Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-05-15
Chr family Circle.
The Boy John.

.. -. MUTUAL dlS SOuit NCIg Il uC anu
suggestive things about The Boy John"
n the April number of Scribner's. We
quote as follows:
John is young. His feelings are very
far from being refined. In fact he is a
little gross in his sympathies He wants
amusement Every bone in his body
aches for recreation, for play, fun, laughter
He does not care-he has never been taught
to care-what the fun is, if only It will
give relief to the tidget that stings him
Not at all refined, he will 90 for what he
wants where others 90. And going where
others 90, he finds the hunger of his ma
ture coarsely met-just as the tainted meat
will fill the hunger of Starving man-in
the low revelry, vile stories, uncIean mirth
Of drinking cellars and saloons The boy
does not scriminate very closely, and to
the longing of his crude appetite the en-
tertainment Of these places is infinite y
better than any he ever could find il that
place which he had been taught to speak
Of as home. For eating and sleeping aud
getting his clothes mended, he feels that
no place can be equal to a Christrau
home; but for a good time, for passing "a
dull evening hour, for learning something
new, for words Of cheer, for professions Of
sympathy, for those genial ways which "a
boy does love, and which any boy bur
Uriah Heep must love, John will tell even
the minister to his face that home is moth
ing to a street corner, or billi.r broom
with the attachment of beer->hop
Well, by and by, just before the clock
~ T. -
the spectacles falling aud the paper slli
NJ upon the floor, and looking around
with bewildered gaze, asks, Where II
Iohn}
Where is he? Why, for want OF bet
ter instruction, he is out practising ou,
modern plan of training himself up DO tn,
way he likes to 90, having no thought that
when he Is old be viii care 10 depart from il.
But the father who has inquired for ht~
10Y rubs his eyes, looks out INTO tue dur,
ness and listens but be hears him 10,
lie wishes that his boy would not - ou
so nights but then he does 70 out "a,
wonders that J ohn cann0tsit down at hom,
Ike other boys AMI then with "a very
feeling remark that. If John does not u.
better and become steady, hc wifi make To-
miserable shira of himself, the father goes
70 bel. Inc mother waits till her ha,
comes. By and By, he does come in-h.,
re>tieSsness blown otF tho s.r-.-r r. O ...+ ...
;he early evening spent ~ relaxation winch.
Of some kind, a boy must haye-4nl th,r
At last the house Is quiet. Seep and rest
prepare the household for another day and
evening ike these.
And when that other evening comes. out
goes the boy again and the father again
wonders and wishes that John would b.
steady and stay at home, and very feeling
iy predicts that, If he does not change his
course, he will very likely come 10 a mis-
cradle end.
But, good father, why should your b.,
pend his evenings at home What Is
there at home for him What pleasant
recreation, what happy plan for viii ln-
away the hour. does he find inyitin. h.u
here, or would invite any boy there
W hat have you done to make home att
-ractive aud winsome to him as johns
home He would like amusement suited
70 his young, restless, trimming nature
now much real thought aDd care dld you
ever give in schemes, devices, plans, efforts.
with a view to meeting this passionate
yearning Of his mind How much DO
you play with him, telling stories with
him, make riddles with him, talk with him
Of what you have done and seen, OF what
your father did and saw What games,
what sports, what efforts at skill with slate
and pencil, with knife, saw and gimlet.
have you devised for him, while your look
and action were saying, My boy, l want
YOU to love your home more than any
other spot on earth?