Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-08-13
THEY FOUGHT.

Tonight we saw TWO NONN III IIOHl vi
the post-olcc, where loaicrs do often
congrcgate, poundingeach other, appar-
emily TO please q number of idle spec
tators who chccrcd them on. One was
IA bright little fellow not more than
nine years Old. while the other WAS a
boy perhaps three years his senior
A penny was the cause OF the quarrel
Each boy spicd it lying in the street at
the same time. Each rushed for it. The
smallest boy being the sprycst was the
first TO grab H. The larger boy hit him
in the face and proceeded 10 rob him of
the find. The little fellow fought back
as best he could. The clothes of each
were torn: they were each hurt, bruised,
and angered, when man stepped into
the crowd that surrounded them and
parted them.
He took the little one under his pro-
lection and together they went away,
the loafers lamcnting the loss OF what
they called fun.
How much like men boys are, to be
sure The matter ofapcuny will excite
more anger than would suffice to spoil
the day for an entire picuicparty. Par
ents teach their children to fight; TO
stand up for their rights; TO not be run
over; to lose mi eye rather than fail 10
snatch a penny. Thus do the elders
teach the younger and they in turn
teach others.
Would tnot be better to begin at the
other end Of the argument? For parents
to teach thcir children not 10 run over
others; not 10 interfere with the rights
of others; not 10 snap, and snarl. and
growl Whenever a plaything is touched.
Why not teach little ones to be loving
and liberal TO each other? Indeed. il
is more blessed to give than to receive,
for By giving we open the doors OF our
lives 50 good thoughts and liberal
ideas, each bearing good truths, can
! enter.
God never vet sent person to this
world TO quarrel with any other person.
He never gave to any human being a
right TO interfere with the rights OF any
other human being. or TO make another
person miserable. There is nothing OF
christianity or humanity in teaching
! children or men to be bclligcrcnt or in
warning against each other for mater
ial gain.
In our house are two little ones.
They are taught TO love and help each
other; to divide their playthings and 70
each to give way to the other They
spend hours each day in play, in run
ming. romping and rolling over each
other We are never disturbed by the
sharp cries that 60 up so often from
children.
That's minc!' Let that aloneH
"Keep your hands off my things "HC
struck me- well, I'll hit him back!
IL won't be run over etc. etc.
When we come right down 10 the
matter, people assume more right thar
they have The right to dictate, TO com
mand, TO rule Is with rod OF iron; tC
impress by physical strength, rs grca
in the line of our rights. We each have
a right TO sunshine but to drive no ont
away therefrom. Each have a right e
fill our own minds with such loading a
we can carry. but not TO assume tina
we are so much better than others n
to warrant the actual belittlcmcnt o
ourselves
A child can be educated 10 imagin
that all il sees is it, own. That his o
her special mission j. TO pound some
thing into somebody else. To force tn,
flavor of oranges into the cucumber, o
to compel a mind to Go what it will no
do.
We shall meet our children and tn
children of others in the other life
where millions will have to unlcarl
much that has been taught on earth an
where harmony, happiness, heaven, eS
: lists not because we contend for on
rights SO much a because WcNill Their
be taught to recognize the rights {
others. - Brick FomcroJ IN Iomcrog'
Democrat