The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-05-10
RUNAWAY BOYS.

You find the daily papers full of
notices about runaway boys. There
seems to be an epidemic on that line.
1t is dangerous sign of the times we
live in. While some boys may sow
wild oats and come out into straight
paths afterward, the chances are that
runaway boys will be fatally scared in
mind, body and estate, and the scars
are bound to stay after such wounds
are burnt into the soul Of a young
man or boy.
And, oh! what trouble these runa
way boys infic, on the mothers at
home. tbs a cruel thing to thus in
Aict the faithful mother, who still
loves the wandcrer 10 matter where
he goes.
If there is boy who has an idea Of
running away from his parents, and
he should happen TO read this article,
! beg him to think Of his mother be.
fore he breaks her heart, and brings
down upon himself the curse that
will follow such cruelty to her, who
would perhaps lie 20 save him to
honor, clean living and integrity Of
character, if she could make the sacri
fee. A few days ago was an invol-
untary listener to conversation be-
tween father Who was seeking a
runaway youth and gentleman whom
he was also asking to aid him in the
search Poor man! There were tear 8
in his voice that made me understand
how deeply he was grievcd by his
son 8 departure, and l would also un-
derstand the grief in that forsaken
homc-,hc mothers agony and appre
hansion and the slccplcss nights and
anxious days that were hers!
Oh, boys. if you intend to 60 away,
try to give your mother some informa-
tion which will case this dreadful,
carking care! There is no grief like a
mothers grief for an erring child, and
it will rob her Of sleep, Of appetite
and Of comfort in her surroundings.
She will walk in vain show when
her mind is SO distraught and anxious
about her absent child.
She will think of thousand dread
full things (maybc all worse than the
reality, and it is pitiful to put such
burden on her loving heart when the
boy can drop her hint as TO his in
tentons or his whereabouts so easily
by Litter Of explanation.
Sometimes l wish there was law
to prevent the sale and distribution of
exciting books that tell the exploits
Of runaway youths. 1t is SO easy to
excite feelings of envy and longing
for something different from the plain
everyday but safe surroundings Of a
good boy. Tales of wild adventure
are like intoxicants to the brain.
Maybe there is not scintilla Of fact
in those wild adventurous novels;
but they will do their deadly work
and wreck the boys future if he de.
clines to heed his parents advice, and
iings himself on the world of chance.
They are almost certain to lead to
something that is evil and dangerous.
Boys should understand that wild
escapades always bring discrcdit in q
greater or less degree. 1t is hard to
live down wild antics where disobe
dience Of parents is also involved
When people disappear without ex
plenation, suspicion is aroused, either
as to foul play or misconduct-gen
orally the latter.
OF course, accidents will happen
sometimes that are not explainable u,
first, but well-meaniDg loy will has
sen to make things clear, and try tc
soften anxiety.
Sometimes there is indeed, error
misconduct, bad things to be repented
OF, but the common sense Of the situ
alton is to 60 home, confess the faul,
ana let the loving parents aid the re-
pentant child to bring matters straigh,
again.
It is manly, boys, to confess faul,
when convinced Of error. 1t makes
matters smooth all at once. Hadn',
you better throw your difficulties or
those who are praying for you. ago
nizing over you, and loving you with