The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-07-12
HER MOTHERS PAST

.af
 "To have the power to forgive
 . Is empire and prerogative,
 And 'tis in crowns a nobler gem
 To grant a pardon than condemn.
 A problem has just been presented to me to solve which needs the wis., dom of Solomon. There are sure 10 be many who will take issue which ever way the decision turns or how we'll grounded the Judgment which prompted it.
 A letter has recently reached me which is in part as follows. T am a young woman greatly troubled. seek ing your wisest counsel ahn 20, em- ployed as stenographer in a prosper ous law firm, the junior member of which has just proposed marriage to me after an eight months acquaint- ance, having been in his office that length of time I have held back my decision for this reason: Should T re- veal to him dark page of my life which is like facing death for me to recall? Would revealing it lose me his love, respect and confidence? The facts briefly are: I am a child with out a name. I took the place in the world which my unfortunate mother vacated at my birth. She has no one on, earth belonging to her. Her ex- trene youth may in a measure palliate her misfortune. I was a weed that clung to life living on though tossed about among strangers. Mound em- ployment in a store as cash girl. The merchants daughter-who knew my life-felt sorry; took an interest in,me, helped me to get a. fair education in the public school and learn stenog- raphy. When she passed away I lost all on earth had to love me. She left me a hundred dollars and a letter urging me to go to large city, se- cure employment and commence life anew, bidding me never to hint or re- veal my past. followed her advice. Now a new element has entered my life-1ove and lover. Should tell him all? Would I have clear conscience? Is it his right to know it? I am great ly disturbed. want to do what is right, but, oh, T cannot give him up! I hope you will not advise me to do that" MI
 I The worl is more Nfull of just such cases than most people imagine l have spent a long night turning over this case in my mind. speculating over it from every, point of view In this instance, am constrained to decide that a parents folly is not of the schtld's making. It is another'sE sor- rowfH secret not your own ITO up- root the story so long hidden in the silent tomb could do no possible good to the living; perhaps harm might re- suit from 1t.
 If you had been guilty of such an indiscretion. it would have been your dty to take the Honorable man who had given you his heart and was about to pledge with it his hand into your confidence and rest the decision of your future happiness with him.
 The present case has no such stern obligati9n. You are all that is good, pure and worthy-all that a noble -rouns woman should be- That should suffice. Tell him that very soon after you were an orphan, living with neigh bors until you were old enough to do for yourself That's all. If a prospec- tive husband insists upon Knowing every detail of your life and of your parentage you have no choice, under such circumstances, than to make a clean breast of it, but 1t seems cruel to be obliged to drag up and disclose a --other's unfortunate past.
 I hope with all my heart this will not be necessary in your case-the man who really loves trusts the woman of his choice implicitly, 1