Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1925-08-28
PrudencesDaughter

held the day.
Jerry's attitude toward life in gen.
eral was much like that-what she
liked she adored, what she disliked
must be changed as quickly as pos
sible. Until 1t could be changed, sEc
endured 1t with Spartan resolution
When Jerry was twenty years old,
having been graduated from the state
university, where she had acquired
fair honors in things scholastic, unri-
vailed ones In things social, she cast
about In her truanting thoughts for
legitimate avenue of action for
those boundless. effervescent spirits of
hers.
She was long time making up her
mind, there were so many places one
might go, so many things one might do.
II :hink perhaps I'd better go to
New York and study art" she said.
But long before she said 1t Jerry hat
quite decided that she would 20.
Prudence, with a great sinking In
she should certainly do that very
thing. So much being settled, Jerry
went on to discuss her plans, and TO
air her views of life in general.
"It isn't that / resent your author
ity. not in the least" she assured
them. But want to be thrown on
my own. you KNOW want to be free"
She crossed the room to the golden
| cage where a golden canary sang
blithely In the sunshine. She opened
the door. Upon the instant the bird
leaped out into to brightness of the
room, and circled once about 1t, with
brave flashing of its yellow wings.
Like that" Jerry said. "He wants
to be free"
The bird few contentedly back into
its golden cage.
Then Jerrold. the father Of jerry,
walked slowly across to the cage, his
hand outstretched to close the tiny
door. But before he could lay his
| finger upon II the flashing bit of gold
leaped out into the brightness of the
room. and then back at once into the
familiar confines of the cage, still with
his sharp eyes on Jerrold's hand, to
make a dash for freedom at his slight
est movement toward that door. Again
and again he reached toward IT. and
each time the bird leaped out to free
dom. And each time returned quickly
to the spacious cage.
ut isn't freedom itself that he
wants." said Jerry's father gravely.
HE doesn't know what freedom is.
He likes the cage much better than
the open spaces, but he hates that
closed door. He is glad to come back
to the cage, but he wants to think he
Is free. Is it the same with you,
Jerryf"
you can be free here, Jerry, #
that's all you want" Prudence put In
quickly. "Do what you wish, go where
you wish, think what"
Jerry shook her lovely head, smiling
Perhaps you do not do it on pur-
pose" she said "Sut you are closed
door, mother, and you can't help it.
Prudence either by name or nature Is
restraint-no fault of yours, you
understand"
Jerry was vastly pleased with her
decision TO study art. Art seemed Of
all things in the world the most CLAM
orous avenue to life. She had always
taken pleasant interest in pictures.
and in college had been quite a IA
vorite In the art department, where
her work both in water colors and in
oil with - lx,It ofA
sight by friendly instructor in the
department. had received warm praise
Perhaps, however, she was a little
troubled in the secret places of her
own heart. for she reverted to the sub
ject many times every day, although
It was already fully settled she should
go.
Zone has to do something, yoa
know" she said. zone isn't born just
for the sake OF living and dying and
| getting 1t over with. One has TO do
something!"
"Of course" Prudence was very
positive in her agreement.
Give you job in the plant any
time you say" her father offered
quickly, who as president OF one of
the largest motor corporations in the
Middle West was in a position to In
dulge In such largess If he chose.
You don't understand. father" she
said patiently. Taking job from
good worker who needs it to give to
a poor one who does not need II. will
never solve any iaho- questions. II
ism a matter of physical labor, you
know. It's adding TO the general rich
ness OF the world-it's putting some
thing OF yourself into circulation"
@Don't get you" Jerrold was frank
| ly puzzled.
I'll think know what you mean,
Prudence said pleasantly.
"Oh. no. you don't. mother" Jerry
| confra 7tcfnd DromDflv with laughing