The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-12-14

4
After having been carefully cbser-
vant Tor months ~ the boys in our
neighhorhood. We have come 20 the
sorrowful conclusion that they do not
enjoy pleasures such as were ours
In our youthful days Their interests.
20 far a. we have been able 20 discover,
are llmiie 20 three occupations:
kicking a football. rolling mare les and
squabbllrg Now we do not object 70
any ~ those pastimes. each o. them
has is uses IN the small boys life.
What We bowau is the monotony. the
restricted mental fields into which
these empioyments carry the boys OF
our acquaintance How little oppor-
tunity for youthful invention. magma
ton. ambition
This situation lmpresses Va AZ
matter % some concern. 40 we have
be sais ana 0s snap Mpf marbl1a uFoasku ae ne
out vision or enthusiasm for more
ambitious and mind developing
amuacmentsf
a. near ~ we can determine. after
studying the problem, Il r. because
az a lack ~ barns
eanstderf What would our own
youth have been without barnsG Re-
move the sanctuary q the barn from
our past and memory would be
hllahted thing indeed
our barn was the world 20 ua and
contained az our vii All tho Joys and
cities and yasty plains. storm tortured
seas and desert isles could hold forth.
safe from the uncomprchending eyes
~ critical grown-up persons. we be-
came acrohats and hung by our heels
from precarious ladders and learned
70 stand on our heads and walk %
our hands and chin ourselves: betlmes
We removed the numerous athletic
equipment and with the aid % torn
beaqults and ragged p0rtieres. broken
| chairs and tables. xe produced stage
whereon, decked In the finery 81 the
I rag hax ana the old clothes closet,
We rxatcd up and down a. lofty he
/ roea with magnificent rolling tones
1 and sweeping gestures. or orept ~
black -browed Williams with wicked
/ eyes ana dastardiy designs. Marvel
/ Gus flights % the maginationi A.
/ founding eloquencei II was not
/ merely a mercenary enterprise. rot
even a penny apiece admission. Tor ev-
cry KID wanted @ play a part TIE
/ klnr'a rstainerm nnd the Villains 50.
complies were many and talented.
Where but IN the shelter OF the barr
/ particular type Of monopiane. and oul
windmill arrangement 20 saw wood
and our wonderful private desk with
secret drawersf
Where but in tho coxnmodious barr
would we have raised and educated
our family Of dogs. parrots. guine'
pigs. bantam chickens. turtles. white
mice and crows7
Where bat IN the sacred fastnes'
81 the barn would we have laid forti
argumentativeiy TO cur cronies ca
budding philosophy % life. our iarg
| political opinions. our high ideals o
playing fair mad standing BY one an
other and scorning the girls7
Anywhere save IN the barn. agitate'
female persons would have shriekel
at us aa we hung by our heels an
practiced complicated fiipflops an'
We never would have developed muscl
20 chin ourselves a dozen times o
more.
Anywhere save IN the barn, our hi
larious and hrass-hearted relative
would have rolled and howlod Wit
mirth a. our stage paraphernalia an
eloquence. We should theroupon hav
died 81 a horrid comb nation Of ange
and humiliation.
Anywhere save in tho barn. 90
, unappreciative parents would hav
whaeked up our ingenious invention
ard considered them better for kind
ling wood than for aught else
Anywhere save IN the barn. on
, precious dumb family would have bee
trodden ON. Whitfield ard consigned
y tragic fates. We should have no mem
: cries - gentle. eager eyes that watch
b "a as friendly moist noses that pushe
= eonfidingly into our hands. voices ths
+ greeted US with Joyous barks an
. saueals
Anywhere save 81 the barn. y