New-York tribune., 1902-01-19

were the one thing needed to melt the cold hearts
OF the clouds, this country would regularly be
buried deep in by the day after Christmas.
Nor do the boys alone cherish these high hopes
There are girls In these new days. who prefer
sCds 10 dolls. but most Of them prefer both. Nor
do they want the ignomnious fancy sleigh with a
seat and high front with gay tasses on il. Only
babies in arms who cannot voice their prefer
ences, consent 20 be tamey hauled around in these
luxurious conveyanccs. Usually a girl gets sled
less SNOWY than her brothers, set high above the
runners. with footboard. She gets II. and re-
bells at IL, and points out its Inferior construction
and perhaps by the next year attains the desire
of her heart-a long. low. rakish craft. built for
speed.
Nor is coastng the only uncertain JOY of the
snowy season, hedged about with conditions and
prohibitions and punishments. What of the clothes
lines that vanish when the boy he would a-hitching
go? Long lengths OF 1t, yards long, are hacked OFF
by dull jackknives. sometimes even bitten off by
the sharp second teeth of determined youngsters
Trousers pockets have these boys but OF the sort
that refuse retain knives other treasures
scattering them abroad TO eager but ungratefu
world The cord IS cut. prying adult eyes are
lodged Monday is days off, and-Hi, There
goes splendid hitch, Down the street. fat
his stomach. his view limited to yellow snow rap
idly dancing past, except when he lifts his head
turtlewise and blinks the four hoofs OF the
horse in front throwing wads OF snow him; with
legs loosely dragging kicking in ecstasy there
goes the darling Of our hearts absurd sno-
mnious, uneconomiCal, but hllssfuiiy bliss
fully happy,
Tomorrow he is snowballng, and In
plastered with circles OF solid snow from head
foot His face Is crimson-it has received an un-
common number of washings In the snowdrifts this
day. There is nothing left of his Christmas nit
tens but little OF the wrists; his fingers are like
scarlet icicles. No; he isn't cold. he insists and
his feet aren't wet. and he won't be fused with.
He is going out to make some bully icebals. The
other fellows using them-why not he? He
has some fine balls ready under the front steps.
He will pour water them. and by tomorrow,
after they are frozen. he will have weapons indeed
IF you are such terms with him that hx
confdes these plans to you. you a wise mother
and may, perhaps. be able TO save him from break
ing sonic boys jaw tomorrow with those deadly
missiles of mis-. lceoals the thugs of the
winter world, intent not upon play hut upon muir
der. boy might well huFl bowIders at his
foes these hard and dangerous things. Good
sport vanfshes where they appear. and malice and
cowardice and pain follow their flight like sneak
ing devils
'If. feeling this, you yourself to help your
boy to avoid the evil and choose the good of all
this gay. frosty fun of his. you ignore such minor
points as mittens supplying new meadng
old ones without too many remarks You resign
yourself to mourning the expense of extra
ctotheshne or two year. You buy shoes for
the boy, even II doing entails fewer kid gloves
TOR yourself. You do what YOU can uno"r-