American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-05-04
Troublesome Bows.


s'WHAT shall we do with that terrible
boy?" exclaimed weary mother, in
querulous tones. Husband, can't you
speak to him? l shall be glad when he
becomes a man."
The father, thus appealed to, called
cheerfully, edward, come here!"
Eyes, SIR replied frank, joyous
voice, and the culprit came fearlessly into
his fathers presence.
MY son, what have you been doing to
annoy your mother?H
Eddie put on a halfsorrowful, half
quizzical look, as he demurely responded,
nothing"
"You must have been doing some
thing"
''Well, nothing in particular" replied
the boy, ''only l can't be quiet ali the
time. I'm tired of doing nothing. I've
nobody to play with. l read until every
thing is one tumble of words in my mind.
Then when 1 fidget about, overturning
things, or do something I ought not to,
mother calls me bad and tells me to go
to work. go out of doors and hunt for
work, but fad only mischief When I
set Rover on the pigs, he chases the chick
ems; when sister comes out and tells me
what mother says, l tease her until she
cries-girls are such babies, you know!-
then just go on, and am scolded all the
time. Dear me-" said the poor fellow,
with sigh, 81 wish l could be good, and
have every one love meas Hal Warmers
folks do him."
'My dear boy, do you know why peo-
pie love Harry Wafner?"
Zoos he's gosd, l suppose"
Eddie knew What was the matter, al
though he made SO innocent plea, and
his fathers thoughts were for the first
time turned toward the present and future
of his boy. He knew he was restless and
exceedingly troublesome but never before
had he given the reason of his being so a
passing thought He dismissed Eddie
without any further words, but there
seemed to have been mutual confidence
established between them that had been
wanting before. The father reflected long
upon what Eddie had said, and with the
mothers counsel made many plans for
the great happiness of the boy. Eddie,
in the meantime, passed Indoors, and
seating himself at the foot of the great
kitchen chimney, meditated too, and re-
solved to try once more to find out the
right way, and what was the matter. The
great trouble was expressed in his own
to do" He had arrived
at that critical period in the life of every
boy, when he was full of nervous excta-
bility that must be worked off in some
way. His heart was full of wild i'm
pulses, every
full exercise made his eyes brighten, and
his heart beat rapidly, but he dared not
indulge his longing for fun, lest some
body should be annoyed, or something
spoiled.
Eddie's is not a solitary case. There
are thousands of boys aching for inno-
cent fun, for whom no provision is made
either at home or abroad, while the
haunts of vice are spreading their allurIng
oil lei,
ing everything bear a roseate hue to en-
tice them in to the ways of sin and
Boys at home are too often
as Il species of outlaws. They
are not expected to be good, gentlemanly,
or kind and their advent within the
doors of home, brings ii frown to the
faces of careful housewives. There is n
and abroad they are continually doing
some mischief, and soon they find that
the world is against them, and they, I'M
derstanding it, take advantage of this i'll
will and apparently resolve to merit the
full amount of opprobrium the world
may choose to bestow. 1t is much easier
even cheaper to provide amusement for
them, and if under the supervision OF
some one who can sympathize with their
sports abroad and every parent should
know that little forethought, and per-
haps expense, will save many an hour of
repning on the part of the boys, and
much anxiety to themselves. Boys love
society; they must hare ii, and provision
should be made for all generous sports
suited to their years. How often have
we heard Eddles complaint repeated
- I've nothing to do" Provide them with
work, but let it he in the society of their
parents or others who may be interested
IN their welfare. Their growing minds
ire open to receive every ray of light
hat falls upon them Boys may be made
selfish and unkind by education, and these
,ftcn plunge into gross excuses when re-
moved from parental restraint. Do not
We cntreat you, dry up the fountains of
owe in their hearts for innocent social
pleasures at home and abroad, but rather
trive 10 furnish the boys with amusement
hat will elevate and instruct them. iIeS-
eyT Rural.
-i.rx- hon bn