Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1901-190?, 1902-11-21
OUR BOYS.
le Welfare of Future Generations
1Depends Upon the Proper Train
! ing Of the Youth of Today


Except as duty calls, but being out,
hhy senses are accute, and alb
ePrb readily what see and hear.
IS Recently, passing along the
IL reets of Anadarko, about mid
oIght, it was with a keen sense of
ahin that | saw a considerable
Company of boys, ranging in age
apparently, from 8 years up to
south and young manhood, in
reid glee and frolic, in, and in
sont of several of the saloons of
ehe city. Going in and out with
one crowd in wild excitment over
ne election returns, these boys
'ere being, at that time of night,
hucated in a school that makes
sRady material for the Criminal
stourts in the near future. AS
yaassed along and looked down
aAe future for these boys, | felt
en- impulse to appeal to parents
r5 keep their boys at home at
light, unless they are out under
dure and proper guardianship.
s Night is the sea son of crime,
end every evil influence, like the
teast of,prey, creeps forth under
zs shadows to ensnare its victims
rnd to devour its prey. The sus-
septible boy, quick to respond,
eecomes a ready victim to the
tIubtle influence and glittering
ebrms of vice. The boy who
pams at will from home at night,
omes to quick maturity in init
bacy with evil, and his life in
host cases goes out in darkness.
Many a home has been made
rlesolate and the light and grace
\ it put out by wayward son,
issipated and besotted. One,
bo, who might have been an or
lament to society, an honor to
Eod, and blessing to humanity,
lad he not been left to roam at
light upon the streets at his own
fweet will. Look at this picture
II home full of light and love,
bade all the brighter by the
presence of great, growing,
pving boy. No boy had kinder
ather, gentler mother, or purer,
lweeter sisters, and there was not
p be found in all the place, a boy
f brighter eye, braver heart, OF
Inanlier spirit. Of tender age, he
ret enjoys place of confidence
nd trust. Night after night in
he home circle, all goes well, and
be is found happy in his place
But by laXity of parental authori
~ giving loose reins, suddenly a
hange comes, and the boy falls
Without the charmed circle. He
falls away from sisters sweet
taress, from a mothers halloweo
Influence, from a fathers kindly
counsel. Night after night finds
him away from home. Home has
become dull and insipid, he seek:
excitment, he must have it. He
has become master of his nights
And yet he means no harm
They never do. Night follows
hight and the anxious watchers
with tear stained cheeks waiting
through the long hours but "h'
cometh not" One by one tht
roses wither from his cheeks, dol
ar by dollar his pocket growi
lighter, friend by friend drops
rom his side. Being master o
his nights, the night with its three
enticements, the wine glass, th'
dice box, and the strange woman
become master of him. A mothe
sorrows and prays, a sister weep
and pleads, father warns anc
entreats. The dice box rattles
the wine glass clinks, the strang
woman laughs. The infatuatiol
of death has put its spell upol
him. Down to dissipation, dow
to disgrace, down to darkness
down to death, and he so younl
and so fair. Out where the dais
Ies drink the dew drops, out wher
the song bird tunes his throat, ou