Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-03-23
How TO Make Boys Stop ut Home.

How to Make Boys Stop at Home.
:" ] wish those boys loved to stay at
home in the evening"" said mother, In
my hearing, last night; and the sigh and
look of distress which accompanied her
words told plainly that her heart was
deeply panied by their oftrepeated absence,
and she watched their retreating footsteps
with troubled countenance, and knew
not what might be the company they
sought, nor what evil influences might be
thrown around them.
They were industrious boys of sixteen
and eighteen, just beginning to fancy
they were too large and too old TO be longer
subject to parental authority. They were
not vicious, or idle, but worked with a
willing hand through the day, doing the
work OF men; but when evening came
they sought pleasures abroad, unmindful
of fathers advice or mothers en-
treaty. l glanced around their home, a
comfortable, farmer-iike dwelling, where
al! the wants of the physical nature were
well supplied, but, as Is too often the
case, the food for the mind was less abun.
dant A few school. books. which the
boys had never learned to love, a Bible,
and hymn book, constituted the family
library; and / was not surprised that
they should leave the circle at home and
seek the cheerful throng that were loung-
ing In the store, or join In the vulgar
mirth and profane jcsts that went round
the boisterous group.
+" You are seeing your happiest days
with your boy" said the mother 10 me,
as my baby chung 10 my arm with the
sweet confidence OF infancy; "you know
nhers he is, and have no anxiety for him
now: but when he is older, he will be be
yond your influence, and go you know
not where"
thought of the old proverb. Train
up child in the way he should go, and
when he Is ola he will not depart from
it," and / shook my head doubtingly,
and said nothing 80. But we cannot ex.
pect children TO be like ourselves--steady,
old and carewern. Fun and frolic are ca.
sentisl TO their happiness. and II Is no in
jury TO any one 10 join heartily In these
sports. Ii we enter into their sports In
childhood, and take the lead of their
pleasures In youth, we shall keep our
own heart young and joyous, make home
the center OF attractions, and while doing
much TO educate their mental faculties,
we shall find far greater satisfaction In
their society than we can possibly find In
the artless trust Of infancy.
A few dollars judiciously expended in
books and engravings suitable for young
children, will do much TO awaken a love
of home; and / venture 10 assert, there Is
nothing which will have stronger infu.
ence in keeping ''these boys" quietly al
home, than 70 cultivate taste for reading.
Begin early. Read to them before they can
read for themselves explain what you read
and encourage them 70 converse with
you about IT, Teach them 10 observe the
common phenomena Of nature, and to
study into the causes which produce the
effects they see A mother may do this
herself, without being philosopher. She
may awaken their curiosity upon the vari.
Gus objects around them, and direct them
where this curiosity may be gratitied,
place within their reach useful and in
structiye books, and show by example as
we'll us by precept that she appreciates
them, and the pleasures OF home will be
purer and sweeter TO every member OF the
family, and the children will seldom have
occasion 10 seek evening amusements
away from the charmed circle Of home.
1t has been truthfully said, ~ good book
Il the best of company" and the earlier
we introduce our children into the society
of good books, the greater will be the benefit
derived from them, and the stronger will
be their attachment 70 the social circle
around the evening fires. and there will
be less danger Of their seeking diversion
in the society of the idle and vicious. But
II you neglect to make home happy, and
70 furnish entertainment for the intellect,
be assured that the restless Gcsire OF the
human mind for some new thing" will
frequently attract those boys" and girls,
too, away from home In search OF amuse-
ment.--Home Magazine. -s .rM
Secretary Bristow does not want TO be
called General earned the tile OF
Colonel, trust, in defending my coun-
try" he said recently, "but never was
a General, and can't see why my friends
who know me better persist in calling
me General When II was suggested
that the General followed from his former
officer OF Solicitor General, he replied
" Ii that argument holds, then We must
be careful To acsost as General every gen.
eral freight agent or general manager OF a
circus in the country. IN. J. EUenirg
Post F IA
AT a New York matinee lately, In O
fashionable theatsr, by actual count, there
were $50 velvet dresses In the orchestra
H. ii