Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-04-10
WHAT TOBACCO WILL DO FOR A BOY.


a fond mothers smile and caressed the
golden curls OF her four year old SOB.
"A good man, 1 hope" was the ans.
wer, and the fair little face looked up
into the mothers eyes quite seriously
and then turned toward the lady visi.
tor. me must be berry good, 'tause
mamma's dot only n of me-"
The lady visitor went away thinking
what a good beginning that young
mother was making. Her home was
in the far West. 1t would be years be.
fore she would see mother and child
again, and she pictured in her mind
the noble young man the child would
grow to be.
The mother did try to make a good
man of her boy, and she began by try
ing to make a good boy Of him.
pity fire; MT do it," little Franklin
often said, pickering his baby lips in
proud imitation of his father while he
watched him smoking his cigar.
His father shook his head and said
mo. no, it's not good for little boys"
and the pretty mother laughed, it was
80 cunning of Franklin.
Oh, the passing years, they sped by
30 quickly. Such a very short time it
seemed when the baby Franklin step.
ped out of kits and began to go to
school with his book and slate. Such
a brave, bright little man, and he learn.
ed so fast. His was a sturdy little soul
in a stout little boy.
One day Franklin came home weak
and pale and alarmed his mother. She
ran over the list of children 3 diseases,
for Franklin certainly was looming
down" with something.
What is it, dear; how do you feel?n
she questioned as she fastened to him.
She stopped abruptly to kiss his lips,
and her own cheeks grew white. She
had smelled tobacco on his breath and
about his clothing. He reluctantly
confessed that a boy had given him q
cigarette and had told him that smok-
was great fun after you got used to
it." They had gone behind a shed and
smoked, and the boy had said Frank
lin must not tell his mother, Cranky
mothers always spoil a feller's fun"
Don't you ever smoke another ci.
garette, T" said his mother land don't
you ever do a thing that boy tells you
must be kept a secret from your
mother"
Papa smokes" said Frank. II
want to do like papa"
but he's a man tobacco ism t good
for little boys"
Franklin's father came home that
night quite out of temper. "Those
temperance folks are always stirring
up some sort of a breeze" he said knit.
ting his brows and looking over Frank.
Inns head; "if it isn't one thing it is an
other"
The mother looked across the table,
with a sympathetic face. And what
is it now?" Franklin was busy with
his supper and seemed absorbed with
his glass of milk.
"Oh, it's tobacco this time. 1 have
been interviewed this afternoon by
two of them"
Mrs. Melvin looked at her husband
thoughtfully. How disagreeable,
DEAR" she said at length did they
tell you that you ought to save the
amount that you spend for cigars and
send it to the home for inebriates OF
the heathen?"
mo, they gave me some scientific
temperance instruction , told me tina,
tobacco was undermining my consti
tuition; that it began with my grand
father and increased with every n
alton"
whats generation ?" inquired
Frank.
well, )" answered the father, II an
one and you are another"
Now turning to his wifel look at oul
boy, where will you find a boy as 70
bust as Franklin? He has outstrippet
all his classmates. Tobacco does mo-
seem to effect his brain. or body.
Franklin recalling the condition Of
his brain and body that afternoon
colored and shrank back.
Mrs. Melvin still looked thoughtfully
"Grandpa Melvin had a wonderful con
stitution, but you are not as strong a
he was, and Franklin is less robus
than you"
THAT is a natural result" answered
Mr.. Melvin a little impatiently, "chil
dren inherit from both sides of tn,
family, you know. II l had any all
ment these temperance cranks woult
say tobacco caused it."
Mrs. Melvin's face lighted. She ha,
great faith in her husband's knowledg,
of things in general and in particular
They wanted me to sign a petition,
continued Mr.. Melvin. "They are try
ing to make scientific temperance in
struction one of the school studies. IT.
all fol de rol. l don't want my boy
head stuffed with such nonsense a
they have put into their books, and
certainly shall not vote for it or sigl
any petition for It."
Frank vas listening atteDtively. Thi
hour was, though not one Of the tire
dreamed Of such a possibility, a turn
inn noinf In h;a lifo Thia waa 4h