Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-09-15
A LETTER TO A SCHOOL BOY.
by X. d. II. THOMPSON.


Spring GREEN, Wis, April B, lSSs.
My DEAR NEpHEw:-I have intended 10
write you ever since you left home for
school. wish to give you u few thoughts
and some advice in regard to your lil. away
from home, which my age and experience
warrant me in doing, think, and which l
am very sure You will receive kindly.
Many winters have whitened he locks once
as brown as yours. Trials and care have
plouglled deep burrows in n face once as
smooth and rosy as your own. Time aud
work have bowed the frame once ns erect
and elastic as yours. But the heart, my
boy, Is as young and warm to-day Ms the
heart that beats in the breast of the boy
who bounded from his parents gate, with
mothers kiss upon his lips .nd fathers
blessing iu his heart, a few weeks sioce,
swallowing the tears that would come ('and
what so bitter AZ swallowed tearv') even
In the face of the bright prospects before
him. Some OF the rough places in life's
pathway have been able TO pass over with
ltet toOule nave hMih-
died to mole hills, Ms l have approached
them-the problems, seemingly so difficult
have become insignificant when attacked
with determination to conquer.
In my fathers home, L remember two
notices on the wall-"Duty is joy" "To
be good is TO be hnppy"-which If we can
weave into our lives will not only make
them successful here, but in the world 10
come. But to return to the boy who left
home for school that bright sunny morn.
ing. Your parents, wishing you TO have
better opportunities than those afforded in
| this little village, consented that you should
leave them, reluctantly, however, on nc
count Of your extreme youth, dreading to
have you AWAY from home influences, bu;
they and we all trust to your honor and
mnnliness, knowing you desire to build up
mn upright, noble character. But, my boy,
there will many temptations cometo you
which, If yielded TO, will tear down more
than can be rebuilt in years, the resistance
OF which will give you added strength
Be manly in the school-r0om and ON the
j play ground. Be studious, be obedient, be
truthful, be obliging, he gentle, he kind
IN word, be n gentleman, und yon will gan
the respect and love of your tencher nnt
fellow students. Never shirk dmry re-
member that joy folIows the perfornanct
OF it. You will doubtless hear impure and
proiane words ON The play ground. Lt
none stain your lips wet with mother
kiss. Let no impure thoughts find place
in your heart.
Spend yonr evenings at home. Many ,
boy has taken the irsl steps in downwar,
course on the street /; "for Satan finds soln'
mischief still for idle hands to do" Ther,
, are saloons in the town to which you hnv,
gone, licensed by law to do their work o
, death! 1t seems cruel, but they 1re ther
: to ruin you, my boy--io ruin you, body an,
sou!--to bienk your mothers heari-t
bring dawn your fathers "grny hair in sor
row to the grave"-yes, TO make yonr gol
, den. haired sisler the sister of n drnakdrd
You may think it folly for Inc to warn 20,
OF these dens Of iniqnity, but you are no
too young To be enliced into ways Of evil
not Too ynung TO look upon those places, u
least, and 40 become familiar with scene
now 80 revolving TO you. And again, yo
are not too yOnng TO resist temptation am
exert an influence for Temperance. RI
member your pledge. Induce all you
boy and girl ncqnainlances To sign th
pledge and work lor Temperance, and til
town which now has 20 many saloons ma
be helped by your efforts to gel rid OF tles
: fearful dens OF darkness and death.
Ask Gods blessing on NIL yon undertake
and your old uncle will never have caus
TO be ashamed Of you.
Your atfeciionate nncle,
WILLIAM III. PORTER.