The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-05-04
VOL 30
HOW TO RUIN A BOY.

l do not suppose that there are
many people who are anxious to ruin
their children, either boys or girls
but it has seemed to me that a goodly
number of parents are following the
plan that is likely to lead to that
result. If their aims are intended for
that end, a few points from an observer
may not be amiss. Ist, Commence
early by indulging your boy in every
way that you can. Give him money
to spend without calling him to
account as to what disposition he has
made of it. Allow him to spend most
of his idle time in the street, without
regard to the kind of company he gets
into. He may get with some who are
playing cards or some other innocent
amusement, and it would be rather
embarrassing to him if you inquire too
closely as to how he spends his time.
and, Showby your own actions that
you have no regard for the Sabbath
day, other than to cease from your
usual daily toll. Spend the day in
visiting or in entertaining visitors
Allow your boy the same privilege,
or, if he prefers, to spend his time at
playing ball, or gathering wild fruit.
Tell him at times to be sure not to
get into any mischief. To tell him
this will not likely check his down
ward course, but it will help to ease
your own conscience. You can oc
casionally go to church If you feel
like doing so, and the weather is fair.
You can tell your boy, that it would
be very proper for him to go to church
or Sabbath school. Tell him that it
would perhaps be better if he would
go to church at times than to be
running about the streets. If this
advice is given in a mild way it will
not affect the boy, but it will ease
your own conscience, and moderate
the sting of self.reproach, if your boy
IS ruined, by remembering that you
advised different course of action.
If the above style is followed until the
boy is fifteen years of age you may
regard it as rather an unusual thing
if he is not ruined. But if such is not
the case, you need not be discouraged /;
your boy is still young and may yet
be allured to the downward path.
3rd. Increase the allowance of
spending money and send him to the
village post-otfice to spend the evening,
or to some street corner where loafers
do mostly congregate. Tell him not
to remain late, but give him a night
key in order that he can get in with
out disturbing the rest of the family
in case he gets belated. He will un-
doubtedly understand that move. If
he remains very late, and finally
comes home having his breath scented
with bad cigars and worse whiskey,
do not be too harsh with him, rem
ember that you were once young and
did not always walk the strait and
narrow path. IT your boy is of a
moral turn of mind, and does not
readily take to haunts of vice, send
him to the church festival. know Of
no place so we'll calculated to turn
swell meanen boy from the path
OF duty and rectitude as the church
festival. 1t has always looked to me
like futile effort to serve God and
mammon. 1t las been my opinion,
that where the finances of the church
and Sabbath school are kept up by
means of festivals, the devil need not
give himself ary uneasiness about his
interests in that part OF his diocese.
Yours Truly, c.