Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1858-12-18
A Boys Triafs.

Boys Trials.
The Springfield Republican has capt
tai article on this subject. Here are some
extracts
HIS REGULATIONS WITH THE "oLD MAN"
We suppose that the first severe trial
boy has to undergo is to submit his will to
the old man, whom he is taught to consid-
er his father. To be restrained in doors at
night, to be forbidden to go in swimming
FIVE times day, or to be hindered from
pinching the rest of the children just for
fun, is an interference with natural iualien-
able rights, every way injurious to the feel
Jugs And then, when upon some over
whelming temptation, the boy asserts his
of parental control, and re-
ccives Canning" with switch from
ounce bush, either upon bis back or his
bare feet, it becomes really serious thing
We never could see that the smart of an
operation like this was at all assuaged by
the affectionate assurance that it was be-
slowed out Of pure love.
SITTING WITH THE GIRLS.
The next great trial of that boy is to be
obliged by cruel master to sit with the
girls at school. This usually comes before
the development of those undeniable alfini-
ties which, in after life, would tend to make
the punishment more endurable. To be
pointed out as ''gal boy" to be smiled at
yrimly by the master, who is so far delight
ed With his own ineffable pleasantly as to
give the little boys to laugh aloud, and to
be placed by the side of a girl who had no
handkerchief, and no knowledge of the use
of that article, is, we submit, trial of no
mean magnitude Yet we have been there
and have been obliged to "sit up close"
with big Rachel, laughing and blushng till
we came to hate her name. We wonder
where the oVergrown frowzy creature is
now, and what the condition Of her head
is?
THE FIRST LONG TAILED coAT
We do not believe that any boy ever put
on his long tailed coat withouta sense of
shame. He first twists his back half off
looking at it in the glass, and then steps out
of doors it seems to him as if all creation
was in broad grin. The sun laughs in
the sky the cows turn to look at him,
there are faces at every window his shad-
ow mocks him. When he walks up by the
up for his life The very boards creak with
consciousness of the strange spectacle, and
the old pair of pantaloons that stop light
in the garret window, nod with derison--.
If he is obliged to pass group of men and
| BOYS, the trial assumes its most terrific
stage His legs get all mixed up with em-
! barrasSment. aud the flap Of the dangling
appendage is felt upon them, moved by the
wind of his own agitation he could not
feel worse were it dishcloth, worn as a
badge of disgrace 1t is a happy time for
| him when he gets to the church and sits
down with his coat tails under him but
he is still apprehensiye with tue thinking
of the Sunday school, and wonders if any
of the children viii ask him to "swing his
long tail blue"
GOING HOME WITH THE GIRLS.
The entrance into society may be said to
take place after boyhood has passed away,
vet a multitude take the initiative before
/ their boards are presentable. Ii isa great
trial either TO tender or tough age
For an overgFown boy to go to door,
Knowing that there are dozen girls inside
and to knock or ring with absolute certain
ty that in two minutes all their eyes VIII
be upon him, is severe test OF courage
To 90 before these girls and make salts
factory tour of the room without stepping
on their toes and then to sit down and dis
nose of ones hands without putting them
into ones pockets, is an achievement which
few boys can boast. If boy can get SO
far as to measure off ten yards Of tape with
one of these girls, aud cut it short at each
end, he may stand a chance to pass plea.
cant evening, but let him not fatter himself
that all the trials of the evening are over
There come at last the breaking up. The
dear girls don their hoods and put on
their shawls, aud look SO sauey and
mischieyous, aud uoimpressible, as If they
did not wish any one to 60 home with
them. Then comes the pinch, and the boy
who has the most pluck makes mp to the
prettiest girl, his heart in his throat, and ms
tongue clngiDg to the roof Of bis mouth,
aud crooking his elbow, stammers out me
words, "shall ! see you homer sns