Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1905-09-20
A friend is not afraid to tell n


truth, though now and then it NAV
wound another. Still, it is not neces.
sary to be officious. II In your pres
ence one Of your schoolmates, boy OF
girl, should say something unkind
about the absent, it would be an easy
thing for you to show your displeas
u:e. You would not need say a word: :
q look would be enough. Sometimes
the refusal to smile at a Jest which
takes liberty with something yam -
spect, as, for example, grave look
IL there is profanity in your presence,
will put an end to 1t. I am persuaded
that the habit Of cigarette smoking,
which we all deptore in boys, would
vanish from the face of the earth IL
the girls would only show by look and
word that they disapproved it, and
would not have cigarette smokers num-
bered among their boy friends.
There are great many things which
boys and girls may do together. In
the department of nature study this is
peculiarly true. Excursions to study
birds or find flowers. involving tramps
through the fields, or mountain climb
ing, are doubly pleasant If party OF
young people go in company.
To add zest to such study every one
must be enthusiastic. There is no
room for the lad who is bored or the
girl who lags behind and takes little
interest. Girls are as able to endure
fatigue and take whatever comes in
the way Of hardship as boys. If they
are properly dressed for their expedi-
tions Only a silly girl sets out for a
mountain climb or a walk across coun-
try dressed in organdie or lawn, with
floating ribbons, with a picture hat and
tight shoes. The girl who is a good
comrade wears loose, easy fitting cos
tunes for out-of-doors, has no float
ing tags or ends, has a cap or sailor
hat, and wears shoes with broad soles
and low heels properly adjusted to her
feet.
Tennis, basket ball and golf are
games that boys and girls may play,
with no odds on either side, but with
no end OF fun. For the rougher games,
such as football and baseball girls ara
content to assume the role OF spscta-
tors They know the points OF the
game, and their sympathy cheers the
players, while they are proud to wear
the colors of those whom they favor.
| wish could make you see friend
ship as it looks to me. II Is not q
mere pleasure of the moment. 1t Is
not enjoyment only. 1t is chance
to help somebody who needs help, a
chance to make this old world a
brighter place. We get from it what
we give. II we are selfish and unwill-
ing to make a sacrifice, we shall never
be friends in the best sense.
Perhaps | oan illustrate what mean.
You have just seated yourself with a
book that you have been trying 20
read, and for which you have had no
leisure. You have reached the most
exciting part Of the story. In comes
your brother with q request that you
win mend a rip in his glove, or in
walks a neighbor who is a rather dull
and stupid boy. II is a test Of your
amiability and altruism, whether you
care more for your own pleasure, or
for the brother and the brothers
friend. These little things. mere trihes
apparently, show character. Through
out life there are chances for thou
sand petty self-denials. Some Of them
make the difference between being
friendly and being selfish. Friendship
never thriyes in the soil of selnshness.