The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-21
EVENING CHIT
BY RUTH CAMERON

There is a certain portion os my ancient
history which I don't think l shall for
get to my dying day. It is the description
of the way in which the barbarians Iun-
ished offending general. He was
chained down on the desert, face upwards
under the burning African sun, then his
eyelids were cut off and he was left
powcrIess to turn away his eyes from the
terrible rays, to suffer until ne died or
went mad.
Horrible, isn't it?
And yet somehow was reminded of il
when several of my letter friends urged
me to speak up for the babies whose
mothers, fathers and caretakers while
not intending to be cruel actually do
mistreat the little ones, by exposing their
eyes to glazing light.
Writes one woman, "Can sou exhort
mothers to shade the eyes Of their babies
tabies blinking that 1 hope you can pro-
test The little caps are wretcned covers
for eyes. l once met a man in the bust
ness streets wheeling baby tilted back
to the blazing sunshine, SO that the child
was winking and blinking II evident dis
comfort. l mustered courage to say,
emphatically replied The sunshine is
good for him OF course, it is good for
his body but not for his eyes. 1 know
man who went blind. because he was left
asleep outdoors with the sun shining in
surely this is something about which
mothers and fathers cannot be too care
full Yes, of course. seven-eighths of
them are already taking every precau-
But it isn't for those that this is writ
ten.
was calling on a nefghbor Of mine the
other day, when her little boy. who is
only four years and a half old. came
home from an errand on which she had
sent him.
The errand was one which had taken
ten minutes walk, including two cross
ings
the streets?" I questioned.
( wouldn't. said the mother, eff IL
were not for the training we have given
until he has carefully looked both ways
and seen that nothing is coming
Fever since he was old enough to
know anything at all 1 have trained him
that way until it is just as much habit
as it is for him to eat with a spoon in
stead of his fingers. Even when he IS
playing and his ball rolls into the street.
he never runs out after it until he has
looked both ways to see if the road is
clear. OF course. it has taken good bit
Of talking, insisting and some punish
ments, but I think it has all been worth
while for I feel so safe about him. Be-
sides I think the ha bit is one which will
be good for him to have all his life"
Since that day I have seen Phillip alone
two three times and seen him across
the street in just the manner his mother
described, so I am sure she has reason
for her confidence.
Now. don't you think her method Of in
culcating a habit of carefulness is a bet
ter way to guard child's safety, than
simply to grasp his hand when you come
to a crossing and tow him willy-nilly
across?
OF course, towing him across is a very
simple and safe way when you are with
him. but you can't always be with him.
especially as he grows older, whereas the /
habit of looking both ways before lie
tries to cross a street. if deeply enough |
inculcated, will be his constant COM |
panion.
Phillips mother said further that even |
when she and his father were out walk /
ing with him they did not take hold of |
his hand at a crossing. but simply re- /
minded him to look sharp. and thus |
taught him to assume responsibility.
When one sees adults alight from a ca |
and start to the sidewalk or launch /
themselves into a busy thorouehfare. |
looking neither to the right nor left. one
can fully endorse the idea that this habit
Of keeping his eyes open will be a unique |
and much to be desired safeguard 10
Phillip.
And incidentally to any other child.