Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-07-17
4 Small Victim.

AMONG Dickens many pictures of
social wrong may be found one of very
small boy, the nurse and brother of
very large baby. 1T was very Moloch
of baby, on whose insatiate altar the
whole existence of this particular young
brother was offered up daily sacrifice,
Wherever childhood cOngregated to play,
there was little Moloch making Johnny
fag and toll Wherever Johnny desired
to stay little Moloch became fractions
and would not remain. Whenever Johnny
wanted to go out Moloch was asleep and
must be watched. Whenever Johnny
wanted to stay at home Moloch was
awake and must be taken OUT NOwon-
der, when the spirit of the haunted man
possessed Johnny, he wanted to run away
and Join the army, where babies are not
Baby-tending is not the only shrine at
which small boys are sacrificed. The po-
sition of errand drudge is not an enviable
one, especially in large families, and yet
Johnny, by force of circumstances, is
often compelled to accept it. If anything
is wanted downstairs, Johnny must bring
it down, or if upstairs, he must bring it
up. If anything is wanted from out
doors, Johnny must bring it in, or from
indoors, he must take it out The de-
mands made upon Johnny are marvellous; ;
and it is remarkable how busy or tired
other members of the family are when
anything is wanted requiring physical ex-
ertion. 1t is, Johnny, run to the gar
den, the neighbor's, the market" until
no wonder the poor little fellow when
sent for starch brings back spice.
If anything goes wrong, Johnny must
bear the burden of blame. :" l told him
to get more, or less;" or, "Johnny, Itold
you So" until the discouraged little vic
tim begins to regard life as fraud, and
thinks, like Toby Week, that he must
have been born bad.
And what is Johnnys reward for all
this self-immolation? The preoccupied
father lends only passing thought to the
shy boy, who has outgrOwn the art of at
tracing his attention by cunning tricks of
babyhood. The busy mother perhaps re-
CARDS Johnnys welfare as depending on
a satisfied appetite and a replenished
wardrobe. Docs it ever occur to the col
lege-wise brother that small boys are
morbidly fond of pennies, and, possibly,
Johnny might appreciate an occasional
dOnation2 Does the conscience of the
fair young lady sister ever reproach her
for sighting Johnnys opinions, requests
or preferences?
Johnny was enjoying stray crumb OF
leisure in looking at some pictorial illus
tr.tions. Happening upon one he did not
quite understand, he pleasantly asked,
"Sister please tell me about it?"
Ask Aunt Mary" was the reply.
" She is not here"
"Well, 60 away! don't bother me; I'm
busy tatting and don't know anything
about your picture"
She did know all about it, but ignored
the pleading voice and eyes. For what
Tottinp-o hit of WORTHLESS thread-WOrk
If Johnny's rights are to be disregardec
and his Efforts undervalued, his friend;
need not be surprised to find him becom
ing stupid, awkward and indifferent
Nothing lessons the friction of human eX
istence more than appreciation and en-
Couragement. If Johnny must be thu
family resource for errands, let him a
least understand that his position is hon
ored and respected ChriStidR Union.