The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-25
A child lingering upon the edge

A child lingering upon the edge
 "A of the family circle and absorbing ( \ thoughts and ideals from words spoken by others, I recall my mothers ardent praise of Miss Mulock's story. "A Brave Lady
 Strange to say I do not remember even so much as holding In my hands a copy of this old-fa shioned novel, but some how I feel as if had read every word of il so familiar is the discussion of it con- corning the ideals it sets forth and the enthusiastic appreciation shown by those near and dear to me of the quality Of bravery in women as described therein, that 1t has come to be sort of an abiding influence in my life.
 Bravery, while usually associated with men, appears to be an attribute that is equally characteristic of women. and a quality that should be fostered in the gen. tier sex.
 Time and again we see 1t ennobling and enriching a woman's life beautifying it with a kind of splendor that lifts them far above things small and petty.
 Somebody has said of Intelligent women that they are the greatest natural stimu- lants and tonies for mankind, and that they could not be this unless they pos- sessed strengthening power which is but another name for courage or bravery.
 An old army surgeon once told me that he had seen many men die and that most of them died with sort of grim courage, while women die with-sweet courage. It Is always woman's voice which urges man to reach "the land of things not done before" and womans brave faith in men, her simply uttered, II know you will,' is such splendid spur that 1t cannot be resisted. A writer of distinction has said
 Tt is a wonderful thing when you have some one beside you whom you can count on to say the very word. the only word | you want to hear
 Women are brave, too, in keeping with steady resolutions their minds fixed upon | the wearing monotonous duties of life 1 Recently I happened to be standing al l the parcels post window at the post office, and seeing a friend loaded down with parcels I must have looked inquisi- I IlNe, TOT sne QulChly sdlu lo llc. These are my sons shirts. He sent | dozen from Chicago to me to mend foi | him because he says nobody can do sucf work as I can when it comes to mend l Ing These other bundles are baby clothes | that l am sending to my daughter in Denver. I have done enough mending or
 them to last for centuries. My children
 are perhaps--badly spoiled, but do you
 know that every last one of them send
 thelr clothes back to me to be mended
 and have done so ever since they Jeff 1 the shelter of home? I feel morally sure that when I reach high heaven they will
 be lowering about me to mend their ange
 wings if they happen to tear or gel
 frayed at the edges
 l The thought came to me that the angeli 1 themselves would be proud to have theil
 wings mended by such loving fingers ant
 SD brave heart prompting the work. l Again I heard young mother declare
 the other day that she had darned sock' all day and mended the finest shirts tha 1 could be made for her boy. and still sh' had another basket piled high with equal
 ly as much to be accomplished before tht end of the week.
 l It takes bravery plus to meet the irk
 some, uninteresting little demands of life
 as well as the great, big ones, and wht