Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-12-31
A BOYS TRIALS.
TNrom the Springfield Republican.

1t is hardly the fair thing, that the trials Of
moving machines, fire engines, ocean steamers,
patent medicines, and horses, should occupy the
mind to the exclusion of those trials which all
boys have to suffer, in greater or less degree,
before arrival at the age of twenty-one. We
propose to consider some of them. 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 consider his father To be restrained
in doors at night, to be forbid going in swim
ming five times day, or to be hindered from
pinching the children, just for fun, is an inter-
ference with natural, inalienable rights, every
way injurious to the feelings. And then, when
upon overwhelming temptation the boy asserts
his independence of paternal control, and re-
ceives "tanning," with switch from ounce
bush, either upon the back or his bare hand, it
becomes really very serious thing. Wenever
could see that the smart of an operation like
this was at all assuaged by the afiectionate as
surance that it was bestowed out of pure love.
The next trial of the boy is the consciousness
of the low estimate which his parents place up
on his Judgment He feels himself entirely able
to take care of himself, if he could only have
his own way. But his plans are laughed at, and
he grinds his teeth with impatience and anger.
We remember little cabal of boys, who used
to assemble behind a barn, to talk over great
plans of enterprise. 1t was finally agreed that
all should run away, and, somewhere in the
golden empire of the West, lay the foundation
of fortune which would enable us to return to
our homes as rich as nabobs. Into their plans
entered the enriching of their parents with un-
told gold. They had not doubt of success.
1t was grand scheme, above the wisdom of
plodding fathers, and it seemed to be the only
thing that could possibly emancipate them from
the yoke of paternal bondage. Two of these
boys finally agreed to act as pioneers. They
procured box of essence to peddle on the way,
and, in the deep and dark night, started in
search of freedom and fortune. They we're to
write to the others when the proper time should
come. There was a great rumpus in the neigh
borhood when the flight was discovered, but
they were followed and caught. 1t was said
they were glad to get back because their feet
were sore. One of them is now a blacksmith
with seven children, and the other wire-work-
err in comfortable circumstances. What they
would have been if parental tyranny had not
reclaimed them, it is of course, impossible to
say; but if they had been anything less than
members of Congress, it would have been a
pity. The cabal met, expressed their indigna-
ton, and voted that they would have fought
their captors to the bitter end before any one OF
them would have been taken. Oh if parents
could but appreciate the wisdom of their boys,
what world this would be-
Inc next great trial OF tne DOy Is 10 ne 0Dngeu
by cruel master to sit with the girls at school.
This usually comes before the development Of
those undefnable ympathies and aiiinities which
in after life, would tend to make punishment
more endurables To be pointed at as "gal.
boy" to be smiled at srmly by the master, who
is so far delighted with his own ineffable pleas
antry as to give the little boys license to laugh
aloud, and to be placed by the side of a CIR
who has no handkerchief, and no knowledge o
the use of the article, is, we submit, trial O.
no mean magnitude. Yet we have been there
and been made to "sit up close" with the big
Rachel, laughing and blushing till we came tC
hate her name. We wonder where the over
grown, frowsy- y-headed creature is now, and wha
the condition of her head is?
The next trial in order is the assumption o
the long tailed coat We do not believe tina
anybody ever put on his first long-tailed Goa
without sense of shame He first twists hi
back half off looking at it in the glass, and then
when he steps out of doors, it seems to him a
! if all creation was on broad grin. The SUI
laughs in the sky; the COWS turn to look at him
/, there are faces at every window, every shadoy
mocks him. When he walks by the cottag
, where Jane lives, he dares not look up for hi
life The very boards creep with consciousness
of the strange spectacle and the old pair o
pantaloons that stop light in the garret win
dow nod with derision. If he is obliged to pas
group of men and boys, the trial assumes it
, most terrific stage. His legs get all mixed VI