The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1920-04-19
OUR CH|LDRENS
c \ j N S


come there for them?' adding
There is something lacking in the
life of a boy or girl if that boy or girl
has no chums, And something wrong
with the 10y or girl whose friends are
not the right kind Probably the
majority of parents do not concern
themselves greatly over the matter
and yet it is more important than
many other things which are given
great attention, y continues the Times
Union. 1t is just as natural for a
normal child to wish companionship
OF children as for man to enjoy the
company of other men and women.
The most unfortunate children are
those who are denied the privilege of
associating with other children. The
grown folks" with whom they are
growing may be the best people in
the world, but they see things from a
different level, and that is something
to be considered.
Years and years ago, when we were
along about the kite and top and rab-
bjt-trap age, there were several chill
dreh on the place that belonged there
and usually anywhere from two tc
a dozen others, that had to go home
at night. There was a big yard, with
all the attractions that it could mean
to eight ten twelve or maybe even
fifteen-year Odds; a barn, swings
chickens, pigeons, trees, woodshed
fences grass and dirt enough to allow
for a fair-sized baseball diamond and
sundry outbuildings, such as. too
house, wash kitchen, and sheds tC
serve for the temporary habtation Of
flying squirrels, white mice, rims
doves and other pets we chose t
bring into port-that could not b.
taken into the house.
! You grown ups, can't you see tina
yard? And its usual inhabitants of {
Saturday, or any old summer after
noon? There wasn't any restrictions
about size or sex, and the girls wer'
there, along with the boys, and prov
cd as good fellows as any. We ha
lots of chums, the regular inhabitant
of the place, and brought them hom
with us. Nobody minded the noise ant
we do not recall that there were eve
any questions asked about the visit
ors. Maybe the undesirables knew
better than to come, even if invited
and later, when We got TO the ag'
where the girls put up their hair AM
tie boys put on Tong pants" thu
same bunch was found gathering il
the house, for informal dances ant
musical evenings and card parties am
the like.
The grown folks were pleased t
have us bring our chums home, an
+, we do not recall that the open yard
and open house had any evil results
II should be said that many of tn
neighbors were similarly inclined an
we were as welcome at their home
as their children were welcome q
ours, and the days passed quickly an
the children who had not been de
MED contact with other children an
who had brought their chums hom
and were glad to be seen in the ope
with their playmates, made exceller
men and women and no doubt profile
by the chance to view the life ahea
from their own attitudes.
Observation and experience sugge'
that the fond parents or guardian
who surround children with their eli
ers and deny them the privilege
} mingling with other children are III
. kind. The girls and boys shou
have friends and it is important TIL
the parents know the friends, and e.
. courage the other children, who a
not of the home flock, to be all tn
the home folks would wish for then
We are not required to establish nu
series for our neighbors childre
but we can well afford to be frien
with Jimmy's friends and SUSIE
} chums. These outsiders are helpil
Jimmy and Susie to become usef
grown-ups and by little friendly
+ tention we may help them Also
! lando Reporters