THE SAD STORY OF LITTLE JANE

BY HARDMASTERIT

I found this story on an Estonian book of the `30s. I apologise for the not perfect translation. It is an hard work! This is the firs part

When I became widow my daughter Jane was only 2 years old. You may understand my perturbation at the prospect to grown up such a little girl all by myself. So decided ,with my mother-in-law's agreement ,to immediately apply to her a very strict discipline.

I must say that Jane was a good subject ,being quiet, submissive and very intelligent. She suffered and cried a lot for her father's death, that she so much loved. So I took advantage of her pain, to persuade her (is so easy at that age!) that her father was dead for her fault, not having been obedient enough, and that, if she could not been more and more obedient, I too will die, and she would be put on an orphanage for her life.

After these successful suggestions, i established that Jane will wear mourning clothes all life long. I gave away all her coloured clothes ,and made her dress with a very simple black smoke. Only to go out flat black ballerinas and very thin socks were allowed. Furthermore she was imposed to wear the "Daddy's Cage".

"This is Daddy's Cage, and here is your Daddy" , I told showing the little picture of the father fixed to the front of the cage, "that you will bring always with you, night and day, and who will control you".

I took the suggestion of the cage from a custom that I saw on a catholic nuns institute for little orphans. Here the device was called "gravity girdle" or "smilekiller".

This cage was made by two thin horizontal chains tighten to the waist and to the tiny chest, joined by other vertical chains, and closed with two little padlocks. I wanted this cage very tight. During the first week Jane seemed to suffer a lot. She protested and cried, but all was useless. After few days she learned to suffer the little torment with resignation and submissiveness. Her eyes's expression became sweetly melancholic, and, what I desired, her smile was lost. Her movements became more self-possessed and controlled, as suitable to a little orphan.

Twice a year, in the anniversary of Dad's death and the 2 of November, I brought Jane to the cemetery. In this occasion i made her wear only her black apron, with a large black bow. She walked resigned and downcast, low head and eyes, the naked little feet aching for the gravel. Anyone stopping and wondering was explained that was the anniversary of her poor Dad, and that she desired to offer to his memory her own sorrow and humiliation. Was her task, as today, to change the flowers, to give water and to wash and polish the marbles of the grave, while the visitors admired this so little girl, dressed as a repentant, kneeling on the sepulchre.

At the age of 3 ys, ever upon the insistence of her nanny, I did impose, in the house and in our garden, the hobbles to her ankles. At the age of 4 ys I started to use the whip. The child did agree with that all with resignation.