Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-24
INGERsOLL's SYSTEM.
A Fond Father Tess the COIOnsPs
Theory Of Training up a Child.
Evening Journal,l


Colonel Ingersoll says he keeps a
pocketbook in an open drawer, and
his children go and help themselves to
money whenever they want it. They
eat when they want to; they may
sleep all day if they choose, and sit up
all night if they desire. l don'ttry to
eoeree them. never punish; never
scold, They buy their own clothes
and are masters of themselves"
A gentleman living on State street,
who has a boy that is full as kitteny
as his father, read the article and pom
dered deeply. He knew that Colonel
lngersoll was a success in raising
children in the way they should 60,
and he thought he would try it. The
boy had caused him considerable an
noyance, and be made up his mind
that he had not treated the boy right,
so he called the boy from the street,
where he was putting soft soap on a
lamp-pOst in order to see the lamp.
lighter climb it, and said to him
My son, | have decided to adopt a
different course with you. Heretofore
/ have been careful about giving you
money, and have wanted to know
where every cent went to, and my SUI
pervision has no doubt been annoying
to you. Now, | am going to leave my
pocketbook in the bureau drawer, with
plenty of money in it, and you are al
liberty to use all you want without
asking me. | want you to buy any.
thing you desire, buyyour own clothes
and to feel as though the money wa
yours, and that you had not got to &C.
count for it. Just make yourself al
home now and try and have a gooC
time"
The boy looked atthe old gentleman
put his hand on his head, as though
he had got EN- sure" and went GU
to see the lamp-lighter climb that sof
soap. The next day the stern paren
went out into the country shooting
and returned on the midnight trail
three days later. He opened the doc
with a latch-key, and a strange yelloy
dog grabbed him by the elbow of tn
pants, and took him, he said, lik
the agur."
The dog barked and chewed unit
the son came down in his night-shir
and called him off. He told his fathe
he had bought that dog of a fireman
for 81, and it was probably the bes
dog bargain that had been made thi
season. He said the fireman told hir
he could find a man that wanted tina
kind of a dog.
The parent took of his pants, tina
the dog had not removed. and in tn
hall he stumbled over a birch-bark ca
noe the boy bought of an Indian 70
50, and an army musket with an iro
ramrOd fell down from the corner
The boy paid Sc for that. He ha
also bought himself an Overcoat wit
a seal-skin collar and cuffs, and CON
plete outfit of calico shirts and silk
stockings.
In his room the parents found tn
marble top ola soda fountain. a whee'
/, barrow and shelf filled with all kind
Of canned meat, preserves and crack
ers, and a barrel of apples. A wa
/ tent and six pairs Of blankets wei
! rolled up ready for cemping OUT an
] a buckskin shirt and a pair {
e corduroy pants lay on the bed read
/, for pulling on. Six FISH poles and
E basketful of fish lines were ready {,
= business, and an oyster-can full
e grubWOrms for bait were squirming {
= the wash stand. The old gentlems
!. looked the layout over, looked at h
: pocket-book in the bureau drawer,
t empty as a contribution box, al
said:
: Young man, the times have be-
d too flush. We will now return to
specie basis. When you want mon
come to me and / will give you
nickle, and you will tell me what y
y intend TO buy with it, orIll warm 70
You hear mel
ri And now that man stands arouI
= from the effects Of the encounter wi
"a the yellow dog, and asks every IN.
where a letter will reach Bob Ing
soil. He says he will kill I~ngersoll
II it is the last noble act he ever accoi
IS plishes.