The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-09-30
THE GIRL AND HER HOME.

An effectual way to keep possible
suitors out is to make the appear
ance and the atmosphere of the
house so depressing that they will
soon be discouraged from calling.
Some shortsighted mothers have been
known to bring this condition about
by using the parlor for all purposes
save that for which it was intended.
Others never permit their daughters
to offer the hospitality of the home
to any guest, youth or maiden.
Your father doesn't like strangers
at the table," is a common reason,
whereas the father has not been con-
suited. The mother has settled the
whole matter, partly to check the
intimacy which breaking bread to-
gether tends to nourish; partly
through a misdirected economy.
Again, no matter what the services
or sacrifices of the daughters to the
house, it's whole routine is made sub
servient to the work of the father
and the sons. If these must rise at
an early hour everyone else must re-
tire at the hour which best accom-
modates the men. The girls work
doesn't count. No young man is
likely to risk more than one unmis-
taxable demonstration that his pres
ence is unwelcome after 8 o'clock,
even though his work is of such ma
ture that he cannot call before S.
Still other mothers have the dan
gerous gift of bitterly sarcastic
tongues; and if the daughters of the
house meet the constraints which
surround them and cut them off from
the innocent pleasures befitting their
age, with the tempestuous tears of
girlhood, there is not wanting the re-
hinder of their unmaidenliness in
showing themselves in any way de-
sirous of the attentions of men.
Should their grandmothers be still
with them. the maidens are wont to
cation like unto this: eff you are
to be married, you will be married.
If you were on the top of mountain,
or done up in an iron box the man
who is meant for you will find you. "
Should the girl have courage enough
to dissent from this oriental fatalism,
or, to name it more truly, this arrant
superstition, she is wont to be called
roundly to order for disrespect to her
elders.
To be sure, these tactics cannot be
employed in homes where the chill
these can bring their chums home,
beginning from primary school days,
and mother is cheerful and sympa-
thetic, the home will hold them fairly
we'll until they begin to think of
homes of their own. If they begin
their child life with the ever-present
shadow of stern father and a too
ready rod, they will redress their
grievances by, at the mildest, the eff
fective protest of an early marriage.
But who of adult years and fair ex-
perience has not seen these grievances
home; yes, and even by evil courses
which found their term in reforma-
tory or state prison?
But where girls are concerned, the
poison works oftentimes more slow.
ly. 1t is marvellous how much good
Catholic girl, especially, will endure
before rebelling actively against I'm.
congenial home surroundings The
| sense of filial duty, no matter how
abused, is very strong. The present
writer recalls a girl who gave prac
tically all she earned to her mother
But once, and for a special purpose
which doubtless her mother would
not have fancied, she managed to
save, and to secrete FIVE one-dollaI
bills. 1t was long before she could
use them, and by that time they were
pierced through with mothholes. ga
| judgment on mel" said the poor
child.
1t never would have occurred tC
her mother to think this patient anC
self-sacrificing daughter might want
a few dollars for herself. That she
might dream of a lover, or even of {
close woman friend, was almost as
hard to realize. Didn't she have hel
good home, and what more shoulC
she want?
Again, those who have forgotten
their youth, have forgotten also tn,
delicacy and sensitiveness of tn,
young girls heart. She will foreg,
almost anything rather than be tn,
subject of sarcasm or ridicule; o
hear the man who has won her in
faraoF n r-ox- ..a.b:77o of 1.o,. q esr,.S:~,.-