Milford chronicle., 1925-07-10
BE FAIR TO OTHER PEOPLES
CHILDREN
Mrs. Hattie r. Boyer

Is there anything more unfair
than passing judgment on the chill
dren OF others. 1t will eventually
react on the one doing it, especially
on parents who think their own
children without serious faults, as
compared with their playmates.
Time after time, I've heard a mo-
ther remark: my child is the best
youngster! He wouldn't think of
touching a thing that didn't belong
to him, and he would never tell Inc
an untruth."
Then 1 think of my visit some
time ago at the home of just such
parents. They had a small daughter
who seemed to me very charming,
unspoiled little girl. She was in the
second year at school and at times
found her work very hard but some
how managed to keep up with her
grade.
The first afternoon I was there,
Irene came home from school, drag
ging her Oilcloth bOOk-sack by her
side. She acted as though she could
hardly carry it.
Naturally, I asked her mother why
she allowed Irene to carry all her
school equipment back and forth
each day. It seemed so absurd to
me. She replied: "I don't want my
daughters things taken. There is
the biggest bunch of sneak thieves
in that school. You can't trust one
of them out of your sight"
couldn't very we'll dispute her
prejudiced notion, since was
newcomer and didn't know the situ-
alton, so I merely said: 'That's too
bad. I'm sorry to hear it"
1t went on for some time, the lit
tie girl dragging her things back
and forth each day.
Then came the mid-term tests. l
happened to be in the yard few
days after, and saw Irene coming
down the road. 1 went to meet her,
and helped carry her bag.
AS 1 lifted it, I said, "You sure do
have a load, don't yOu?"
1 opened the sack, and took out
a book to look through on our way
to the house. 1t was Third Reader. |
whats this ?" 1 asked as 1 turned |
the front pages, and saw the name OF
another girl on the inside Of the COW
er. Isn't this mistake? This isn't |
your book; it has someone else's
name in it."
The child flushed and looked en-
then falteringly replied:
20, yes, that is my book now. You
see we had our exams, and teacher
gave me this book cause passed"
20, isn't that nice! Let's go in
and tell Mother and Father about it,
[ answered.
1 still held the book in my hand
when we entered the house. We were
met by Irene's mother, who noticed
the new reader, and inquired about
It. 1 told her just what the child had
old me.
1 saw that Irene seemed extremely
nervous, and as soon as she could
out of the house, banging
he door behind her. Her mother
Ooked through the book, and she,
90, noticed the name on the cover
,ut didn't seem at all surprised. She
lad great confidence in her daugh-
er. L
Just then a disturbance took place {
n the yard There was loud excited
alking, and all of sudden
TRANCE little girl appeared in the
doorway, and inquired brusquely: /
Have you seen anything of Third
Ieader? I'm just sure Irene has it.
)ne of the girls told me she saw her {
reep over to my desk, and take it
ut Irene felt dreadfully, and cried
7hen Teacher didn't pass her. So 1 ,
Uess she took it to pretend that she
id pass"
1t was such a sudden blow 10
rene's mother that she burst into
ears, saying between sobs "TO think
~ own daughter is one Of the
neak thieves said you couldn't :
rust out of your sight! just can't
elieve it, and yet it must be true. g
II never pass judgment on any
ther child, again, since this has A
ONE home to mel"
You see, Mothers, we should have
aith in other peoples children as .
-ell as in our own, and at the same r
me realize that our boys and girls
ave faults, too. Otherwise, we may :,
eceive a terrible shock some day,
S Irene's mother did. D
A wise writer has said:
"The force of education is so great
nat we may mould the minds and
tanner of the young into what Q
hape we please, and give them the T
of such habits as shall
yer after remain"
Our very little children are gath
ring impressions daily. What kind
re they? Are we putting our chill
rem in the best possible environ
lent? Do they attend Kindergarten b
S soon as they are old enough? n
If there is no kindergarten for the
hildren of your community, why d
OF work to get one opened? Write C
} the National Kindergarten Asso-
lation, 8 West Fortieth Street, New
ork, for information and advice on
lis subject. :