Evening star., 1931-12-27

the old account books of those times
that l sometimes read through senti-
mental tears today show that the in
come for family of six averaged $92
month. We were scared, because we
were young and ignorant, but we got
through without hunger; the more dear
ly united for the fight, the more ready
to appreciate the better times that were
coming along.
1t would break my own heart to have
the children I love face what we faced,
but 1t didn't hurt us. Give your chill
dren philosophy and courage in their
viewpoint of life and nothing will hurt
them. Poor parents with the right atti-
tude can always do more for their chill
dren than well-to-do folk who are igno-
rant and afraid. Don't let them worry
even though you are serving them
palmer meals, looking about for lower
rent. Make 1t an adventure to them.
The quickest way not to be afraid is
held in the old prayer, lift up your
hearts" Lift them up with helpful
thoughts Of all the suffering and
frightened persons in the world, and
with confidence and JOY for your own
problem. You don't know what's wait
ing for you in 1932-the happiest change
your life has ever known may be six
weeks ahead of you. Fear won't draw
1t toward you apprehension and un-
easinesS and despair and rebellion de-
Stroy the very qualities in your soul
that you may need for the new venture.
WHAT a blessing it could be if we
could go back, in better times,
and destroy all the cowardly things we
ever did and said, in deSpairing and
protesting, blind and discouraged hours.
How proud you and I would be, today,
II the loved family voices could say
OF us that We never lost hope in de-
pressing times-never became down
hearted-never believed that anything
but success was ahead.
How proud your children will be of
you, in happier 1882, if they can re-
member that it was mother who never
broke, mother who held the family to-
gether, mother who told them at pre-
sently everything would come out all
right
Try this, as New Year present to
dad and the children. Watch their
faces brighten amazedly as you reso-
lutely persist upon your way. Games
at the dinner table don't cost much:
stories of successful men and women
whose beginnings were poor and diff
IulI COSI IlOIlllIlB at all.
Meet these lions boldly, and you
may find them wagging their tails at
you amiably. You don't want your
children to be soft and spoiled; you've
worried, in the past years, for fear
that youngsters were taking much too
much for granted-too much candy.
ice cream, too many trips and movies,
TOO much clothing and pocket money.
1t won't hurt them to realize that all
these things have to be earned.
THERE is boy in this college town
I used to think rather soft.
spoiled young person two years ago
His father sends him $50 month, In
stead Of $3.50 now, and the boy is quite
a different individual. He banks this
money his father sends him. and is
entirely supporting himself, not at the
fraternity house any longer, but in the
home OF rich old woman who has two
grandsons she wants exercised and
tutored and occupied between school
hours. He is going to take his entire
allowance, and some extra money, home
at Christmas; because the old man
IS kind OF worried about my mothers
doctor bills"
The depression hasn't hurt that ma
ter1al. 1t won't hurt any one who
doesn't allow it to hurt him. Our souls
and minds can control what we eat
and wear and say. if we will let them.
Bad times are good times in which to
teach our children lessons, and learn
them ourselves. Bad times are good
times in which to let the tired, anxious.
burdened man Of the house know that
as long as he keeps well, and goes on
loving his wife and children-she isn't
afraid.
(Copyright, 1917