Milford chronicle., 1902-09-05
An Address to the Boys and Girls Of
Milford.

an AuuNosa u the boys ana Urls OF
Milford.
Well, well how time does fly Next
Monday school begins. You are nearly
as anxious to get to your books and
studies as you were to lay them down
three months ago. You feel rested, and
you want to see the new teacher, to get
the new books, to try the new room
and seats. 1 believe, too, from what I
know of boys and girls, that you are
determined te make good records for
yourselves this year. You all know
the value Of school and how important
it is that you improve your opportuni-
ties. But like many grown people who
know very well what they should do,
some Of you find trouble in doing it.
It is to help just such boys and girls,
that I want to give you few direc-
tions.
Every boy and girl ought to bring to
school on the first morning three things
The first is clean hands and face, and
neatly combed hair. How can the
teacher be interested in a boy or girl
who does not take enough interest in
himself to keep himself neat and clean?
The second is a kindly greeting for
the teacher. l do not think any boy
or girl can look his teacher in the face
and wish her 'good morning." and
then try to make her bad morning
by sneaky actions and unruly behav-
ior. 1t makes the teacher feel better
and more like working, too.
The third is determination to do
well. You all ought to want to be at
the head ofthe class. Not all can lead,
but the boy or girl who is at the head,
should have an awful time staying
there. Then have always noticed,
that the boy or girl who is trying to be
at the head, is never found at the foot
There are three "Be's" that I want
you to notice carefully and take to
school with you They are honey
"Be's, but they do not sting and they
will surely make your school room a
hive. The first is, "Be punctual. This
means not only to be at school on time,
but in school promptly when the bell
rings.
! used to pick out and know the boys
last winter that dawdled along behind
at recess and the noon hour. The habit
of hardness will cling TO them through
life, and success will be forfeited for it.
Even in the school room I have seen
the teacher have to giveIhe signal for
class two or three times on account Of
few slow ones. Punctuality includes
also the matter of regular attendance.
1t is the first day missed that makes
the others easy to miss, and it will take
but few days absence to spoil your
whole winters work.
The second is, "Be polite" This
involves more than merely saying yes
ma'am," and mo ma'am,n But it
means to to regulate your conduct as
not to annoy your teacher or others
who wish to work.
The third is double "Be, . the most
important one of all A "Be" that
makes honey constantly, but never
makes any noise. 1t is "Be busy. y
Give me the boy or girl that works hard
and plays hard, for they are the ones
that count not only in school, but in
after life, but he who mixes his play
with his work spoils both.
School days are very short when you
look back. Twelve years carry the
boy or girl through all our schools I'M
til he is ready for college. They may
be compared to twelve blocks that
form the foundation for his future life.
If the work is well done, he can build
successfully. If any blocks are miss
ing, or the work is imperfectly done, it
will give way and his best efforts will
only throw him in the mire of failure.
There is an old Greek legend that
tells Of Fortunata's purse that was al
ways open and always full of money.
What boy or girl of Milford would not
like to own this purse? Yet you all
may. Fortunata's purse grew on the
topmost bough of the Tree Of Knowl-
edge. But where can the Tree OF
knowledge be better found than right
here in the schools Of Milford So next
Monday let every boy aud girl start ia
school with the determination to CLINT
this Tree of knowledge, and rest as
sured that you will find on it not only
Fortunats's purse, but things that are
infinitely better than money.
JOHN ID. BROOKS.