Omaha daily bee., 1915-02-26

thought this, others thought that. And,
as usual. when we hazard an opinion
growing out of little knowledge of the
subject most OF the guessers and theor-
lists and they who condemned were
wrong
spent an hour in the old Tomhs prison
sitting beside the strange young mother.
hearing the story as II came from her
heart and limited understanding. And
during those sixty minutes. licked away
by the prisons clock. L gathered these
truths
That we would all act differently in
given circumstances did we but know. II
we but knew.
when I found that my husband could
only get work now and then or not at all
and everything looked so black, went
to a newspaper that was trying to keep
some families together but they said they
had all they could take care of for a
month. And I didn't know where to CO."
she said. Then 1 took the children to
a day nursey, but they would only keep
them for one day. That was because we
weren't of the same religion. I didn't
know where TO. go. And my husband
didn't know"
There were many avenues of helpful
ness in the city had she but known, or
had she but known enough to inquire, or
had known where to inquire. A few re-
Bluffs from careless. hurrying passersby,
and she gave UP. She didn't know.
my oldest boy wanted everything he
saw other boys have. He used to ask
this and that until / was nearly crazy.
sympathized with him, for I had been
the only child at home and never knew
what It was to ask for anything and be
refused, II ] wanted. a new >hat-zor a
different pair OF shoes or a dress. 1 had
seen in a shop window, 1 always got It.
and so 1t hurt me terribly to hear Rich
ard ask and have to refuse him." she
said.
There again was one Of the causes that
led to q crime that shocked a crime ac-
customed city. Tho lack of self discipline
and home discipline. The lack OF teach
ing a child that what we enjoy we must
Darn. The lack of teaching a child to
earn by work and saving.
MY mother said she never wanted me
to have any thought about money or to
know any trouble. II was time enough
after / was married." she said. I wish
We have all at some moment expressed,
and yet uttered by that young woman
prisoner how terribly false and super
ficiai 1t seemed. Even a child should
learn what responsibility Is and grow
through bearing its weight as an italian
woman Strengthens her spine by bearing
great baskets upon her head.
iDid you think of trying to get some
work, so that you might help your child
REM" asked.
At had never learned to do any bur
homework. tried to get 1t. but 1t was
no use"
There again a mistake, an error OF So
ciety. Another case TO point the truth
the truth that every girl should have a
training Of livelihood. Had this girl
known something of the institutions In
the city OF her adoption, for she was not
a New York. but Philadelphia product;
had she been taught 10 save and earn
money: the pair against whom the cry,
Unnatural parentsl Punish them! Lynch
they!" has been raised would have gone
to their commonplace way in happy OBJ
scurity.
Or had the growing public sentimen,
grown TO that stature at which 1t for
babe persons untitled by home and
school training and unable to reason OF
deficit in money or brains or character
or character to marry, the crime OF
abandonment would not have been com
mitted:
The cry uttered by the fright-dazed and
hunRer-dullel mother; II did what
thought was best for my children
thought ] could get them good hOTnel
like what ! read about was doubtless
true. And society would have prevente'
her mistake. Let US train girls not al
for motherhood. but for livelihood. The
may not need one and they more thai
likely in these shifting times TO need
the other