Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-12-21
THE GAZETTE.
MORNING, DECEMBER 81, 1855.
A BOYS TRIALS.

The Springfield Republican has capital
article on this subject. Here are some ex-
tracts
HIS Regulations ,ch The sold Man" p
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 outsider his
father. To be restrained 10 doors at night,
to be forbidden to 60 in swimming five times
day. or to be hindered from pinching the
rest Of the children just for fun, is an inter-
ference with natural, unalienable rights, eve-
~ way injurious to the feelings. And then,
when upon some overwhelming temptation.
the boy asserts bis independence of parental
control, and receives "tanping" with a
switch from ounce bush, either upon the
back or bis bare feet, it becomes rta ly very
serious thing. We never could see that the
smart of an operation like this was at all as
suageG BY the affectionate assurance that 1t
was bestowed out of pure love.
Sitting ,cith tie Girls.-The next trial OF
that boy is to be Obliged by a cruel master to
sit With the girls at school. This usually
comes before the development of those unde.
niable afini,ies which, in after life, would
tend to make the punishment more endura-
bic. TO be pointed on. as "gal boy" to be
smiled OF grimly by the master, who 10 30
far delighted With his own inefable pleasant
~ as to give the little boys license to laugh
aloud, and to be placed by the side of girl
who has no handkerchief, and no knowledge
Of the use Of that article, is, We submit, q
trial of no mean magnitude. Yet we have
been there, and have been obliged to "sls up
close" with big Rachel, laughing and blush
RI hate her we
wonder where the overgrown, frowsy crea-
ture ia now. and what the condition of her
head is?
Tile first Long Tailed COat.-We do not be-
lieve that any boy ever put on his hrst long
tailed coat without seose OF shame. lie
first twists bis back half OF looking at 1t IN
the glass, and then when he 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 very shadow mocks him.
When be walks by the cottage where Jane
lives he dares not look up for his lie. Inc
very boards creak with consciousness OF the
strange spectacle, and the old pair OF OF pam
falcons that stop light in the garrett win
dow, nod with derision. If be is obliged to
pass group of men and boys, the trial as
sumes its most terrific stage; his legs get all
mixed up with embarrassment, and the Hap
of the dangling appendage is felt upon them,
moved by the wind of his own agitation; he
could not feel worse we're it disclOtb, worn
as q badge of disgrace. 1t is happy time
for him when be gets to church and sits down
with his coat tail under him; but be is still
apprehensive with thinking Of the Sunday
school, and wonders, if any of the children
will ask him to Saving bis long.tail blue"
Going Home With the GulS.-The entrance
into society may be said to take place after
boyhood has passed away, yet multitude
take the initiative before their boards are
presentable. 1t is great trial, either to q
tender or q tough age. For an oVergrown
bow to 20 to door, knowing that there are
q dozen girls inside, and to knock or ring
with absolute certainty that in two minutes
all their eyes will be upon him, IS o severe
test of courage. TO 20 before these girls and
make satisfactory tour OF the room with
out stepping on their toes, and then to SIT
down and dispose of ones hands, without
putting them into ones pockets, is an achieve
ment which few boys can boast. II BOY
can get 80 far as to measure of ten yards OF
tape with one of these girls. and cut it short
at each end, he may stand q chance to pass
pleasant evening; but let him not Aatter him
self that all the trials Of the evening are
over. There comes at last the breaking up.
The dear girls don their hoods, and put on
their shawls, and look so saucy and mis-.
ebievous, and unimpressible, as if they did
not wish any one to 20 hcme with them
Then comes the pinch, and the boy that
has the most pluck makes up to the prettiest
girl, his heart in his throat, and bis tongue
clinging to the roof of his mouth, and crook
ing his elbows, stammers ont the words
shall l see you homer" She touches her,
fingers to bis arm, and they walk hcme about
foot apart, feeling as awkward as couple
of goslings. As soon as she is safe inside
her own doors, be struts home, and thinks he
has "really been and gone and done it,"
Sleep comes to him at last, with dreams OF
Crinoline and calico, and be awakes in the
morning and finds the doors of life open to
him. and the pigs squealipg for breakfast.