The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-03-20
Evening Chat
Our Too Lucky Children.
BY RUTH CAMERON

Probably never in the history of the
world have the children of any race
been SO much considered, SO much
catered to. and in the middle class and
well-to-do families, so much pamper-
ed as the American children of today.
That is a fact which one realizes
every now and then with new force.
One of these now and thens happened
to me a few days ago when 1 attended
a children's party.
Do you remember the ehildren's par
ties we used to go to? Do you femem-
Der how happily we used to come
home Juggling piece of birthday cake
wrapped in pretty paper napkin, and
perhaps little box of candy or paper
cap and motto from a cracker?
Let me tell you what these children
were given to take home: the birth
day cake in napkin, candy heart,
the decorated paper plates on which
they ate, little heart-shaped box
filled with candies, a valentine, and a
toy from a grab bag.
Nor was it a children's party of a
wealthy family, just middle class
family following the standards set by
other families of the neighborhood.
And were the children delighted and
contented with all this booty? Far
from it. Everybody wanted everyone
else's toys at the grab, and being of
the age of -frankness, said so. Fur
thermore, two of the older children,
having inspected everything, calmly
announced that these things were too
young for them.
When the cake was being cut one
youngster informed the cutter that
she needn't cut much of piece for
him as he wasn't very fond of that
kind of cake. OF course his intention
was good, but imagine child of fifty
years ago with finicky preferences in
the matter of cake!
And lastly, on the way home, one of
another that the toys weren't SO good
as those at Emily's party!
Remember these were not the chill
dren of wealthy families carelessly
On the contrary they were children
who have been most carefully trained
by unusually intelligent mothers and
who are on the whole thoroughly nice
In their critical attitude they simply
showed the result of the lavish atten-
ton and well meant generosity of their
elders.
I know a little boy whose grand
mother always tried to bring him
some little thing until she found to
her horror that he met her at the door
with What have you brought me,
grandma ?''
What shall we do about it? How
can we save our children from the loss
of happiness that such a critical, COM
merciaI, expectant attitude must
bring?
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Qustion-H T. c. wires: My
daughter, who is eighteen, has left
home. Can I legally force her to re-
turn?
Rep1y-I know nothing about the
law. 1t seems, to me, however, that 1
should try some other means. Surely
you can find some way to reach your
daughters heart and bring her back
to you if you try long enough. Re-
member the law might accomplish
your purpose, but it would probably
mean estrangement and publicity.
Question-Three of us girls were
discussing whether girl should give
back an engagement ring when the
engagement is broken.
Reply-Emphatical yes. And not
only the ring but any other gifts of
value which her fiance has given her.
They were given to her as his future
wife. When she ceases to be that she
ceases to have a right to them.