Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 140, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 June 1910 — A Natural Question. [ARTICLE]

A Natural Question.

Henry James, the noted novelist, does not agree with Col. Roosevelt on the question of large families. Small families, such as prevail in France, indicate, to Mr. James’ mind, intelligence and progress, while large families indicate the reverse. “Large families are so embarrassing, too,” said Mr. James on his last American visit. “I once knew a man named Thompson who had fourteen children. Thompson agreed one spring holiday to take his children to the seashore for the week end. “They set off, reached the station, got their tickets and were about to board the train, when Thompson was roughly collared by a policeman. “ ‘Here, wot ’a’ you bin a-doin’ of?’ the policeman growled, fiercely. “ ‘Me? Nothing. Why?’ stammered poor Thompson. “The policeman waved his truncheon toward the Thompson family. “‘Then wot the bloody blazes,’ he hissed, ‘is this here crowd a-follerln’ ye fur?’”