Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-12-02
LOOK FOR INIT ALTON

imitation. Tho average, intelligent child
has that faculty well developed, and by
1t he Is enabled TO adopt himself to the
new surroundings. One OF the remark
able features of this phase Of the mat
ter Is that foundlinRs will so initiate
strangers who adopt them that there
often develops a resemblance in appear
ance and even in mental traits
There is an especial demand at the
present time for children from to 4
years of age. This age is preferred
because the child is not likely to retain
any memory of his real parents If he
has come In contact with them nor
would he have much of a recollection
even of the orphan asylum in which he
was reared. This Is the preferred age
for adoption also because then IL tho
child has Objectionable traits or heredi-
tary talnt that tendency may be discern
cd even by tho lay observer. DISPOSITION
Is detected by insight. By talking with
the child, after science has done it's ap-
pointed task, the man or woman who
contemplates adopting one can. If he is
ut all keen determine what its nature
Is and. what is more important, what IT
is likely to be.
There Is everywhere the quest for a
child Of sunny disposition II young
ster is a born optmist, as John Doe No
l4 seems to be. that will show itself in
many ways. Tho happy smile is often
as important as anything else. a child
that prattles. asks questions, and climbs
about and finds fun in everything, is
the kind that people of all classes like
to have. If such child should find
III 4,
provide every advantage. he develops in
to carefree chap, ready to ride to
hounds and to take his chances on
breaking his collarbone at polo. The
signs OF good nature Of life, of initia tive
are eagerly sought by both the amateur
and the professional seekers after adopt
able children.
DEMAND NOW FOR BOYS.
The demand at this time is for two
boys to every girl, Boys Chamber about
more. they give the idea of action. There
is something stimulating in their pres
ence Hence they are asked for by per-
sons who have plenty of room in the
country.
One of the favorite methods of adopt
ing children Is to select a boy or girl
from a group and then have the candi-
date placed in the care of family that
cares for children of this class. so that
the development of the nature of the
child may be watched to a certain point.
The last step preceding adoption is the
! long quest by persons Of wealth for the
story of the family history or an exact
story Of parentage. Extraordinary care
was taken in the case of the child adopt
ed by Mr.. and Mrs. Shepard on account
, Of the important matters of inheritance
which might grow out of the formal adop-
ton. The quest through many cities for
traces Of the boys origin is not an I'M
usual feature of adoptions. Before the
new parents get their hearts set upon
the child they want to have some reason
able assurance that theNe is no likelihood
of blackmai from designing relatives or
any prospect of the appearance of unde-
s!rable connections.
The number of adoptions like that
which Is most recently before the public
mind is much greater than Is ordinarily
supposed. 1t is an economic law that
those who are surrounded by wealth and
power frequently do not reproduce them
selves much as do those who are less
fortunate In life. The Increasing number
Of late marriages. not only among the
rich, but among persons who are of
moderate means, has decreased the birth
rate among what might be caIlol the
native American stock. The Immigrants
have large families and so the birth rate
in the United States is maintained.
DEMOCRACY ASSERTS ITSELF.
Democracy seems to assert itself con-
tinuously through these adoptiors. and
the hardy and eugene youngsters from
a lower social strata make their way up
ward.
In the course OF few years the trace
Of their humber origin is obliterated and
they are found adapting themselves 70
tho new surroundings in a free and joy
Gus life II is said that Miss Clara r.
Spence the head of fashlona Ole school
for girls. and her associate, Miss Baker
within the last two or three years have
had a hundred foundl'nSs and orphans
adopted by well-known families Of this
and other cities
One of the best known cases in soci-
illogical annals is the adoption Of a wall
known as Katherine Kennedy by Wal
Street broker and his wife, The child
bears their name and regards them as
her father and mother. She was chosen
from n great many and responded to al
the eugenic tests, and above all had that
happy nature and the pleasing grace
which so readily attract all who would
adopt children.
( The most conspicuous successes in
adoption which have been made by insti-
T tutions like the Chidren's Aid society
were through taking boys from the city
slums to the pure air of the country
4 Thousands of them have been sent West
| in this way during the last 90 years
! Now comes new dispense ton which
| brings the selected orphan child of good
! ply sique and well-balanced mind into
] families whore all is provided that makes
! for living under the best conditions.
This is often called the Age Of the
| Child. There has been all over the coun-
try an awakening interest in the younger
generation, as is shown by the growth of
child welfare associations, Of milk sta
lions and of the many societies devoted
TO reducing infant mortality, There has
been a tremendous access of enthusiasm
IN the education OF children-New York
Times Magazine.
YEARS FOOTBALL VICTIMS