The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, June 26, 1904, Page 15

THE SAN FRANCISCO SUNDAY CALL. — s Central News and Press Exchange.) h attach too much to sport goes without s g—or, rather, it has been n npla e of these days English novelist will owing the evil effects of the neglected d home, the slow but —what there 1 the beginning; and yearly A young couple I heard of went for their hone: The poor girl did not re had wooed and won od of idleness, enforced he was a golfer 4 shoulder), ybe she cotland. The idea was that of a tour. man went out for At dinner time he r m second day the h a far aw n d he e she finished t amused him, she walked. or lunch and i afternoon; he i him, and urged that vet another day. She 3 nd nexperienced and t liver. She had from her ng he borrowed this time, to late was g0 far as nt well too far. Th 1is blood, and the ut all other out nks drove familiar, I take it ng person who swearing when Golf and the min- his be- advice up, Tamus met his o “Then what the sack of clubs?” “What am I doing ed the puzzled Ta- g to play golf with ke upon him he continued the golf I'd an does not he makes a lifelong rt, and to it sacrifices The health resorts of hrase a famous say- »pears to have said— profits from the play- In , enor- upon you once they mpion “sprinter, the high ative for their univer- now hold on to the ban- and groan as they haul them- selves upstairs. Consumptive men, be- en to bear dow you that wh he goals they acks scored when they were or forwards of extraordinary -lightweight amateur pu- with the figure now of an Amer- desk, butt you into a corner of the ‘billiard room and, surprised that they cannot get &s near to you as they could wish, whisper to you the secret f avolding the undercut by the swift- ness of the backward leap. Broken-down tennis players, legged skaters, dropsical gentlemen ridere are to be met with hobbling on rutches along every highway of the Engadine Forest and valley echo, to their wheezy breathing. They are piti- able.objects. Never having learned to read anything but the sporting papers, books are of no use to them. They never wasted much of their youth on thought, and apparently have lost the knack of it. They don’t care for art, and nature only suggests to them the things they can.no longer do. The snow-clad mountain reminds them that once they gil can one- were daring tobogganists; the undu- lating common makes them sad because they can no longer handle a golf club; by the riverside they sit down and tell you of the salmon they caught before they caught rheumatic fever; birds only make them long for guns; music raises visions of the local cricket match of long ago enlivened by the local band; a picturesque estaminet with little ta- bles spread out under the vines recalls bitter memories of ping-pong. One is sorry for them, but their conversation is not exhilarating. The man who has other interests in life beyond sport apt to find their reminiscences monot- onous; while to each other they do not care to talk; one gathers that they do not altogether believe one another. T! foreigner is taking kindly to our sports; one hopes he will be forewarned by our example and not overdo the thing. At present one is bound to admit he shows no sign of taking sport too seriously. Football is gaining favor more and more throughout Europe. Buf yet the Frenchman has not got it out of his head that the coup to practice is kici ing the ball high into the air and catch- ing it upon his head. He would rather catch the ball upon his head than re a goal. If he can maneuver the bhall away into a corner, kick it up into the air twice running, and each time catch it on his head, he does not seem to care By JJEROME K. JEROME what happens after that. Anybody can have the ball; he has had his game and is happy. They talk of introducing cricket into Belgium. I shall certaintly try to be present at the opening game. I am afraid that until he learns from experience, the Belgian ficlder will stop cricket balls #ith his head. That the head is the proper thing with which to play ball appears to be in his blood; my head is round, he argues, and hard, just like the ball itself; what part of a man more fit and proper to meet and stop a ball, except, perhaps—but no, the head comes more readily. Golf has not yet caught on, but tennis is firmly estab- lishked from St. Petersburg to Bor- deaux. The German, with the thor- oughness characteristic of him, is working hard. University professors, stout majors, rising early in the morn- WIHERE IS GRING 10587 ing, hire boys anda practice back hand- ers and half volleys. But to the French- man, as yet, it still remains a game. He plays it in a happy, merry fashion, that Is shocking to English eyes. Your partner's service rather astonishes you. An occasional yard or so beyond the line happens to any one, but this man's object appears to be to break windows. You feel you really must remonstrate when the joyous laughter and tumultu- ous applause of the spectators explains the puzzle to you. He has not been trying to serve, he has been trying to hit a man in the next court who is stooping down to tie up his shoelace. ‘With his last ball he has succeeded; he has hit the man in the small of the back and has bowled hi over. The unanimous opinion of th# surrounding critics is that the ball could not possi- bly have been better placed. A Doherty A DUET; 2, - — { h#s never won greater applause from the crowd. Even the man who has been hit appears pleased; it shows what # Frenchman can do when he does take up a game. But French honor demands revenge. He forgets his shoe, he forgets his game. He gathers together all the balls that happen to be handy. And then commences the return match. At this point it is best to crouch down under shelter of the net. Most of the players round about adopt this plan; the more timid make for the clubhouse, and, find- ing themselves there, order coffee and light up cigarettes. After a while play- ers appear to be satisfied. The other players then gather round to claim their balls. This makes a good game by itself. The object is to get as many balls as you can, your own and other people’s—for preference other people’s— "GREAT LA N the family where there are brothers and sisters there is the possibility of a very happy life, rich in joy, fond essoclations and great .inspirations. To bring out all these possibilities there is needed the mightler transforming power of loving kindness. Without this, most of the blessings will be lost. For years seeds will refuse to grow if kept in a dry, dark place away from the sun. However, they retain their germinating powers and under favor- able conditions will grow. Thus it is homes where, brothers and sisters dwell. Even now it is not too late to Jook after the neglected seeds. It is the duty of parents to strive, by pa- tient culture, to reap the rich harvest. Is this field cultivated as it should be in your home or does it lie neglected? The family where all children are boys or girls is not complete. There is something Jacking. No matter how happy, there is something wanting. Without boys there will be lacking the manly, strengthening influences. With- ocut girls there will be an absence of sweetness and tenderness. But are there not many homes where there are both brothers and sisters, yet also an absence of the heavenly blessings which should be there? Too often is there not bitterness and strife? If so, some one ig responsible for a terrible failure. Every person has noticed how help- jess the children are in some families end how ever readv and able some children of the same age are in other families, This is entirely a matter of training. Children naturally love to do things themselves. We all know chil- dren four or five years old who are able to help themselves as well as many children much older. In helping them- selves we should let them make reae sonable effort, but stand ready to give assistance at the proper time. 1If a child wishes to do what the parent thinks should not be done, lest it ‘suf- fer pain, it is often best to warn the child. Then, if it suffers because of not following the suggestion of the rarent, the child learns the evil effects of disobedience. The great majority of parents will express sympathy, and will not say, “it serves you right.” The parent who answers in such a way may be certain that the child’s confidence will not soon .be won. Considerable effort should be made to teach children to be grateful for the many blessings which most do not ap- preciate. We, ourselves, are not gen- erally grateful save for that which is unexpected. Much less are our chil- dren likely to be. They are apt to take everything as if it rightly belonged to them. Too few children in these days have any idea of what they owe their parents. Is this not largely the result of our training? The parent who has shown children reasons for being grate- ful will have children who will appreciate what is done for them. This will make out of home a comfort- able, happy place for the parents. ‘What thrust will sink deeper into the soul of a parent than the ingratitude K3 f ¥ Thirty-Fourth Talk to Parents by Wm. J. Shearer @ — of children? Yet how common it is. So common, indeed, that it has become a proverb that “One parent will sup- port ten children better than ten chil- dren will support one parent.” It is a shame. It is the fault of their train- ing. It is our fault. The lack of interest shown by many parents in their children's school is one of the wonders of the present day. Many seem to think that the school life consists entirely of recitations, and that it is merely for this purpose that children go to school. This is a very small and the least important part of their training. If it were the most im- portant part, parents might be ex- cused for their lack of interest. There might then be some excuse for not pay- ing the poor teacher such a salary as would enable her to live as she should and improve herself as she would. The teacher’s moral influence is by far her most important influence. What have you done to make certain that it is what it should be? How often have you visited the teacher, unless to tell her how much you don’t think of her, or to make some complaint? If you have found a worthy teacher and are pleased with your child’s progress, what have you done to encourage her? How often have you told the principal or a member of the Board of Education what good work she is doing, and what an, outrage you think it is to pay so ‘ . L little for the services of one who is do- ing such a grand work in molding for weal or woe the lives of so many pre- cious little ones? Are you one of those ever ready to find fault? Does it not keep you busy managing two or three chidren of your own? How would you ltke to undertake the care and training of from forty to sixty belonging to some other people who *don’t care enough about their children to ask who their teacher is? When finding fault with a teacher, do you ever stop to think that at least ninety-nine out of every hundred teachers are better pre- pared for the training of children than are most parents? They have spent years strivihig to learn how best to edu- cate these precious children. How much time does the average parent give to this subject? Is it not just possible that they know more about their work than do most parents? Would it not, therefore, be best for parents to try to co-operate with the teachers? Have you ever really tried to learn how you can help the teacher so that she might accomplish more for your own dear child and those of others? Do you ever believe what your child says without hearing the other side of the complaint? Should not parents and teachers work together? If they pull in opposite directions, will not the in- terest of the child remain stationary? Before criticizing, will you not stop and ! remember that the teacher's work is very difficult at bo)t'! It is probable that your child’s teacher is making the work more interesting and profit- able than‘any teacher to whom you have ever gone; for the schools of to- day are infinitely better than they were twenty-five years ago. Have you ever crificized the teacher in the presence of your child? If you do, are you aware of the fact that you are injuring your child a hundred times as much as you are injuring the teacher? When he finds he can depend upon you he will say the teacher has a “plck at him.” It is quite natural that you should belleve his story. But should you not investigate before let- ting him have his own way about leaving school? On your way down the street, watch for other boys whose par- ents belleved that they were ‘“picked at.” You can see him on every corner. A cigar in his mouth, impudence in his face, a swagger in his walk, and don’t- care-a-cent in his manner, He thinks he is older than his parents, knows more than all his teachers, and is probably running a downward course faster than the latest automobile. Might it not be well to consider how you can help the teacher manage and train your child? Is it not best to take for granted that the teacher is right, unless you are led to the opposite conclusion after careful investigation? Do you really Q/"PORT - &' TRICKEN - MORTALL/" and run off with them round the courts, followed by whooping claimants. In the course of half an hour or so, when everybody is dead beat, the game—the original game—is resumed. You de- mand the score; your partner promptly says it is forty-fifteen. Both your op- ponents rush up to the set and appar- ently there is going to be a duel. It is only a friendly altercation; they very much doubt its being forty-fifteen. Fif- teen-forty they could believe; they sug- gest It as a compromise; the discussion 13 concluded by calling it deuce. As it iS rare for a game to proceed without some such incident, occurring in the middle of it, the score generally is deuce. This avoids heartburning; no- body wing a set and nobody loses. The one game generally suffices for the afternoon. To the earnest player it is also confusing to occasionally miss your partner—to turn around and find he is talking to a man. Nobody but yourself takes the slightest objection of his ab- sence. The other side appears to regard it as a good opportunity to score. Five minutes later he resumes the game. His friend comes with him, also the dog of his friend. The dog is welcomed with enthusiasm; all balls are return- ed to the dog. Until the dog is tired you do not get a look in. But all this will no doubt soon be changed. There (% ) are some excellent ¥rench and Belgian players; from'them their compatriots will gradually learn higher ideals. The Frenchman is young in the game. As the right conception of the game grows upon them they will also learn to keep the balls lower. I suppose it is the con. tinental sky. It is so blue, so beautiful; it naturally attracts one. Anyhow the fact remains that -most temnfs players on the Continent, whether English or foreign, have a tendency to aim the ball direct at heaven. At an English club in Switzerland there existed in my day a young Englishman who was real- ly a wonderful player. To get the ball past_him was almost an impossibility. It was his return that was weak. He only Rad one stroke; the ball went a hundred feet or so into the air and de- scended in his oppomnent’s court. The other man would stand watching it, a little speck’in the heavens, growing gradually bigger and bigger as it near- ed the earth. New comers would chat- ter to.him, thinking he had detected a balloon or an eagle. - He would wave them aside, explain to them that he would talk to them later, after the ar- rival of the ball. It would fall with a thud at his feet, rise another twenty yards or so and again descend. When it was at the proper height he would hit it back over the net and the next moment it would be mounting the sky again. At tournamen I have seen that young man, with tears in h leading to be giv had fled. They hid behind trees, ed silk hats and umbrellas and nded they were visitors—any de- however mean, t6 avoid the task of umpiring for that young man. Pro- vided his opponent did not go to sleep vice, or get cramp, one game might last all day. Any one could return his balls; but, as I have said, to get a ball past him was almost an impossibility. He in- variably won. The ot an, after an hour or so, would get mad and try to lose. It was his only chance of dinner. It is a pretty sight generally speaking, a tennis ground abroad. The women pay more atte n to their costumes than do our lady players; the men are usually In spotless white. The ground is often cb ituated, the club- house picturesque; there is always laughter and merriment. The play may not be so good to watch, but the pic- ture is delightful. I accompanied a man a little while ago to his club on the outskirts of Brussels. The ground was bordered by a wood orr ome side and surrounded on the other three by petites fermes—allotments, as we should call.them in England, worked by the peasants themselves. It was a glorious spring afternoon. The courts were crowded. The red earth and the green grass formed a background against which the women in their new Parisian tollets, under their bright par- asols, stood out like wondrous bouquets of moving flowers. The whole atmos- phere was a delightful mingling of idle gayety, flirtation and graceful sen- suousness. A modern Watteau would have seized upon the scene with avidity. Just beyond—separated by the al- most Invisible wire fencing—a group of peasants were working in their field. An old woman and a young girl, with ropes about their shoulders, were draw- ing a harrow guided by a Wwithered old scarecrow of a man. They paused for, a moment at the wire fencing and look- ed through. It was an odd contrast; the two worlds divided by that wire fencing—so slight, almost invisible. The girl swept the sweat from her face with her hand; the woman pushed back her gray locks underneath the hand- kerchiefs knotted about her head, the old man straightened himself with some difficulty. So they stood, for per- haps a minute, gazing with quiet, pas- sionless faces through that slight fene- ing, that a push from their work-hard- ened hands might have leveled. Was there any thought, I wonder, passing through their brains? The young girl? —she was a handsome creature in spite of her disfiguring garments. The woman?—it was a wonderfully fine face, clear, calm eyes, deep set under a square, broad- brow. The wwithered old scarecrow?—ever sowing the seed in the spring of the fruit that others shall eat. The old man bent again over the guiding ropes; gave a word. The team moved forward up the hill. It is Anatole France, I think, who says so- clety is based upon the patience of the poor. CH OF HOME INFLUENCE IN AMERICAN HOMES want to help the teacher and your children? See that they are neat and clean, that they attend school regu- larly and promptly, that they under- stand that you éxpect them to obey their teachers; that they work indus- triously while in school. Will you do this? If you will, you and your chil- dren will never regret your having done so. There are times when it seems best to send boys and girls to boarding schools. Generally it is a mistake. Better keep them under your own eye. If “you must send them to boarding school, select the school with great care. Like a poor teachcr, a poor school is dear at any price. Don't be in a hurry about having your children take advanced subjects and other lan- guages. « It is more important that they learn to observe, to think and compare, and that they understand and have something to say in English rather than know many languages and have nothing to say in any of them. Every thoughtful parent is anxious to properly train his child. Proper training will differ with each child. The effort should be to develop the natural capacities of the child so that it may unfold to a strong, beautiful character. This will mean strength of body, vigor- ous energy, warm affections, natural appetites, proper ambitions, refined tastes, firm moral convictions and a strong desire to do what is right. It is well for parents to have an ideal in mind while training children. How- ever, this should be determined upon after careful theught and not, as often 2 r is the case, with little consideration. The important thing is to have the right ideal. We must not expect that each ehild will be able to reach the high ideal we have in mind. But this Is no reason why we should not work patiently and persistently to secure the Dest possible results. What parent, looking into the face of the blue-eyed girl or the brown- eyed boy, can tell what strong passions or what high moral qualities lie hidden in that head or heart? There may be the elements of the criminal, of the orator, of the sta‘-iman. No matter what these tendencies are, they are subject to modification and susceptible to the influences which (he parents can exert. Every normal child is capable of endless improvement through. the long years,of life. No parent can easily manage a child until he has made a very careful exam- ination of himself. Each one of us has a number of peculiarittes which are likely to reappear in our cnildren, who have learned or inherited them from us; and they are also likely to deter- mine our methods of managing others. ‘We must not forget that “like pro- duces like.” Love awakens love. Harsh- ness cxcites harshness; anger, anger; frankness, frankness. This seemingly important fact is of the greatest®value in enabling us ta properly train. our children. We must ever remember that the surest and best way to produce emotions or thoughts in our children is to show these qualities in ourselves. This is one of the great secrets of suc- cess in the management of children. t