The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09
Handles. "

"Handles, boys! hamdlesr" our dear, po-
lite, gentlemanly grandpa used to cry when
his grand,sons came rushing noisily into his
presence, asking favors, making remarks,
and replying to questions, leaving out the lit
tie, very important words, SIR, Ma am,
i" IF yOu please" Thank yOu," and "-Er-
cuse me.
Not reply could be gained from grand
pa, no matter how pressing the case, till the
handles were applied to the sentences. If
six boys had been waiting to start on fish
ing expedition, if a new kite was just ready
to be launched, if brass band and process
sion of Gagged wild beasts had been passing
the door, not even the elephant could move
him to reply to string of sentences without
handles, uttered by boy with his hat on
his head, and his hands in his pockets.
AS consequence, the boys about grand
pa grew civil and polite. They learned to
stand aside, and let a lady enter door be-
fore them; they ceased to interrupt CONVEX
sation, or monopolise the easy-chairs and
pleasant seats in the windows, so priced by
old, who cannot walk out to see the out
sights. AS they sat about the evening
;tb their books and games, they
u ornament instead of nuisance,
have heard boys called by those who do
{ view their actions with loving mothers
artial eye.
Grandpa, with his sanity spirit and
courtly manners, has gone to his reward.
With his generation have passed away our
gentlemen of the old school,, who obeyed
the command, "Be courteous" eyes,
ma am" and "No, ma'am," have become
antique phrases; and half spoken "Yes m"
and "No'm," shake of the head, nod, or
nothing at all, has taken their place. A
group of boys standing by the roadside dis
trict school house, with hats off, making po-
lite salutation to passerS.by, as was the GUS
tom in ancient New England days, would be
more wonderful sight to behold than the
children who Knocked the hoary-headed pro-
phet of God, and were devoured by the bears.
l don't know how grandpa could endure
it, if he was alive, to hear the sort of mar
ticulate sounds, perhaps intended for Umph,
umph," that proceed from the mouths, with
out opening the lips, of our young people
nowadays, in place of the obsolete eyes,
ma'am." 1t tries my love and patience Sc
verely.
This new code of manners may be a
modern improvement; but 1 fail to see
its beauty or utility. A polite, respectful
boy can never, by any freak or fashion, be
transformed into anything but a beautiful
sight. Satan favors the modern system of
calling parents and guardians cold fogies,
"played out, - "not up to the times" be-
cause he knows they want to make boys
manly, pure, and true; and he is trying to
have them disrespectful, bold, and regardless
of the feelings of those who are given them
by God to guide them in paths of wisdom.
They say fashions come around every
seven years" This is encouraging. Hope
the readers of this paper will not wait for
polite children to come in fashion; but, when
they find themselves acting rudely, will re-
member grand-pa's cry, Handles, boys, ham,
dles!"
I once, in passing by, gave little boy an
apple. What do think he said? "Of
course" you will reply, "he raised his cap,
and said. thank you" I blush to tell that
his reply was-a start, and the exclamation,
"Bully for you!"
Boys, be- courteous. You will never be
fit for any position of power or influence in
our land unless you learn to use the handles.
Our country is growing very large and we
shall want some noble men for presidents,
governors, and cabinet members, twenty
years hence. l hope few boys at least
will cling to old-fashioned, respectful ways
such as George Washington practised, and
be ready for elevation to these high positions.
Christian Banner.