Daily Kennebec journal., 1896-06-29

BY BETH YEvOH.

Why is the moral training of ou
boys, in the world at large NOR
liberal than that4of our girls? Why i
it that an impure thought or expires
sion in a boy is excused, when th
same thought or expression comm;
from the lips of a girl is met witt
serious disapproval? Why is it tha
boys are taught that what is unseeml,
in themselves?
I asked one good Christian mother
second time to consider these question;
with me, and she answered, why ruI
yourself against the thorns and woun,
your flesh, when your entire life sacri
feed on this point will make II,
change? Boys will be boys, yol
know
The same old answer. 1t seems t,
me that women do not try to make al
effort to shield in any manner tht
young lives of their sons, and that il
the eyes and hearts of an unthinkins
world, there is little help to stay tn.
boy and to keep him pure in hear,
and soul, until he reaches manhood.
What would | do? | am asked -.
would choose my boys associates as :.
would his books-ah. there is afS,tha,,
point yes. choose his books: lec then
be the best, the very best Giverth1
young child the works OF our -bcs
authors. and instead OF hours spent ol
the street. give him the pleasure
your own society. either in a pleasan
walk or car ride, if one can not affor,
a carriage. or a quiet evening in tn
home. With an hour in general conveI
sation. reading or harmless games
possible, give him a corner of his owl
where he can put away his treasures
allow him to have his companions
whom you know to be suitable for hir
to associate with, to come into hi
home; put the thoughts of your per
Sonal comfort and quiet aside some
times, and exchange thoughts ant
IDEAS with these same boys. remem
bering that they need the encourage
rrent of wise mothers and fathers
Give them the company of the sweet I
minded girl one who is the tru,
daughter of the true mother; she vii
bring into his life the harmonizing in
fllence which does not come to him frof
his mother. To her he owes respect anes
courtesyr but the gentle girl will teac'
by her presence the true politenes
ard courtesy with which he must NEE
women when be has passed to tn
state of manhood
AS the shipbuldcT builds his vesse
staunch, that it may withstand tn
fierce waves and billows of the grea
@ca. and carry its precious. freigh
safely from shore to shore. soyTywoult
build or mold the character ofsthe bo
from his cradle, that he might pe sue
4 bulwark Of moral strength, that tn
tresidc of his neighbor Would b
as sacred to him as his own.
[ would give my boy for a motto
Touch not. taste not. handle not
that which does not belong to you
regret to say that l have know
parents to cheat in many small {?
ways. and boast of it before their chil
drcn. One example comes very strong
ly before me. A very young an,
beautiful woman wed a handsom
artist for his face alone; they wer
constantly on the wing, as numerou
artists are. and large family Of boy
We're given them.
When the children We're old enough
10 enter their fathers studio, the,
were taught the management of th
and the father would leave hi
studio with one of the young sons, and
With the others, go out upon the roads
attending county fairs, etc
This father had many opportunities
o cheat the honest and unsophisticate ed
armers, and he never missed a chance.
ie taught his sons the art of cheating
III 4 small sca.y. rs we'll as the art of
he camera, ana upon his return to the
BOSOM of his family would rehearse
he exploits of petty fraud before his |
,entle wife and the smaller boys 1t is
leedless to say that she was shocked.
,ut she was too gentle to overcome
he dishonest influence of her husband
The sons, when grown to manhood. |
lever did anything so very terrible, |
'et they never hesitated to touch, |
aste, and handle all that came within |
heir reach. whether it We're their own
II their neighbOrs. The honest mother |
lement was not strong enough to
verbalance that of the conscienceless
ather's principle. They were men
With whom | would trust ffeither my
'urse nor my daughter.
On the other hand / know a boy who
vas taught to handle not that which
vas rot legally and lawfully his own.
This man never for one moment forgot
lis early training, and has the true
principle of right and honor in him.
The old adage, "As the twig is bent.
o is the tree Inclined" is true for
'oys and girls as well as twigs.
Washington, d. c.