The west shore., July 19, 1890, Page 902, Image 6

WEST SHORE.
BY ELLA HIGGINSON.
est, the virtuous, the stay-right-with-it ones crowding out
the idle, the vicious, the Oh-I'm-never-eatiBfled ones. When
the little hoys " who would steal rides on trains " are capable
of filling their sisters' places, they will not have to complain;
and when the laborer is capable of doing the foreman's work
he will get the foreman's pay.
Severe lessons are hard to learn, but when once learned are
never forgotten. For instance, some do not know enough to
mind their own business ; and if you desire to teach them to
leave your affairs alone you will frequently find that gentle
means are not effectual. Then, for their sake, as well as your
own, give them a lesson that will not only free yourself from
further annoyance, but, also, be of future benefit to them.
Once upon a time a thoughtless young woman said to a school
The following remarkable assertion is made in the Detroit friend, in the presence of other classmates
Newt: " Boys have little chance to learn any business by " So you have a new step mother, Kate?"
which they can earn their daily bread. One trouble is that the Yes," was the auiet reply, in a tone, and accompanied by
girls, who ought to be at home doing housework, have taken a glance, that should have warned her questioner that the sub-
the places of the boys. How can the boys secure ject was not open to discussion. But they were unnoticed by
apprenticeships when the places are already filled by the girls? the young woman, who was bent on satisfying her curiosity.
While the girls are at work the boys are idle for want of it; " How do you like her? " she aeked, utterly unaware, so
some of them sit around the house, while others are loafing, careless had been her home training, that such questions were
stealing rides on trains, or devoting themselves to other forms m had taste.
of mischief. A friend of mine has no work, but his two sisters she is very nice," replied the other, frigidly, and with an
are down town in a store. I know a husband that is idle, while ominous flash in her my eyes. Then, if you'll believe me,
his daughter and sister-in-law are employed." that obtuse young woman, who considered every one's business
The writer of this article probably never heard of such a her own, was not yet satisfied,
rule as the " survival of the fittest." There is always a demand jj0 you cau her ' mother? ' " she asked, in a matter of
for good boys and the adjective is almost more important than course way.
the noun. In this great, beautiful world there is always work The persecuted one turned slowly and faced her interlocu
tor those who want to work and who are able to do it. Often tor; she realized that gentle measures were ineffectual in this
while a boy is sitting around whining that there is nothing to instance and that she must resort to severe ones. Her face
do, that all the places are filled by girls, his sister is working paie(j a little and her gray eyes looked black,
hard to help support him. If he wanted a place, why didn't Well," she said, and each word dropped like the clear,
he got it? I have never yet seen any one who had intellect, co& tone of a bell, " I can only say that your curiosity so far
energy and ambition fail. Give me the brown-faced boy who exceeds your good breeding that you do not deserve an answer
comes whistling to your back door and asks : " Have you got to your impertinent queries."
any wood you want sawed? " That boy has a chance to be a bitter lesson? Yes; but one that she remembers and is
president of the United States, while your little Lord Fountle- grateful for to-day.
roy will never be anything but a pet of society. The trouble
is that most people expect too much in this world ; they are not Do you know the woman who chews gum? What? You
satlBfled with small beginnings; they are not willing to work thought that disgusting habit was out of fashion long ago?
their way upward. It takes twelve months to make a year, and Well, you are mistaken ; there are sti'l woman who chew gum
many rounds to make a ladder ; but they want to run to the top at home, at the theater, on the streets, in church. Some do
at one jump and all this applies to men as well as boys. That it openly, unblushingly, independently ; others with a kind of
poor husband who was idle while his daughter and sister in- I'm-bound-to-do-it-but-wiBh-no-one would-see-me air, like the
law worked doubtless had white hands, not to be soiled by man who looks with the moat beautiful appearance of .indiffer-
ordinary toil ; he would rather sit at home and be down on his ence up and down the street and then dodges into a saloon,
luck than to do something that was not quite to his ta6te. He Some chew gum delicately, some noisily and as if by the con-
wouldn't accept a small salary, but was not worth a large one. tract-only they never finish the contract. Whoever she is
If you are qualified to obtain a large salary, never foar but that and wherever she is, the woman who chews gum is making
you will get it everybody will want you, the whole world will herself obnoxious to the people about her; or, if there are no
be ojon to you ; so, if you are not qualified to obtain it, why do people about her, she is, at least, lowering her womanhood and
you not hate yourself instead of the world? I don't know how becoming a slave to a habit. Beware of acquiring the first
it is in eastern states, but here in the great west there are room habit, for they grow Oh, dear me, how they grow I
and work for all, and it is not a question of women crowding
out men, or vice versa; but it is a question of the competent Those who have such clean consciences that they are not
crowding out the Incompetent ; the Industrious crowding out affrighted at the thought of God's judgment can afford to laugh
the shiftless ; the patient crowding out the impatient ; the hon- at the judgment of men.
A VISION.
The ball room fados. I see a little child
Kneel in the gloaming by her imall, white bed,
Mood kisses trembling on her golden head.
How pure the is I How white-how undefiled 1
I hear her breathe " Onr Father," aoft and low ;
I tee the rapt look in her upturned eyes ;
The rererent thought that in her bosom lies
Her childish bosom, white as sun-kissed snow.
" Lead us not into "Oh, that tender prayer !
It haunts one like the hopes of ranished years ;
It hurts as often on some midnight wild
One's lips feel kisses that onoe trembled there.
The music swells ; but, Oh, with passionate tears,
I see her kneel I I was that little ohild I