The Washington times., 1919-01-06
Teach the Bow
{ Courage
BY Dr.. w. A. McKeever.

tose sf the nations best-known Sc
Biological wrfterxD
traitS,'' as agreed upon by
hvs hundred young soldiers
In training At one of our can
tonmentA And these points are
certainly worthy of study for the
parent who has . younger boy to
rear.
Cowardice-that stands at the
head Of the list as the most despiC-
able quality. And why? The SOL
der IL engaged in q big enterprise
which demands. first of all, q spIen-
did form OF courage. But whence
comes this admirable quality! And
how can the common parent put
such . great life force into the
character OF the common boy? Let
~ separate this soldier courage
INTO ies component parts:
!. Rugged physical health,
2. Strong, seasoned muscular tiS
sues.
>. The mind set on . great un-
selfish purpose.
L knowledge Of being watched
and estimated by ones fellows.
8. consciousness of some one
back home approving and applaud
ing.
Parent, you will miss . valuable
opportunity IL you fail to observe
this masterful quality Of courage In
eur typical soldier boy and do not
strive for the same trait in the case
q your younger boy.
The nrst point, good health, is
sau. But you must plan for 1t
thoughtfulfy, a. ! have urged be-
fera
The second point, strong muscles
implies regular and vigorous exer-
ezse and should include some kind
sf regular work to suit the age and
the other conditions. Go after this
prtzsd form OF development for
Iour boy. 1t 10 worth the cost
Ths third point Is more difficult,
bat not unattainable. No matter
yst IS to the vocation, but continue
- talk to your boy about making .
bfg life, about throwing himself
With energy into every task that
- assigned him, about the idea that
bs n . tsAmmate with other boys
n holding Up the honor Of his
Ruaity, the future greatness Of his
yvar young son a vision Of his DOS
abis value to humanity.
The fourth point il Of extreme
Importance, although so often over
hooked. For your boy to realize
that he 10 known and watched by
ethers OF his class, that he and
they are together building his rep
ltation. that this estimation which
sthers place on his life Is to be q
distinct help or hindrancs-aIl this
VIII greatly stimulate his courage.
The hfth point, rightly applied.
win put the finishing touch" upon
tks growing courage of your boy.
Il m the morale, as we say, which
makes the true soldier the real
aKhter that he is. And this morale
70 usually traceabls to some subtle
influence back home-the thought
q his parents, the love for his wife
- sweetheart, the steady devotion
Of his friends-conyeyed 70 him
chiefly through his correspondence.
You, dear parent, are the folks
hack home" to your growing boy.
He must know that you will never
setray his confidence. He must
realize, through your repeated re-
minders, that you will be generous
with his faults. that you are con-
fdsnt OF his ability. that you look
forward patiently and yet lovingly
to his coming achievements. that
you visualize him as q splendid
growing young personality.
Thus, that fine courage which the
. young soldier puts At the head OF
the list OF virtues may become q
part Of your home boys character
And now let rs look ahead. Why
did the ave hundred soldiers rank
selfshnsss, stinginess and big
headedness as such desp.cable quai.
tiles? VIII you think out your
ansver for this question while you
anticipate miner