Milford chronicle., 1937-11-19
AVOID DIsILLUsIONMENT
Emma Gary Wallace

James was three years old. He had
always enjoyed playing with boat,
and often would put one OF his little
paper dolls in the front Of the boat as
a passenger. The time came when he
was to accompany his mother and
father on journey, part of which
would be by water. Because the ship
on which they went was SO unlike his
boat, the child couldn't understand
why he had been promised a trip on
boat. To him boat must be small
enough so that one could see the
water all around it. In the ship, he
could see water only in one direction
from wherever he happened to stand.
At last he burst into sobs and ex-
claimed, Jimmy didn't want to go in
house. Jimmy wants ride on boat!"
A few years later he again went on
trip with Mother and Father, this
time to the old home town in the hills
OF distant state, where his parents
had grown up.
All his life James had heard from
time to time of the beautiful river
that flowed through this village, of
the big hills his parents had often
climbed, of the delightful neighbors,
the good school and the busy church.
James looked forward to seeing the
places he had heard so much about
and could visualize so clearly.
But when Father, Mother and Son
drew up in an out-of-the-way coun-
try hamlet, the child gazed about
with wide-open eyes and then looked
from his father to his mother in
astonishment. The main street was
narrow and muddy, and the hills he
had heard mentioned so often looked
very low and fiat. The refuse OF
mill above the town had been thrown
into the river. and the water was very
dirty.
James had grown up in modern
buildings and much business. To
him, the little hamlet looked neglect
ed and almost deserted. and in his
consciousness there was no senti-
ment connected with the past, as in |
the case of his father and mother.
From this time on, James was |
inclined to discredit what
ever his parents praised. 1t is a |
good idea for parents to keep in mind |
the fact that children form opinions !
by comparison with conditions and |
as they have known
them. 1t is better far to under-de-
scribe than to over-describe from /
ones personal viewpoint. what the
child is to see for himself.
Knowing this, wise young mother
explained simply to her two small
what it would be like at
Grandmother's house.
II think you will like it," she said
for was very happy in that house
when l was a little girl and lived
here with my parents and brothers
md sisters.
There aren't any houses right near
Is there are here, although you can
zee few houses from Grandmother's
piazza. They are some distance
Iway. There is no store nearby
where one can go and get ice-cream
.ones. But there are some kind cows
n the pasture that give rich milk,
nd when the pals of it come into
he house, it is still warm. because
is so fresh.
There will be little yellow chick
ms for you to see and half-grown
mes. and hens that lay eggs. The :
ggs. too, will be very fresh.
Grandmother will be waiting for
s, and when she puts her arms :
round us and draws us very close,
Te'll know how glad she is to see us.
I'm not going to tell you any more =
bout what it will be like at Grand
Iother's house. / want you to en-
" it, and to be able to tell me when :
e are on the way home. what you
ked best. These will be things you i
ever saw before. and things you may =
ant to remember-perhaps. to tell =.
,ur own little boys and girls when !
III are grown and you show them :
picture and tell how
geet and good she always was" :