The Washington times., 1894-04-01
Aunt EmiIy's Idea -

Everything is done for the girls these days,
and it has occurred to me that a little Of this
interest might be devoted to considering the
welfare of the boy. As a boy is, so will the
man be-a grown up boz in more senses than
one.
How many boys are terror to their family,
II not to the whole neighborhood; that is,
when they are not started right! There arc
some boys. very, very select few-possibly
born to be great-who are wise beyond their
years, thoughtful, studious, who never need
guiding. Possibly there is one such in
century.
That is not the boy am speaking out for.
My kind of boy is full of mischievous pranks-
They are never still, nor are they bit like
boys one reads of in the Sunday-school
books. They have been known to pull the
cats tail on the sly to pinch corner OH OF
mothers newly-baked cake because IL srnelt
SO good. and they have been very human, IN
deed with their fun. These are good Tor
practical jokes until they learn better, hring
them off at random, exasperatlng the one
made game of. until he is ready 10 thrash the
perpetrator soundly. But such boy always
lives TO run away, to come back again another
day.
These bows of mine are full Of animal
spirits. which they do not know how to con-
troll. They are rough out of doors; are
little awkward within the house. What shall
one do with them, these good-natured, ,.rollick-
ing boys? Why not deal with them as we do
with our girls?
Make il pleasant for them at home. Do not
drive them out of doors because they happen
,,.I, in, lnrfI IOfxr
Gently check them, but do not treat those
little faults OF youth and an exuberant ami
nal existence as though they We're defects OF
morals.
gentle hand. sympathizing manner. will
60 n great way with the youngsters. This
kind of boy can be led either by his mother
or sister where nobody could drive him.
Gain his confidence, and you will soon have
won his affections. Encourage him to bring
his friends home. You always provide for
your girls some little treat of confectionery
when they have company. Do as much for
your boys comfort.
Every boy should have his own room, even
If it Is ever so small. There let him keep
his boyish belongings. his pictures of horses
and athletes, his tools, guns, swords, kites
or anything that he considers peculiarly his
own. Make that room as comfortable for
your boy as You do your girls room for her.
He will appreciate it,
II your boy has to share his room with a
brother. insist only on one thing-that it shall
be equally divided between them; and let
them do that themselves Above all things,
don't you, oh, careful mother and dainty
housewife. get into a Fit OF cleaning up
everything and either throw away or burn
up "a lot OF this boYish trash without con-
sulting him unless you want TO break his
1.lE heart
his nome forever.
Boys have feelings rights, and they should
have also privileges in every home and feel
that there. at least, somebody is proud OF
them. even if they are not promising geniuses.
Nobody but fool these days ever thinks of
breaking child's WILL much less boys.
Break his will! Why strong will is the best
thing about boy ii he once knows how to
use it.
Train up a will the way it should go
and when the boy is old he will not de-
part from it. ought TO be the new formula for
trimming a boy. boys will is to be the
foundation stone OF his character in life. II
your boy ever amounts to anything. it will be
because he has will enough to carry out his
best intentions. will enough to climb 10 the
height of his ambition. will enough to say
mo decidedly. will enough to say '.yeS, l
VIII when he meets an obstacle that must
either overcome him or he overcome it.
Ii your boy has a strong will. thank God for
it, and seek wisdom to train it so it shall be
his strong tower in time of temptation, his
promise OF success when failure seems imni-
nent.
Don't ever accuse your boy of lying merely
because some situation seems to be little
unaccountable. Through distrust in him or
his integrity you may make him fall into
deceit. Trust him. and if he prevaricates
a Tr&t, l..11l
boys affection and lead him with it,
But what of fathers? They are often rough
and harsh with the boys irritated by their
pranEs. OF course they are; and they too
often seem 10 forget that one example. like
themselves, for good or bad, has more influ-
ence over boys character than all other
influences! Sometimes a mothers good influ-
cnce is utterly thwarted. Tor the time at least
by the stronger one of the father, who uncon-
sciousiy poses as his boys ideal OF maniiness.
Don't be too solicitous about your boys fu-
ture. You do not have to decide upon that
for him beforehand He ought to have a lit
tie liberty OF choice. And when boy chooses
trade or handicraft in preference to your
choice of q profession his choice may be the
w.sest of the two and lead to the best results
in the end. A successful craftsman. skilled
mechanic, an artisan. is twice as useful a
citizen and ofttimes much happier than a
poorly-equipped professional man, waiting for
something to turn uD, with neither energy
nor ability to do that turning" himself.
Alischieyous boys often develop into the
brighter men. Many boy who has stolen
Il watermelon for the mere fun and excite
Inent OF having the dog chase him over the
fence, and not because he really wanted it,
has turned ont TO be an honest citizen.
Laugh with your boy. don't laugh at him.
That will not irritate him, and often it helps
him TO see things in the right light better
than a talking to. 1t is something like call
ing ourselves names for ones grown up mis-
taxes One does not enjoy it when other
people blame US. but we could bear to have
them join the laugh with us over them when
We own upl
When a boy cannot go home and tell about
himself for fear OF the consequences he is
shut out from an influence for good. from
wholesome council which may mar life
time. Love and cherish your boy and make
him feel that YOU think as much of him and
his comfort as you do Of his sisters. and all
viii be we'll with him and not hard Tor you
his mother. There is no influence in the |
world that comes back to a boy through his
manhood with such sweet restraining power |
rs the remembrance of the love OF his dear, |
good mother. VINO may have been asleep for
many year, but who still lives in bis heart |
Of hearts the one woman without fault.
phase of the woman question as yet |
scarcely touched upon is the one most closely |
related 10 domestic comfort, or, had better |
say. domestic discomfort. since the greater
part OF womans trials in housekeeping |
come through the kitchen. The universal
complaint Is, we pay enough for good service
and generally get nothing. or anything, for
our money.
There are some things to be said on both
Eal.u LII. IL.