Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-04
TROUBLES OF HIS OWN

In the far northwest section Of the city
thsrs lives sine-looking little lad shout
six or seven PEARS Of age who has caused
hts weIi-to-t1o and most respectable parents
No. end OF worry. He is q sturdy healthy
younketer. clean-limbed and bright mem
tally. and his eyes have most engaging.
although roeuish twinkle. To look at him
In his neat clothes most any one would
say: That's fine little fellow"
He Is. But II one were to hear him give
expression to his feelings In at Of anger
perhaps one would want to change his opin-
Ion. This fine little fellow, although not
more than seven years old, Is almost q past
master in the use OF profanity. While the
son OF excellent people. tho youngster In
b paaa n;cv with other lads n the
swear words. which he uses with almost
as great huency as stevedore.
The child s-lse Of profanity has been
great source of sorrow to his parents, and
especially to his mother. She has tried in
a hundred ways to break him OF the habit:
has talked to him as only a mother can
talk to boy about how bad swearing is,
how wicked, ETC., and has employed every
device she could think of to get him to quit
Not long ago, when the younester was
playing In the yard at home with two of
his young friends. one of them accidentally
struck him ON the head with q stick The
window Of his mothers room was open and
through 1t there hoated q rhythmic success
sion OF 'scuss words" that would have put
the mate OF an oyster boat to shame. The
mother recognized her boys voice, and.
every word stung her to the quick. SHE
hurried to the scene of the profane TRADE
and found her son showering one of his
playmates with blows as well as with un-s
lovely language. He was in yeritable
rage.
She Immediately picked him up and car
ried him to the porch. where he desisted.
Then she gave him a good motherly talk
and finally declared that she could not
have any one about the house who used
profane language. and hence IL she ever
heard of his swearing again he must leave
home.
The lad seemed very much impressed with
the threat and for Several weeks guarded
his tongue with the utmost care. But
finally he fell from grace. His dog had
jumped into and knocked over a little house
Of twigs and vines which he had built and
the lad could not restrain the flow OF 0aths
that tusnbled from his lips. His mother
heard him and called him to her.
You cannot remain here any longer,
she said. II warned you before that we
could not have any one who swears around
this home. and soyou must 30. YOU won
have any home any more. but mist go out
in the world and make your own living.
You won't be good boy. and so you must
60
With that she took him to his room.
packed little satchel with clothes for
him, then led him downstairs and out to
the gate and said goodbye. The little fell
lew was very quiet but he had an album
dance of nerve. He seemed to realize that
he was being turned away from home and
he would have to shift for himself. but he
took his medicine like little man and his
lip never quivered
AZ hope you will learn to be a good boy
and come back to US some day." said the
mother as she babe him farewell: but You
must quit swearing before you can return.
You will have o hard time but since you
will not obey. goodbye.
The lad solemnly said goodbye. and.
with his satchel In his hand. started slowly
off up the street. He walked along with
head back toward his home. After walking
six or seven blocks-his mother watched
him from q concealed spot-the lad finally
sat down on the edge OF the curb to think
matters over. AS he sat there he began to
realize more fully what being adrift In the
world at SO tender an age meant. He re-
fected on his sins and presently ne dropped
his curly little head on his arms between
his knees and began to sob softly. After
a time the mother. whose heart had been
breaking for her boy could stand II no
longer, so she started up the street toward
the lad. She got quite close to him without
his being aware OF her presence But pc
fore she approached the boy gentleman
dressed like minister Of the gospel came
up to the youngster and asked:
MY little man. do you know where Mr..
- liyes?"
His question brought no sign of Nfe from
the lad SO he again addressed him. The
mother was close enough to hear the con-
versation and paused. AS the boy did not
asleep, touched him on the shoulder and
said:
Little boy. do you know where Mr..
- lives?"
face toward the clergyman for a moment
and then In scornful voice replied: