Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-12-04
For the VERMONT FARMER.
REPLY TO AWKWARD BOYS"

An article signed Awkward Boy" re-
minds one of story often told of the man
who went to arrest an Irishman in the act
of cruelty beating his wife. As soon as she
recovered from the heavy blows just dealt
her, she proceeded to tear out the hair of
the man who came to her rescue. When,
in an unguarded moment, ventured to say
a word in behalf of those "awkward boys"
they rise up, Several at time) and chal-
lenge me to prove my statements. That is
a little too bad 1 think, and revengeful
person might be inclined to "turn the ia
bes;" but as enc, at least, seems to be an
earnest searcher after the true cause of his
awkwardness, perhaps l can assist
him in no other way than by men,
tioning few things that have
come under my observation. But as his
parents are kind and indulgent, and his sis.
ter shares her Strawberries and other "good-
les" with him in a sisterly manner, and still
he persists in being awkward, it may be
easier to discover the effect than the cause.
l know of one young man who has a mother,
that thinks him much wiser, and far better
looking than any other young man of her
acquaintance. He has one sister, but he
does not deign to notice her often. 1t would
be beneath his dignity to be polite to his
sister He takes his meals at all hours of
the day. but seldom with the family. He
comes down to the breakfast room yawning,
minus coat, vest, and collar, and without
noticing any member Of the family takes his
place at the table. His breakfast is usual.
ly taken from the oven for him, and if he is
remarkably good natured is eaten in silence;
but voc to the servant if it does not suit
When he is out in company, or his moth
ers friends come to visit her, this same
young man is very awkward indeed.
think the cause of his awkwardness is
this: he does not think it worth while to be
polite to his mother and sister, and only
makes the attempt when some one elses
mother or sister compes him to do 50. This
is not an imaginary young man either, and
| am inclined to believe there are others
that might be benefited by practicing polite
ness at home. 1t is one of the many things
that pays" as John b. Cough would say.
1t pays in more ways than one would think.
1t gains for you the respect of your friends,
| L. 80 Nkn @, tlty nd aAI Do oh 10
your own self respect. The servants will
appreciate it, and will 60 about the house
with much happier faces. Besides it is con-
tagious. If you are kind to others, and OK =
ert yourself to make them happy, they will
have some interest in your happiness. We
are all selfish mortals, and it is seldom that
you can find person who returns smiles for
frowns.
Still insist that many Of the small
things that constitute "awkwardness" might
be corrected in early life, with proper train.
ing. Ii little boys were taught TO be Just as
polite to their mammas as they are to stran.
gers, we should not be SO often shocked at
their bad ways. Some children when at
home call loudly for things in tone of
command, but if they 60 to a neighbors and
call for the same thing in soft voice aud
prefix "please" they are thought to be
very nice children. Some boys would think
it very impOite to allow young lady friend
to climb into the carriage alone; but it
never occurs to them that their sister is a
lady, too. You may think that such little
things are of no account, but those very it,
lie things are the index of much larger
faults. The stagger betrays drunkard,
} footprints often betray a thief, and it is an
{ old adage that "Straws tell which way the
wind blows"
; A FARMERS Daughter.