Evening star., 1942-08-10
Neighbors Judge
Us Through Our
Youngsters
Happy, " eH.Cared'
For Family Live
Orderly Lives
Bv Leffice Lee Street,

Bv Leffce Lee Street,
How clearly our children, End
their behavior, reveal to others what
sort of people We are!
If you happen to live in one OF
row of houses with back yards where
families gather after supper IN the
early spring, did you ever stop to
think that even if you did not know
anything about your neighbors, you
could size them up by their back
yard lives?
Let us imagine that on your right
is a pleasant plot. At its end Is
thriving small victory garden,
weeded and we'll worked, with
honey, gay flowers like zinnias and
marigolds to give it color. Nearby
is a well-used sand pile, empty now
because, at o'clock, its small owner
has been fast asleep for an hour'
tucked in his own crib upstairs. The
grass is neatly cut, no rubbage trails
from battered cans, no sign OF neg
lect or untidiness is seen. The
mother and father are reading the
evening paper, seated in two OF the
striped canvas chairs that are gath
cred Hospitality together, inviting
friendly talk and relaxation. Here
is order and peace for every one In
this house after busy day for all.
When the mother calls: Jimmie
and Joan!" at 7 o'clock, two young
voices answer Coming. mom!''
Soon the two appear, mussed and
grimly after hard game OF follow
the leader" of course, but with
willing grins on their little red faces.
They know that it is bathtime and
soon will be bedtime. 1t never oc-
ours to them to argue, they do not
whine, "Aw, gee, MON, don't wanna
60 to bed!"
On the other side of the fence, let
us imagine, is barren stretch, a
back yard in the worse sense. All
manner of broken boxes and trash
litters the place. A half-starved
mongrel yaps necessarily between
frantic diggings. At 7, 8 and 9
o'clock three small children, aged
IS months to years, are still play
ing or souabbling at the top OF their
lungs. AS the hour grows later they
cry and argue, so very weary they
hardly know what they are doing
Their pickering is interrupted from
time to time by the harsh voice OF a
slovenly woman who flaps out ir
heelless slippers, wiping her arms on
her skirt. Shut up, you kids" she
bawls.
Even if you had never laid eyes
on the owners of these two bacl
Yards you would know what sort O.
people lived in the houses.
It does not take a lot Of none.
for a woman to raise her children
in a clean, orderly home and Civ
them the regular routine they re
ouire for splendid health, and tn
friendliness and gentleness tha
their young hearts and minds nee'
If they are to grow to be kind, self
respecting adults.
One of the best mothers know
a Young woman with four children
Two 70 to school, and the tw
babies stay at home. She does ever
bit of her own work and she take
in a. little bit of sewing, too. He
house is sweet and clean, Away
there are little bowls Of flowers be
fore the windows that billoW wit
freshly starched curtains. Durin
the day she is brisk and neat. an
prettily powdered at o'clock whe
her lucky man comes home.
But this takes work! And wha
may I ask, does not take work
this world If it is to be done vel
1t isn't only the organization of bus
ness and war industry that gives
Nation vitality and force, 1t is tt
organization of women in the
homes, too. Women like this on
the women behind the men WI
labor and fight, the women hehir
the babies who will someday be OF
Nations power because their mott
ers have made them strong ar
good, are as much needed, now ar
always. as any other individuals
our great army of workers ar
fighters.