Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-02-03
/. VOL. XIII.
OUR pAueHrERs-roM-Bors


peculiar institution the Tom Boy''-L
Nevertheless it Is one that by old and endear-
ed associations commends itself to our love-
one that by our .cognizance Of its beneficial in
fuences demands for itself our unqualified
sanction. Why is it that the g Tom Boy .
has always been considered name of reproaeh,
and as class is one forever persecuted and be
rated? Simply because it has become Gus
tom with us to consider that there is no de
yelopment for the young but the mental that
our daughters do not need beautiful forms, but
only loves y of dresses that Jessie, or Jen-
ME, or Hattie must not be children, but tiny,
nIming-crlming Wome1e-just mamma in duo
decinio- This is a mistaken idea, and it is
time that mothers were finding it out. At
this day, when our young men want so
sadly what is tersely termed backbone -
when our young women want stamina,
when as. people We need physical strength,
there is " reform upon this subject very
much needed also. Now is the time to
commence a work which is vehesneBtly cal
led for and where shall we begin with a
better prospect of success than among the
thinking, practical, substantial readers of the
Southern Homestead? would have mothers
remember that their daughters lungs are. no
better adapted TO bear without injury the pu-
trid air of close and heated rooms than is the
breathing apparatus of their sons. l would
have them remember that is restricted (physi-
ical) education, enfeebled health, delicate ner-
vous system, and above all a EuYposeiess, aim
less life, are not calculated to bring out the
genious and build Up the reputation of their
sons, neither are they to be depended on to
do this for their daughters. l would have
them encourage their girls to exercise, effort.
industry, and energy, so as to give them
health, vigor, activity and power to expand
into a glorious womanhood-in a word, /
would that they be encouraged to become real
bona fde, flesh and blood q Tom-Boys''
My idea of 3Tom- Boy does not neces-
sariiy7 include rudeness, uncouth manners, or
e outlandish ways generally-by no means.
T The q Tonl-Boy y is an eager, earnest, impuls-
i've, glad d-hearted, bright-eyed, kind-souled, In
ing, and real specimen of the genus femina.
If her laugh is little too frequent. and her
tone trifle too emphatic, we are willing to
overlook these for the sake of true life and ex-
ulting vitality to which they are the escape
valves !" and indeed we rather like the
high pressure nature which must close off its
superauous =" steam in such ebuiitions.-
The glaneing eye, the glowing cheek, the fresh
balmy breath, the 1.-THE and graceful play of
the limbs, tell tale of healthy and vigorous
physical development, which is natures best
beauty. The soul and the mind will be devel-
oped also in due time, and we shall have before
us tgonadh in the true sense of the term.
The Tom-Boy " is beautiful, in her way !;
she is wise, also, in way peculiarly her own.
She knows the names of all the COWS, can ride
the horses to water without hridle'or saddle
a Ia Joan d Arc, can tell you what the spadc
shovel aud hoe are made for, she can huns
hens nests, feed young turkeys, know wherea-
bouts on the bluff the first blue violets blow,
and where amid the thin grass of the meadow
the wild Strawberries ripen. She can describe
to you the different fish that haunt her favor
lie branch for she's caught the silver sh-
ners " many a time; can inform You when the
young brood in the bne birds nest will be
ready to fly, for that household is under her
special protection and her maire countenance
is full of visions of the weatlerseer, as she ex-
plains to you that 9. it is certain 10 rain 10
morrow, for the pink-eyed pimpernel has
closed, and there is a deep sigh from the south,
among the mountain pines.
When the fom-Boy " has sprung up to a
vigorous womanhood she will be ready TO take
hold of the duties of life to become tcorker
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 en-
nuf, or fall sick at heart but she will ever be
ready to take up her burden Of duty, while ma
ture men, society. and governments exist. In
her tread there will be the sound of phyloso-
ply, in her thoughts boidhess and originality
in heart Heavens own purity, and the world
/ will be better that she has lived in it." That
beautiful idea SO well expressed by Longfel-
lou Life is real, life is earnest"
will be the soul of her actons-she will real
ize that woman the worlds great verb, was
created not merely "to be" but to do,'' ant
too often, alasl g to suffer also. But to this
her allotted task, she will bring health, vigor
/. strength, energy, and spirits, and these vii
give her both the poacer and the endurance
without which her life must be, in some res
poets, the beautiful embodiment of freshness
grace, sincerity, simplicity, and nature, th'
:. Tom Boy'-.Southern Homestead.
r . E-