SOME GIRLS by Mary Louise Palmer

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 8, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 10.

SOME GIRLS.

By Mary Louise Palmer

BY MARY LOUISE PALMER.

SOME girls are rapidly becoming veritable scolds. I have a young friend, near neighbor, that I seldom visit without being reminded of Shakespeare's play.

My dear girls, I do not think it necessary or desirable to become a scold or shrew, to impress one's friends as such. Do you?

The young friend referred to is twenty years of age. The habit of fault-finding, nagging, and general bickering is growing so fixed that I fear it will cling. She is energetic and bright, tidy in dress, attractive in appearance. Alas that she is what she is!

I have been present when she would say, "Father, wipe your feet on that mat before you step an inch into the sitting room. Three times to-day have I swept sand from the carpet, all because you were too lazy to wipe your feet. Hear what I say, don't you?" And I have seen the patient father sigh and cast reproving glances at his eldest daughter. I suppose he disliked to rebuke her in the

presence of company, but to my mind she richly deserved it.

When the mother has advised in matters where experience brings wisdom, I have heard the daughter reply, with a frown between her eyes, and toss of the head, "I shall do as I please, and you will find it out, too," in harsh, emphatic tones.

The younger brothers and sisters feel the untoward home influence and express themselves accordingly. Their childish criticisms are tempered with charity, as is often childish wont. They say: "Oh, sister's cross! She's always cross, but she mends our clothes nice. Mamma says we mustn't mind. Sister's good." Father and mother are mortified, chagrined, heart-hurt many times.

Do not draw from this description that she is wholly vain and giddy. Such is not the case. Oh, that she would struggle more valiantly with her besetting sin, if such it be, until she conquers! Vigilance, unceasing watchfulness, and prayer will wrestle mightily with besetting sins. Oh, that such as I have described would put on their beautiful garments! What an overturn in many homes there would be!

And it is the little foxes, little sins, that need most careful watching. A fretful word so easily slips from the tongue. Repeated again, it becomes second nature. Fault-findings increase, naggings become fixed habits, and, O my girls, you are doomed—scolds, shrews! Avoid, turn away, overcome.—Christian at Work.