Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1916-12-14
written Specially for The Wide
AwakeSl

written Specially for The Wide
Awakes.)
One bright September afternoon
three high school girls. Janet Crosby,
Edith Chesley, and Estelle Garland,
walked along the principal street of
the pretty little village where they re-
sided, talking earnestly, even excitedly,
nh they halted at the CROSSROADS.
Il can't see why our parents are not
willing to haye US join the Social So
ciety,' exclaimed Estelle. 1T would
aid us to cultivate good manners and
help us to appear well in society. The
girls have books on etiquette, and it is
very evident that their parents opin-
ion of the society do not coincide with
ours. Even if it does not make per-
feet ladies of them. they do have fine
times"
Yes" responded Edith, but my
parents think that we are too young
TO meet by ourselves in a public as
se1nbly without a chaperon."
Janet answered earnestly and en-
Enthusiastically: 81 never before thought
of the why and wherefore of a thing.
but after father spoke as he did the
other day 1 have thought over what
he said and am beginning to realize
that he is correct in his belief"
why! What are his views?' ex-
claimed her two companions in unison.
We'll, he thinks the boys and girls
of today are wholly selfish" but he
added. 'carelessly so and ignorant of
the fact
How SO? That's not SOL" cried
they.
Il am afraid that it is" for as he
explained his reasons for such an as
sertion l. began to look at things diff
terently.
He specified the church, sunshine
and literary societies of our schools
as being helpful to young people; but
that it was absolutely wrong for us
Just to think of ourselves and of hav-
ing a good time"
I exclaimed "We?" "Ah, yes" he
hastily said (as if he read my very
thoughts). II know that you read to
and carry flowers to several persons
but it is only TO certain ones. Do you
do it because you really want to, and
because it is helpful to them? Oh,
no! Do you pick out the real poor
lonely and shut-in people? Do you
ever read to your own, or to other
tired mothers while they are work.
Ing, or engage in cheerful CONVERSE
ton with them? Do you help your
mothers with their
Yes" he interrupted me, 81 know
many of you have some little light
work which has been assigned you to
do, but do you actually want to help,
30 that there will be time for you to
walk and ride with your parents and
2 give your mothers time to exchange
CaIS anu 10 anu COIi-
certs and have good time as well as
you. You do not do it. You young
people, several of you band unitedly
and spend the most of your time to-
gether and do just as you wish re-
gnrdless that others want and need
pleasures as well asyou.
Then again there is the subject of
clothes. l think mothers are partly
TO blame on that score. They. deny
themselves unnecessarily OF new
clothes in modern style 80 that You
can have every dress. trine and pretty
thing you desire" He added; This
custom of doing at first was due to
cnr-,iess, thoughtless indifference with
out Your realizing tho result. but now
has becone a fixed habit and par
nts exclude themselves from society
ana overwork ard S1cr.hce n many
~syS That their children shall have
NJ shA; they icsire, consequently the
psrents have lost their good looks and
interest n the current events, local
r4evrs and In the social life about
them? When You come to me. want
Ing to join society that win make