The Washington herald., 1916-03-12

that unless we exercise care, interference may
easily become nuisance and tyranny.
Often when people get into trouble as a result
of interfering in matters that don't concern them
they say something like "But did that out of
pure kindness"
They don't stop to think that, as motive,
pure kindness is not enough. II ought to be
reasonable kindness.
Where kindness is reasonable it seldom leads
For it is of the essence of kindness to give
to others as much freedom of will we like to
have for ourselves.
In this matter one sex is more often at fault
than the other. 1t is the more sympathetic in
the smaller affairs of life sometimes in the larger
anairs, too The consideration may lead to repeat
ca interference in the smaller affairs where inter-
ference is most trying.
This kind of interference makes little things
dncuit. 1t sometimes makes daily living consist
OF series OF entanglements, of discussions, Of
arguments, about matters that not worth
noticing, To escape such entanglcments there are
many who resort to all kinds of concealmc nts,
subterfuges and deceit.
! have lately seen play, written by woman,
that offers curious example of interference from
the feminine point of view. The hero, a dis
ltingulShed physician, after sleepless night APP
pears IN the early morning feeling worn out. A
man friend asks him if he doesn't want breakfast
He replies that he doesn't feel like eating break
fast The friend insists. The physician shows
dHuOS dHSc linen inc friend arrangeS little table
orders breakfast and the physician finally eats.
The scene is presented as humorous. The in,
terfering friend is held up as generous, as doing
sympathetic and likable action.
4 He is, OF course, bore. II he had really been
the kind OF man the author had wished him to
seem to be, he would have let the physician alone
=, moreover, the whole scene was unmasculine
4 II could not have occurred between
But it could have occurred between some
women.
This kind OF thing kind women do to one an
tOt he time Ttaxv 10 ,la
cept where men resist it and resent it. Even Their
they sometimes do it, very kind and very unwisc
women.
/ For very kind women find the habit OF inter
tering almost impossible to give up.
i They cannot see that kindness may be form
OF self-indulgence.
There are people, however, that like to be in
terfered with. They are usually to be founc
among those who expect and demand attention
Without it they feel that they neglected: The,
tism and selhshness The more they are inter
tcred with the more their selfshness is encour
aged. Often they succeed in making the inter
terers, the natural tyrants, their slaves.
u They let the interferers do much of their think
ing and their work for them. And as rule thu
more they let the nterferers do for them the NOR
they exact
i They tyrannize over their tyrants
! Children are the greatest OF all sufferers from
interference. Sometimes they resent it bitterly
SOlHeuHlcS II CIlppleS them Tor lie. For inter
ference tends to damage initiative 1t may com
Il pletely destroy initiative in the young. 1t resist
the law OF nature that encourages the young t.
do things voluntarily spontaneously, by imita
ton.
Il Just as in adults, however, so in children in
reference may lead to their establishing tyrann,
over the tyrants.
II There are greater tyrantS in the world thai
children spoiled by interference by affectionat
relatives who continually trying to thwar
them and to do things for them.
! once happened to be present when litt
girl, three or four years old, was dressing
ments held by her mother She plainly wished t.
dress herself. She giving expression to
strong initiative valuable quality But he
l mother wished to have the pleasure Of dressin,
= her child. Instead Of giving up each garment sh
, would carefully adjust it in place. Incidental,
she was interfering with the childs initiative max
ing IT weaker in the direction Of self help.
i saw that girl grow up. In everything sh
did she showed her natural initiative And thi
initiative was continually thwarted through tn
love of the mother. 1t too strong to be de
stroyed. 1t simply took new turn. Instead O
leading to self-control and energy, it led to sci
hshness and the control of the mother.
That child is now, with children o
her own. Her mother lives with her and take
care Of the children. She herself spends most O
(, her time in changing her Clothes going to tn
theater and playing bridge.
t l sometimes hear say in presence OF hi
{ very kind wife, "Oh my dear, l want to do tina
wrong Let do it wrong"
\ have noticed that the moment he uses thoS
words his wife stops interfering. Then, in his ow
:. way, he does some trifng act like pulling dow
he JnhO Shada -. &C.