The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-05-22
That Precious
ParlOr
By Loretto C. Lynch.

GTHEHE,S no use trying" said
= district attorney to me
the other day, human ma
tI1re cannot be changed" When he
said this TO me had no idea that
his remark would hnally lead to
the subject that is always nearest
my heart refer to the American
home.
You know" he continued, IT
every father, and mother in this
community did everything in their
power to make home attractive and
desirable, I'd probably not have my
job --...
We had gone by several streets
when I learned that my companion
was on his way to investigate the
home conditions Of a certain young
prisoner. This girl was not of. the
slums. She was the daughter OF
hard working. respectable though
perhaps fg6orant people. Ignorant,
at least were they OF the heart or
youth. Brought upT with European
notions Of propriety, they ruled
with an iron hand.
To their way OF thinking, q par
Tor was a sort Of sacred museum.
Had not Mrs S. crocheted the very
tidy was so carelessly leaning
against, two years before she was
even engaged"
Yes, for the past two years. they
had noticed Mamie was inclined to
DC wild. Pinned down to facts.
Namie's wildness consisted in beg
SiRg that some boys and girls
should be allowed in the parlor two
nights a week
or course, that was only the be-
ginning. Tears, threats, and then
one fine day Mamie ceased to ask
20 be allowed to bring company
home TO her parton. She was young.
She was human. And here she was
IN America with parents a century
behind
How she wished she belonged 10
hat Mcclure family on the next
anding. Mollie Mcclure and Lizzie.
100, were so lucky. True their
oarlor had only a few crapons and
some horsehair furniture in il and
often il wasn't very clean; but
Noble and Lizzie could have the
boys and girls of the neighborhood
up twice every week.
No, MolIie was not afraid Of her
father. There was always a smile
when he came in. And often when
Dad Mcclure was terribly tired he
would force himself 10 a tune or
TAP on the ancient accordion just
20 cheer the young folks Up a bit.
Mamie BEGAN TO use the lie, that
first weapon OF the weak. to steal
\ little time away from home.
First she said she was DELAYED on
he cars. But when she began 70
work overtime several nights a
geek without any extra pay there
ere tears and threats once again.
hen the handsome. sympathizinE
young mantle one who seems TO
understand YOU 50 wcIl-camc. A
tragedy occurred and Mamie was
now awaiting trial.
] was still thinking about poor
Mamie one evening some DAYS
later. when a neiChbor's bov lust
returned from the front rang nv
door bell As he was about to 20.
he stammered bit and finally made
a request shall always feel honor
ed to remember.
Few fellows that was caught in
she'll hole with me for three DAYS
during the big show came back on
the ship with me. None Of EN- be-
long in this town. Thought Id like
10 bring EN- up to the house for A
feed. but you know nom. She is
kind OF funny. She says we can't
mess up her parlor and II I bring
the fellers up I'll have TO enter
tain them In the kitchen"
Without putting it into so many
words I understood the request in
his eyes. And so next evening,
past his mons house and its too
good-to-use parlor, the boys came
20 me. Even Vet I am lOath TO
have the scratChes-made by the
unthinkinB hobnails even Vet nest
ling in Flanders earth-eyen vet
am L loath TO have the tiny marks
removed from the polished floor.