Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-05-09


N@ 8N black volume. The title was visible; it
I@A8 was kindergarten and Child CULTURE On
XEEG the table by Miss Wentworh's side were
several other volumes Of imposing aspect
49, and in bookrack at her elbow the famous
names of Froebel, Pestalozzi Middendorf,
mingled with modern lights Of the kindergarten
such as Elizabeth Harrison and Barnard. 1t was
popularity of Agatha Miss Wentworths niece that
small library was purchased as the first step INTO any
long clothes-wel, in fact before ne was ~ he'-the
kindergarten bibliomania began. Mrs Barnes and her
husband (who was Miss Wentworth's own nephew,
summoned hurredy from their home in the Middle
West to Boston by the illness of Agathas mother.
The Barneses left the evening of the day their innocent
maiden aunt arrived, her way back to Cambridge
from trip to California. Agatha met her knswoman
in the limousine and looked very pretty and plain
received, and begged Aunt Hester to stay with Baby
Cecil until their return; otherwise she could not be
that she should keep her reason.
You have had 50 much experience and you are so
successful with children" she had pleaded in her soft
mellow, Ango-Amercan tones Agatha had married
of the Middle West, but she herself was
Boston Cabot.
"Humphw dcnurred Miss Wentworth. "r have only
'clped the boys through Harvard by giving them
ouse where they were always welcome. don't know
yth1g about young children. Cecil is four
We
".Sir," Agatha interrupted, with emphasis which
1vcyed subtle reproach to the great-aunt.
To be. sure. time does fly so; but he is certainly
oung. But, of course, I should be delighted stay
with Cecil if it would be any help to YOU"
Agatha interrupted eagerly that It would be the very
greatest help and fastened to enlghten her viceroy
Cecil has young lady-she isn't nurse, you know;
she is an accomplished Kindergarten, but her health
has failed, and she is resting this year, and taking
charge of Cecil but Miss Cargl is most faithful and
she has such compelling personality without word
hardly by look, she to control him. And he
is so well; she watches his diet He eats the simplest
things doesn't even know the taste of candy"
Miss Wentworth conscious of heroical impulse
of compassion for the boy who had never candy
han"
Miss Wentworth.
All this sounded almost too perfect; she on
bis mother SAID. was very obeden, except in one
partcular-shc hestated her pretty pale face looked
appealing than
Il don't understand it." she sighed owe done
'oyyMing read in the the books to form his charac-
e.. but ! can't break him Of it: Neither can Miss
!rgill She says he is actually the only child whose
'rong habits have proved too much for her And this
is such dreadful thing So dangerous"
What is it," said Miss Wentworth.
" but he hasn't done it for almost two weeks"
ooh, you mustn't think it is anything serious or
showing the least real perverson of his moral
"oh, remember. Didntt he setm --- ''~'
That was the other house and we put it out with
hc garden hose he little chap then. Why he
nteligent!y how it happened"
Miss Wentworths fifty years in world of mothers
could not abound in hope she made no comment be-
You'd the consong plattude that most children played
with fire.
But they outgrow it, said she. "Those who are
not burnt up she added to herself.
And perhaps for the relief of seeing her fears dis
ed Agatha began to unpaek them all On if only
n play with maches For once Cecil gave his word.
the battle was won; he broke his word; and
INT Aunt Hester think that beautiful trait?
he promised when he was only three and
han never 70 taste candy except with my permission
but he never will promise about matches. l have
.ried to apply the principles Of Froebc and it would
If, somewhere ! could find exactly his case
described; but haven't yet"
you haven't tried promising him good spanking.
suppose?
IT'S against all our principles" sighed Agatha and
her dove eyes blurred with tears. Fear demoraz
paddles slapped but Wentworth got desperate one day
and promised him good spanking the next time he
caught him playing with matches; yet that very
morning l overheard Elsa, the housenad who was his
nurse, scoldng him. and could the burned matchcs
slipping OF his little hand know ought to have
told Wentworth but he's so particular about keeping
But it use; few days later Went told Baby he
rad been so good about playing with matches that he
breath trying to think what was right to do, the child
looked squarely up in his fathers face and said But
did play wiz matches, papa Went positively gasped;
lie almost stammered when he said: my son, didn't
| promise YOU spanking if caught you striking
matches again. Yes papa. says the mite quite cheer
accepted the subterfuge; but he said that he should
whip him when he did catch him, and he couldn't take
hm to the circus; all Cecil said was I guess I'll have
to wait for Barnum; you promised to take me TO
Barnump"
HAS he played with matches since?"
ooh yes but we haven't told Wentworth, And that
makes it harder ! never kept secret from him be-
fore; but don't know how he could bear it to strike
child, and l know it would have bad effect on
Cecil
"All the authorities agree the chds self-wi is only
the perverted expression of his growing sense of per-
sonality; and if could make him feel himself part
whole, Froebel puts it, instead of just himself and
make him realize his responsibility and understand how
much mischief and danger there is in the habit, we
might stop it. for he has the tenderest heart in the
world. did begin collection OF clippings about chill
dren who fire to things. told him of the little girl
who. was playing with matches and heard some one
out OF the ROOM but the match fell against the
valance of bed. and set the house ahre: of the
children who threw matches into the basket and
also about the little boy who threw burning paper
the kitty; and the little twins who burnt up their
paraytic. grandmother-oh, quite number Of other