Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-09-03
BY McManuS

a young daughter to support AM
educate.
1t always struck me that her faI
ther was always so desperatelI
afraid that she would meet with jug
those particular misfortunes whic|
befell her that he wished them ol
her, but nevertheless that is just
sneaking theory of my own; AM
events certainly justified his wisdo1 1
in preparing her for an uncertain fI
ture.
When I met her the other da|
couldn't help saying:
"You are Exhibit A, the best typI
the fine flower of the America
business woman, and, business wonI
an or sheltered-li you are tn
most finished and exquisite obJed
these eyes have gazed on for SOM
time. This may sound like fulsonI
flattery, but it's really bitter envy
She laughed. She was, as usuai
so well dressed that you couldn't df
scribe her gown; it was symphorI
in gray and black, and her hal
Words fail me. 1 can only gnasI
my teeth that they never show thd
sort of creation to me.
My business is wonderful" sH
remarked with look of pride an
Joy on her face. Il should nevd
have been a really happy and cor
tented woman without it. After al
the one thing forever good is one|
work; the interest which never fail
one, the great compensation for a
the disappointments and disillusiolI
ments of life"
But you have two great inte|
ests," 1 said, your work and you
daughter"
She looked thoughtful.
my daughter" she said, "is tn
dearest thing in the world to mi
There is absolute confidence bi
tween us, we are devoted to cad
other; but sometimes I'm afraid v
don't understand each other vel
well. She takes absolutely no intel
est in Clothes" she spoke as If thu
were the most incomprehensib|
state of mind in which one coul
find oneself, and so it was-to her|
II have always chosen such prett
things for her." she went on plaid
lively. Il have always seen that sfI
was simply but charmingly dressed
and that she wore good hats; AMI
you know, 1 do know somethiIl
"You do, indeed" I assured he
"You have a sixth sense abof
them"
But my daughter won't let nj
choose them any more for herI
there was tragedy in her tone. An
the things she wears! l didn't kno|
that any one could get such hldeoq
head coverings. She won't listen
/ I'm nXnnrt
such things"
Your are, indeed" I enthusia|
tically agreed. But you're not d
expert in daughters. You've dressd
her. as YOU say, charmingly all hi
! life. without consulting her tast|
and fancies in the least. You
treated her exactly as IL she were
mannequin. You haven't allowed h|
TO express her own individuality
her own clothes even in her i1
therefore you've invaded one
woman's inalienable rights. You'1
even dictated the way she shall wet
her hair.
Let me assure you now. that nj
sympathies arc all with your daugl
ter. Poor little girl! l don't wondI
that she blossomed into ugly hal
| and frocks. They're the natural e1
| preston Oh Il pTOlOuhu anu fuA'O
derstandable revolt. I'm only SUI
prised that you haven't driven M
to smocks."
THAT'S the worst of ALL" she sal
"I've been ashamed to speak OF
She's wearing them now"
"I don't blame her." I affirmed
"If 1 had to live with you, and
told what to wear and what not
wear every other minute, I'd be 81
ing about in coffee sacks. You an
your mother before you, and I'll
great majority of the mothers owl
the length and breadth of the worl|
are always trying to cast yoi
daughters in the mold you most al
mire. not tho mold that is natur|
for the daughter at all. oh, 1t ism
the mothers that need all the syn
nethy in this world; it's fifty-fifl
! between them and the children.