Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 114, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 May 1912 — TEACHING CHILDREN TO LIE [ARTICLE]

TEACHING CHILDREN TO LIE

■ ■ - ON A CROWDED excursion train ywtertajl saw a tragedy of child-life that wrung my. heart, and an exhibition of meanness on the Phrt of < tether that for the first time in my life made ma wish 1 had the power to punish. This man was guilty xnot only, of wicked cruelty,; but of an attempt at subornation of perjury, whichxny learned legal friends tall me is .a serious crime in the eyes of the law. The train I speak of was, as usual, already crowded to the point oT extreme diseomfoft wben-lt stopped at a station andagain the seemingly Impossible happened. The incoming rush from the station platform jammed more persons into the car,: A' family group caught my eye. It was a father, a mother with an Infant in. her arms and A little girl Who Was probably eight or nine years-old. They were on their , way to the beach for a day’s outing. A young man whi> had been dinging steadfastly to his seat glanced up, tax the mother with a child in her Sohns and arose. The woman sank Wtafledly into the seat and her husband caught a Strap above her head. It was the fourth member of the group—the little girl—Who won my interest and sympathy. She had pushed her way through the crowd, carrying a satchel whose weight taxed her puny strength. It' was the impediments of the little army for the day’s march, and she bore the burden like a true soldier, although the big strong father Was wholly unencumbered. But herdhrkeyes snapped with anticipated~ pleasure of thia wonderful outing—perhaps her gladdest day of ail the yeUft-’ ■' v - ■ Thetiny creature), despite the motion of the train, held tightly to the satchel. It might have contained all the wealth of a Solomon from the way she jealously guarded it, and she even managed to smile as she was buffeted about'in the forest of legs and skirts straps overhead.' No Wbeemed :fo S 7 JbF hand4<j ductor snarled. ’ * A frightened look came into the child’s eyes. "We don't pay for her she is too young.” said the tether. “She’s more than six and you’ll have to pay. Hurry, now!" “No, she doesn't pay,” insisted; the tether. "How old are you?” demanded .the conductor, grasping the child by the The Uttfe her eyes, filled WithJ horror.and fright like those of a doe with the pack At her throat, shook her head. . C " "How old sre you?" shouted the conductor; ' 1 V . The child Was,., dumb. Her ' lips trembled and she bowed her head. • "That child is jnorq than six and you’ve got to pay for her or she’ll have to get off the train,” said the conductor,finally: The father grumblingly paid the fifteen cents fare and the conductor, with a jerk at his fore register that made the little belt give a shary cry, pemtal on. Then the fathei—a disgrace to the name—looked down at the little giH, his eyes blazing with Wfath. She had not Hed. He spoke to her and her breast heaved. She began to sob softly. She was afraid and ashamed. - Ashamed? Yes, ashamed of being a big girt and a burden to her parental Ashamed because she was growing up! Her glorious day was spotted, Perhaps a beating her bebause she;hw bden tta'ferrta ft uUJawU, auu IlaUip Udouiiy„»i s «if; jE*,, A tragedy, indeed, And the man honored by the name of father war guilty of the crime. *1 wished I had the power to punish him.