Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1885-12-23
Lecture 10 Boys,

Bro. Kephart, editor Of the Miller
Press, reads q very kind and sensi-
bic lecture to the boys Of his town.
We have . fair lot Of good sensible
boys in Elk Point, and it may
do them good to read Bro. Kephart's
lecture, 30 here it is:
"The Press wants to be a friend of
the boys-we NEAR especially boys
Of that age, ranging from IA to Is
years. We have been a boy Of that
age once and will never forget how
self important, how much the world
was indebted to lis for being one of
it's Inhabitants. The occasion OF
these remarks is the report of some
Of our boys about town having in a
secluded way been educating them
selves in the manly art Of drinking
whiskey, playing poker for money,
and Of course chewing and smoking
tobacco. Now we do not suppose
for q minute that these boys will
stop the business for anything we
may say, but they would get real
mad if we should say they were bor-
dering on insanity. Well are you
not forming habits that will wreck
you physically, degrade you morally
and discourage any manly ambition
that you may naturally possess?
But you say, "See here old dufer.
slack up on your music, amt all
the men about town doing the same
thing?" To q kid that would be ar
eternal squelcher. But q kid will
find az he becomes older-and all
kids do-that such argument is ter
ribly silly. Suppose you take the
pains to inquire Of any poker player
i he is proud Of his profession and
if he will advise you to learn the
Same business. There is not one on
earth but would earnestly and can-
didly tell you never to bet q cent on
cards. Ask any ma that is in the
habit OF drinking or getting full"-
step right up and ask him If he
would advise you to do the same
thing, you would receive q reply in
the MIGHT'VE every time. We are
taking for granted we are talking to
boys Of pretty good sensa-not half
witted fellows, that void think q
little Bit on this matter. Ofcourse
some will be s'too smart and will
not read what older ones consider
to their advantage.
A boy never car know how it
"breaks up the old woman" 70 know
Of her sons inclination TO bad habits.
Boys, do you know that no matter
how miserable and low down a
wretch you may become, guilty Of
the worst crimes on the calendar,
you have one friend who has a tear
Of forgiveness in her eye, who is the
only one on earth who can see all
the good there is in you and none of
the bad; who when all others have
deserted you, will throw her arms
around your neck and forgive all?
It 10 the same "old woman"-your
mother. Isn't it q mean thing to do
TO drink, carouse, he a bully, play
and SO on contrary to her
wishes? Isn't it better to be a man
than to be q fool. Another pointer,
and We will shut up. Every
man on earth is dependent directly
on other men for his living. If you
are in business you must depend on
other men 10 trade with il you sue
ceed. or you may be in the employ
) fsome man. Your customers may
b addicted to drinking and gam
bling, or your employer may be ad-
10 drinking and gambling,
but If you are addicted TO the same
they will not excuse you be-
cause they have Them"
We open this morning our second
Of ladies and misses cloaks,
atest styles and lowest prices.
REfsGn ~ RrNcSpvn