Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-06-21
HliscellanY.
For the Bellows Falls Times.
I'm Nearly Twenty-one-

ia ANNsttty
How many youth is saying to nm
self over again these words. Many a
father to has thought how his son Will
soon leave his roof to battle alone in this
cold world. Very few boys remain at
home to this time, for many reasons,
some have gone because home was I'M
attractive, Sometimes not on account
of external features, but unharmonizing
feelings in the home circle. How many
a youth has gone also, from good infu-
ences at home, into the world of vice
and sin, and not unfrequently been
brought to premature grave by his
wonderings. Oh fathers, who have sons
who have remained at home during their
minority, you know not how many sleep
less hours they have passed thinking OF
their situation in lie as they are about
to verge into manhood. Perhaps they
have been contented at home in the
main, but more often do we find them at
times mourning over some irritating
word given hastily or some disappointed
hope. 1t is a lamentable fact that too
many of our young boys have bad, very
bad habits, and only gaining hold OF
them as they grow up to manhood. Just
think, fathers, and see how many of the
young men of your own vicinity are free
from all of these destructive habits, and
if your son is one, and who now may be
thinking of his twenty first birthday as
drawing near, rejoice for you have
prize but few can boast Of Now as
they approach the dividing line between
ooyhood and manhood show your esteem
and thankfulness by donating something
that will make lasting impression upon
your dear son. Be liberal so far as you
as you have been prospered in these days
God has spared you help and comfort,
and grant him some unexpected enjoy
ment, aud in future time circumstances
may turn against you and you be longing
for the hospitality of such a son. | tell
you, you will be heard. Perhaps you
cannot place him at once in business, |
would not say anything but reason, but
do something as becomes father, in the
circumstances or make him promise of
something to come if you are not ready
to do what you would at the present
time. Some fathers can train young
mind to love the old farm by giving him
a horse or something of this kind, and
let him make bargains, trust him, and
though he lose in his first trade he will
more than repay it in time, and you will
be proud of him as all fathers should be
of a temperate, steady son, but not as
all fathers seem to feel towards their
boys. Now as they are about to assume
new standpoint and new duties, be
careful how you treat them, for many a
father to-day we're it possible, would cali
back his lost son to his home, whose lips
have been blasted by unkind words and
harsh unfatherly treatment. How that
father longs to live his life over again.
We have all been young once. Think
not boy man nor try to fashion his
habits to your boyish customs of half a
century ago. How cheering it is to see
father and son doing business together.
Then take in your son and work each
for the others interests, till life's toll is
ended. At least have a good under
standing and encouraging talk with your
son if it takes all of his last boyhood
birthday. d.