St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1881-09-17
Courage and Rpck.eSS0pSs.


The habit OF daring each other into
difficult and sometimes dangerou:
things is very common among hildreI
and even those OF larger growth The
practice often leads to the commission
of foolish acts which serve no good
purpose, and disregard of danger
which is often mistaken for COURAGE,
but in reality is nothing but reckless
ness. The child who will not take a
dare is considered as wanting in cour-
age, but in reality he may possess more
OF the real article than those who thus
accuse him.
] he boy who will rush in front of a
train OF cars to rescue q child in danger
displays courage, While the practice Of
ten INDUCED in by boys OF running in
front OF a moving train to see who
dares come the nearest is simple
reckleSsne,s. SO in swimming or bath
ing, boys will venture beyond their
depth, each one ambitious to do some
thing more daring than his companion.
They may do this nne hundred and
ninety-nine times in safety, and the one
thousandth we hear of a sad accident
whereby some one is killed or drowned.
The greater part OF the accidents so
| constantly occurring are due to care
lessness which is reck, essness. 1t is Il
fact that familiarity with danger causes
one to become almost insensibIe to it.
The business of coupling cars is one of
the most dangerous in which men en-
gage, and one in which many accidents
occur But where shall we look for
those who are thus unfortunate? Natu
rally we would say among the new and
inexperienced operators. The contrary
will be found to be true. Almost every
accident of the kind will be found to
happen to some old and experienced
operator. BY constant exposure to
danger they become reckless and forget
that it still exists, while those not SO
familiar with the business realize the
necessity Of precaution, and do not for
get to take it. The newsboys OF the
cities are another class who become
reckless from being in danger. A short
time ago one of these little fellows, in
jumping off a street Car, did not notice
wagon coming down by the side of
the car, by which, being unable to stop
quickly enough, the boy was run over
and killed We witnessed what came
very near being a similar occurrence a
few nights since. The circumstances
were the same, but the horse fortunate
ly was stopped i'll season to save the
boy from anything more serious than
being knocked down.
Much OF the uneasiness felt by moth
ers On seeing their children start off
upon the cars for q picnic, and their
timidity in allowing them upon the
water, would be alIayed if they could
feel sure that the children would OBJ.
serve the necessary precautions, and
not become reckless. Children. to be
sure. cannot always remember and
should not be trusted alone, but when
we see those of larger growth, who
shouldfset better example, disregard
lng thUcommonest rules of safety. we
cannot wonder that accidentsaoccur
How otten may be seen party of young
people lf' small sboat, some standing
up, others rocGing the boat with their
weight. Whehaan accident happens to
s s'a d. party it isesehnasural result to
We are exposed t6ft-s,ser every DAYS
Of our lives, and to expr So arselye.-so
it unnecessarily is reckless anu wicked
Children should be taugki that not to
do some foolish or. dangerous act, when
they are dared to do it. is 900 eo;yardice
bGt prudence, and will not prevent the
exhibition OF courage when there is oc-
casion for tt Western Rural