
to the city of Chicago. 1t was just
glimpse that l got of some of the
contested quarter in the poorer
sections of the city. The homes
were not homes, as l understood
the meaning of that word, and the
attempts at play among tine children
that | saw would not have interest
ed me when child. and their only
playground was but such as ]
would have Stunned with utter con-
tempt
Catching another glimpse in later
years of like conditions In the low
err East Side, New York City, only
confirmed my feelings Of pity for
the people who must lead so narrow
and repressed an existence.
All of the people who must live
thus. ere like the people who are
permitted to enjoy the open freedom
of larger room, and who experience
the pleasures of well-rounded life,
in possessing similar faculties and
cravings for life s enjoyments. ey-
cept fc- the fact that these facul-
ties are dwarfed. and the cravings
stiAed or prevented by the narrow
ness and the meagerness of their
surroundings.
/ feel that I should give as picture
number three a scene like unto the
first, Witnessed one n~enin@ last
Uook in the city of Plynouth. 1t
Gas near ten o'clock. and | was
-t.ra:ng with friend, an elderly
-moosman. on a street corner for a
few moments on my way home. He
directed my attention to little
group that was passing as, father
mother. children en- their way home.
NV friend, who knew them well,
remarked to me, EDO you see that
They re on their way home from the
show, and next winter, as usual
that family will be on the county for
support. - Again, amidst other
thoughts crowding NV mind, rec
ognized the "play-spirit of hrman-
ity."
This. I thought, is little part
life's creat drama, and somewhat OF
it is tragedy.
It Is indeed tragic, through some
ones fanit. ample provision is not
made for the satisfaction of all that
is natural to mankind. by which our
race is to be crowned with well-di-