Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1872-10-04
''I Want TO," and "I Don't Want
TO.c

think these words are most common
| ly heard from that class of boys who may
be called whining boys"
That they want thing is with them
quite good reason why they should have
it. They have not the least idea that the
world is full of other people.
Their own wants are to them such great
matters that they think that everything
else should give way, and they are greatly
surprised when they find that II want to"
does not strike some one else as quite
good reason.
Peter wants to learn to swim. His
elder brother, who had promised to take
him, is suddenly called away, and the
pleasure must be put off,
But, oh, what a sad house Peter does
make 1t is of no use to try and divert
him. He will not be diverted. He
wants to go by himself He has never
been in the water, and the thing is not
to be thought of. His mother tells him
that he would be risking his life. Peter
hangs his head and his under lip, and an
swers, in tone between whine and
snarl, "No, shouldn't
He will not do nything else or go any
where else. He hangs about the room,
throws himself down on the sofa, and
leases after this fashion II want to-"
"But you can't, Peter. It's impossi-
ble."
"Why?" And oh, with what whine
the words come out! And so, perhaps,
it goes on for an hour or two, Peter al
ways ending with, "Well, want to-"
/ certainly think the whining boy"
ought never to have anything he whines
for. 1t is most unmanly habit. 1t is
bad enough in little child, but in a
great boy of twelve it is simply absurd.
Of course those boys who think II
want to" good reason for doing any
thing also think 81 don't want to" good
reason for leaving it undone. They
"don't want to" go after the cows; they
"don't want to" feed the horse; they
"don't want to" 90 to market-in short,
they don't want to do anything that re-
quires the least effort, and does not tend
directly to their own pleasure.
To be sure, they expect to be called
when tea is ready. They like milk when
some one else brings home the cows, and
they are fond of riding ,the horse which
they are too lazy to feed and of course
thew expect their share of what comes
from the market.
1t is said that people should train up
their children to be helpful and unseltish.
So they should; but the truth is, children
must do something toward training them
selves. A mother who has the whole
work of family on her hands cannot
always spend half or a quarter OF an
hour to have contest or a treason" with
a headstrong, lazy boy. If he "will not
know" and "will not consider" if he
will do nothing that he "does not want
to-" he will surely come to harm. When
he goes out into the world, he will learn,
-, III, Ior ho, hot
no one can do all he wants to, or leave
undone those things which he don't want
to. .a.
One boy in a Sunday School class
"wants" some sort Of book, he does not
exactly know what, only that 1t is not
among those offered him for choice. He
"don't want" this, and he ''don't want"
that, but he does want his teacher to
spend his time to please him. 1t makes
him feel himself of importance to have
lady or gentleman waiting on his whims.
If were this boys teacher, fear l
should not be so patient; l think should
give him certain time to please himself
with book, and if he did not do it then
he would go home without one.
wonder if any boy who reads this
paper ever thinks how much pains and
expense and time are given to provide
him with Sunday School books Agood
many dollars are spent in buying them.
Then they must be covered and taken
care of, and the librarian is at his post,
rain or shine. The books must be often
renewed. And all this is done that the
children may have something to read.
wonder how many Sunday School
scholars give thought OF gratitude to
the givers of their weekly pleasures9
Many of those who get books at Sunday
School would never get them in any
other way, and yet I have sometimes
seen more than one of those very boys
behave as though in coming to the school
they were doing the teachers a 1ayor,
whereas it was their place to be thankful
and grateful.
Learn from what has been said to be
contented, cheerful and obedient. Do all
YOU can tc please others, and in SO doing
you will promote your own peace and
good. .-CtSldrer1's Hour. -e