Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-19

| out boy few years older, the principal
says:
How'd you like 10 be monitor of these
boys and show them how to play ring
toss?"
"All right" smiles the boy, his eyes glist-
Then form them in single file, march
them over to the rings and see that they
all stand on the line when they toss and
that they take turns"
yes. SIR Then: Hey, you kids, git
inter line-See?"
Easy easy cautions the principal, stop
ping his task of selecting a monitor to ex-
ercise the second youngest group on the
horse. Did 1 speak that way to you?
Wasn't I polite to you? Well, 1 want you
to be polite to these little boys
Yes, SIR contritely. Then: Come on,
fellers, git in line, and We'll have heaps of
fun tossing
A third group is told off to the rings; the
biggest boys for game of basket ball.
One group is left. You boys can take the
swings
Instantly there is as wild a scurrying OF
feet as seventy healthy boys could possibly
make, and the next moment lively free
ror-an scramble for possession Of the
swings. The monitor of the group sue
ceeds in Strengthening out the boys without
having to call in more mature assistance;
and the principal is free to begin his rounds
OF instructlng the various groups exercis-
Ing with the gymnasium apparatus.
He goes first to the boys seated on the
ground while waiting their turns at the
horse. He shows the monitor how to take
them over on one hand, and he is about to
develop another exercise when he catches
sight.of one of the larger boys monopoliz-
ing the travelling rings.
Look here. John, thought 1 told you
to take the swings" he calls out. These
rings are for the little boys"
John smiles sheepishly drops to the
ground and scoots for a swing yelling to
distract attention from his rebuke perhaps.
little later, as he is holding up a partlcu
larly stumpy boy to within reaching dis
tance of the rings, the corners of the
principals eyes tell him that the monitor
or the ring tossers and one of his small
but plucky charges are having 1t out hot
and heavy" Despite the monitors protes-
tation that "he wouldn't stand back O. the
line when l told him to dozen times"
the monitor is straightway reduced to the
ranks and sent to the swings, where he is
later cautioned to stop yelling at the girls
when his swing, on the upward movement
brings them into view seated at their game;
of authors, dominoes, history and all the
other wel-known card games of childhood
The principal Is all over the lot during
exercise lasts. He cautions, instructs,
praises, straightens out tangles. wipes away
tears that will steal to diminutive faces
when their owners meet with unavoidable
tumbles. reforms the lines again and again.
keeps the groups distinct and prevents min
Cling. and fathers the youngsters in numer-
Gus other ways.
Taking a Rest.
At PAS the principals whistle sounds
again: he takes his stand In a shaded cor
ner of the lot, and thence troop all the
boys. those from the swings moving re-
luctantly.
Now, boys he begins, when they have
become comparatively settled for the rest
period of fifteen minutes, what would you
like me to talk to you about this after
noon?''
Basket ball.' yells one enthusiast, who
has got all skinned from falling on the
asphalt court.
.'Indians Buffalo Bil.' (The principal
tries hard to conceal a smile, not of duty
this time, but of real pleasure-perhaps or
reminiscent pleasure.)
"Swimming- sings out two or three
voices
Well says the principal. Il guess l
won't tell you boys how to swim-I guess
you all know how to do that
You bet yer,'' in mighty chorus
But let me say that If l were you boys
l would be very careful about going In
swimming In any of the dangerous places.
You know where they are; you've all told
me about them and you know q lot of boys
have been drowned there this summer.
There are plenty of places where you can
go In swimming without any danger I'd
swim in those places II l were you. You
see your fathers and mothers don't want
YOU to get drowned, and / don't, either.
don't want to lose any of you boys just as
I'm beginning to make fine athletes OF you.
Il guess you understand what / mean
and l know you'll be careful II you don't
forget pronounced snickers.) Now I'll tell
YOU about basket ball" And then follows
a brief and entertaining talk on the evolu-
ton of the game.
The principal frequently utilities the rest
period to give his boys some much needed
instruction in manners and conduct toward
one another. But he puts II in such way
that he gains undivided attention. 1t Is not
breath thrown away.
Mr. Man." chirped little girl. Juggling
! at the principals coat not long ago. Mr..
Man. my brother he says you say 1t amt
right for a boy to tease girls and slap 'em,
and he amt done that to me since you
told him 1t was wrong. Thank you, MIR.
Man"
These talks are often the only sympa-
thetic guidance that many children who fire.
quent summer Fairgrounds receive on many
matters. The child who goes to a play
ground Is usually locked out of its home
Immediately after breakfast. when the par
ents start for work. 1t is given a penny or