Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-01-22
TOM BOYS.

why Is 1t that The 'Tom.boy' has always been
considered a name Of reproach, and that as a class
! is one forever prosecuted aud berated1 Simp.
y because it has become a custom with Us to con
slider that there is no development for The young
but the mental our daughters do not need
beautiful forms, but only cloves" of dresses that
jessie. or Jennie. or Halle must net be children
but tiny women-ju just mama in duodecimo. This
is a mistake. AT this day, when our young men
want so sadly what is teresely termed backbone
when our. young women want stamina, when, as a
people, we need physical strength, there is are.
form upon this subject very much needed also.
l would have mothers remember that their
daughters lungs are no better adapted to bear
without injury in the putrid air of close and heated
rooms, than is the breathing apparatus of their
sons. i would have them remember tina. if phys,
ical education lie restricted, enfeetled health, and
n purposeless. aimless life, are not calculated to
bring out the genius and build up the reputation
of their sons; neither arc they to be depended on
to do this for their daughters. I would have them
encourage thoir little girls to exercise, effort, in.
dustry, aud energy. SO MS to give them the health,
yigor, activity, and power to expand into a glori.
Gus womanhood in a word, l would that they be
encouraged to become real bona fde flesh and
blood Tom boys
My idea of a 'Tom'boy' docs not necessarily in.
clude rudeness, uncouth manners, or 'outlandish
ways generally-by no means. The 'Tom-boy' is
an eager, earnest, impulsive, bright.eyed, glad
hearted, kind.souled specimen of the genus .Gemi.
mo-. Ifher laugh is n little too frequent, and her
tone a trife toe emphatic; we are willing to over.
look these for the sake Of the true life and exul'
ting vitality to which they are the escape. Valves
and indeed we rather like the high pressure ma
ture which must close off it's superfuous steam
in such ebullitions. The glancing eye, the glow
ing cheek. the fresh. balmy breath, the 1.-THE and
graceful play of the limbs, tell a tale of healthy
and vigorous physical development which is ma
lures best beauty. The soul and the mind will be
developed also in due time, and we shall have be.
fore US a woman, in the highest sense of the
term.
The 'Tom'boy' ia beautiful, in her way-shs lie
wise also in d way peculiarly her own. She can
ride q horse without bride or saddle, Il la Joan
dare, can tell you what the spade, shovel, and
hoe are made for she knows whore the first blue
violets grow, and where the wild strawberries
ripen. She can describe to you the different fish
that haunt the favorite branch" 5or she has
caught the silver"shiners' many a time can in.
form you when the young brood in the birds nest
will be ready to fly, for that household is under
her especial protection; and her native ~counten'
ance is full OF the visionsof the weather.seer, as
she explains to you that it is certain to rain to-
morrow for the "pink'eyed pimpernel" has clos
ed. and there is a deep sigh from the south among
the trees.
When the tom boy" has sprung up to a
healthful and vigorous womanhood she will be
ready to take hold Of the duties Of life, to become
a worker in the great system of humanity. She
will not sit down to sigh over the ''work given her
to do" to simper nonsense, languish in ennui. or
fall sick at heart-but she will ever be able to
take up her burden of duty. IN her track there
will be sound philosophy, iu her thoughts bold.
ness and originality, in her heart heavens own
purity, and the world will be better that she has
lived 10 it, That beautiful idea, 30 we'll express,
ed by Longfellow, Life is real, life is earnest"
realize that woman. the worlds great verb, was
created not merely ito be" but to do and too of,
ten, alas to suffer- also. But to this, her allot.
ted task, she will bring health, vigor, energy. ami
spirits, and these will give her both the power
and the endurance, without which her life must
be, in some respects at least, q failure.
Would that everybody could learn to love and
appreciate that beautiful embodiment Of freshness,
grace, sincerity, simplicity, and nature, the tom.
boy !"