The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-03-20
A Perfect knowledge OF
Chronic Diseases is Alb
solutely Necessary Be-
fore They Can Be Treat
ed Intelligently.

they make of their boy a dependent be-
ing who, accustomed to support, fails
when the time comes to stand alone. Cen
orally, however, the parents that
there shall be no necessity to stand alone
by providing enough of this worlds goods
for this worlds abode. The great French
economist, Yves Guyot, says that one of
the greatest curses to France is the pro-
lection given by parents to their children.
But the small boy in France has some
excellent qualities, and in many respects
is far superior to his transatlantic con-
temporary He is above all obedient a
virtue seemingly denied or scorned by a
large part of American youths. 1t is
rarely necessary to tell him twice to do
thing.
Then he is always all that can be de-
sired as regards politeness and respect.
He never says, Say, you, there!' or
Cit off the EARTH" or Yep" nor does
he scream from the basement to the attic
or from one room to another. He speaks
only when spoked to. 1t is always, mo,
SIR or Yes, sir; always a Thank
you" for the most trivial favor; and as
for lifting his hat or cap, 1t may be
enough to say that his father does so
even to gentlemen friends and acquaint-
ances. On the other side of the Atlantic
he might be referred to as "sentimen-
tai prig," or even Sissy: still. it is only
fair to say that Sissy" never comes
home from school with black eye, or
mud despatched trousers. or all the but
tons off his clothes or his hair full of
chewing gum. He leaves home tidy in
the morning. and in the evening returns
in the same condition.
In his studies he far outclasses the
American. He Is quick to learn, and in
many cases at 16 years of age. and even
IA, speaks English fiuently. He is never
seemingly intent over his geography
while dreaming of the time when he will
become the champion baseball pitcher or
world renowned halfback He becomes
almost as familiar with the historical
events of his country as his teacher and
no boy in the world loves his country
and the tri-colored flag more.
The American youngster upon acquaint-
ance with his French fellow might come
to regard him as tiled to his mothers
apron strings" and. though that may
not be altogether without some semblance
of truth, it nevertheless has its advant-
ages A home-loving boy Is not a street
loafer. I have lived in Rouen for nearly
four years and have been in many of the
cities of France. but | have yet to see
French boys loafing on corners or in any
way idling away their time in public
places The poorer boys. for the lack OF
a garden or court, sometimes play In the
streets. but it is near their own doors
and within call of their mothers.
The proverbial economy of the French
has its birth almost In the cradle. A
boys financial knowledge begins by learn
Ing that "a penny saved is a penny
made" One cent is as valuable to him
as nickel to the average American boy.
Sweets and toys are loved az dearly, but
the pennies are put carefully away, and
If the mouth waters IT generally waters
unsatisfied, A week after the Christmas
holidays somewhere in a toy bank per-
haps hid deep down In the little French
mans trunk. are several bright silver
sometimes gold. pieces. while the Amer
lean youth in too many cases has left
only a few peanut hulls. exploded fire.
crackers and a toy locomotive with the
wheels off.