The Advance., 1896-02-13
TERMS: so CENTS PER YEAI
A FEW WORDS TO SOME BOYS.

AS SOON as boy begins to think he knows a
little about the trade he is learning at the Re-
form School be wants to 60 home' He thinks
he is competent to set up as journeyman at
mems wages, and imagines that it will be no
trouble for him to Immediately obtain profitable
employment in field where competition is
great and urgent, and where outside candidates
for places are backed up by influential persons.
He forgets that he is reform school boy, with
q cloud hanging over him, and that that is a
great draw. back against his immediate recogni-
ton, no matter how worthy he may noW be-.
He "wants to go home," Notwithstanding the
School authorities know that it is not best nor
safe for him to do so, and that he is great deal
better off in the School than out of it. Often
ne begs to ''go home," when the fact really is
that he has no fit home to go to when he knows,
or ought to know, that his outside friends are
not able to spare single dollar for his sus-
tenance while he is waiting for chance to OBJ
tain job of work that will support him. He
forgets how much trouble he gave them before
ne came to this School, that they still regard
him with fear and trembling, and are not really
as anxious for his return as he is. Undoubtedly
many would be glad to have their boys at home
were they certain that they would not again be
a source of trouble to them and others, but new
ertheless are content to have them remain un-
der restraint until they get older and give evi-
dance of more wisdom than they now do,
and are more perfect in their trade or occupa-
ion than they now possess. While these boys
are not loaded down with luxuries, their friends
know and the School authorities know that they
are not suffering from the want of any of the
necessaries of life; that they are made comfort
able their health and morals looked after care
fally, and that they are acquiring scholastic
aud trade education that will in the end be OF
more real value to them than if they were to GO
out and engage in scramble for existence be-
fore they are really prepared for it. There are
thousands of boys all over the land who would
be happy to enjoy their privileges and advan.
tages, educationally and otherwise aud there
fore our boys would show more wisdom by re-
naming contented with their present situation
and surroundings. until clear way is opened
for them to better themselves outside.
THERE are boys and boys who are not worth
much in this world to themselves or to any one
else. They will be known in the outside world
after they grow up as enc 'er. do-wells," live on
a coarse and irregular diet, wear ragged clothes
sleep in uncomfortable quarters, generally end
their days in the poorhouse, and be buried in
the potters' field among the unknown and for.
gotten. When starting in life they are found
among those who are afraid they will do more
than they are paid for, and wait to be told what
to do, and do only what they are told to do, and
then lounge around for something else to come
to them instead of seeking for it, They are
found among those who keep their eyes upon
their masters or overseers, and notice whether
th6Y are watching them If thew are not then
they may be seen idling away their time, run
ming around the room or doing something they
ought not to do during working hours. They
are those who slight their work, doing just
enough to permit it to escape or pass inspection
taking no pride in having it done quickly OF
we'll, either in strength or looks. The fate ot
such boys can always be surely predicted by
those who know them, and the contemplation
of the formation of these human ruins is indeed
not pleasant. Boys with such habits should
'' right about face' at once!
IF GOVERNOR GRIGGs does not honor himself