Catoctin clarion., 1921-05-26
REARS Is ON
LABORER'S WAGE
Progeny Of St. Louis Man Range
in Ages From 40 Down to
Seven Years.
TELLS HOW He MANAGED IT
Hard Work and Industry the Secret
Never Brighter, Merrier, Roster,
Healthier Lot of Children
Graced a Board.

recurring Vi even au dNtIaSe i"i'i'S
q problem these days, behold Frederick
Walkenhorst, who is the father of
twenty-five children, and tells how he
has managed to bring them up ON
laborer's daily wage.
The house IN which he lives Is one
index to his methods. 1t is cottage
of perhaps five rooms. Back of the
house is barn and in the barnyard
II cow and Il flock of chickens.
There is best room furnished
neatly but scantily, the supertluities
consisting mostly of homemade handi-
craft. shelf covers and their tides OF
white linen crochet. The visitor is
permitted to tarry here for moment,
but almost Immediately is invited int"
the kitchen beyond, where three
daughters busily scrubbing floors OF
preparing the midday meal cannot
spare time to sit idle rs they talk.
Indeed, one is told that father will be
in presently for his dinner. but he
won't have time to talk, either, for
several jobs of blowing are waiting
for him In the afternoon.
Daughter Runs House.
Hilda, the oldest daughter III hnme,
apparently has been in authority since
the death of the second Mrs. Walken-
horst, five years ago. The first wife,
the mother of il children. died when
her last child was five days old The
second wife. widow with one child,
., b,r 4 la-
came the mother of II WalkenhorstS.
There are now T. children at home,
besides Il small son of HildaS.
There are not enough chairs any
where visible to seat all the family
at table at once. But chairs are to
be classified as luxurieS that may he
dispensed with, one observes lnter
when SIX bright, rosy checked, blonde
Youngsters come troDping in from
school and take places, standing, all
attention. with spoons poised, ready TO
begin on the soup almost before liil-
da has measured 1t into their plates.
The ages of the WalkenhorSt
progeny range from forty down to
seven years. Besides the II children
now at home. five have died AT vari-
Gus ages and the others, being Older.
have married and gone to homes Of
their own. There are eight grandchil-
drrn. Three of those who reside un
der the parental roof are working in
factories in the town.
"IIow have | managed to take care
OF - chldren?" Frederick Wallen
horst echoed after my question, after
he had fed his horses out In the
barn and stood rolling up his sleeves
at the Kitchen sink. "By working
hard every day" The hands hr
spread to view We're testimony NOR"
eloquent even than the vigorous. clear
ring of his voice, and his knitted coat
wet with perspiration. was further
evidence of his hearty industry
No Signs of Worry.
He is II tall, spare man, remarkably
erect for his sixty years, fair and rud-
dy. and the lines. on his face are not
those of worry but of good humor. If
his children take after him, dentist
bills need not be one of the family
Ii'l''IilS. Ills A''lli tit Sli'llS anu
white. Ills eyes. he says. are fail
ing. one doctor assures him nothing
can he done for them, So he thinks
any further expenditure on them *
useless
Never brighter. merrier, roster,
healthier looking lot of children
ever gathered about millionaire's
board than those T.. Their heavy
shoes made a lot of noise Oh the bare
floors. but otherwise in an orderly line
about the table, SpeechleSs in the pres
ence of the strange visitor, their ST.
lent but radiant smiles reflected their
fathers pride In them.
Somewhere recently the writer came
upon statistics TO the effect that mt
the age of siXty-fve no less than ~
per cent of parents in this country
are dependent upon their children for
charity WalkenhorSt next remark
revealed another remarkable contrast
in his attitude toward parenthood.
He had spoken of his dimming eyes.
81 figure at the rate they are going
my eyes are good for about five years
more" he said Il expect to work
every day until | am blind. BY that
time Helen, the baby, will be old
enough to do something for herself
Then | shall be through"