The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-10-09
THE CALL OF THE BOY

" al tHS HHtSlSStiiiS ACTIVITIES OF Notary, B0Ns
Work is one OF the most appealing. 1t has such
an attraction that II causes men go out of their
way in making organized efforts to help needy and
under privileged boys The basic reason for this
urge which comes every man is response to an
instinct that is in every human beingthe instinct to
love and protect
1t makes YOU want to supply some of the .thngs
that have been sadly lacking in the lives of these
boys-boys who have not been favored by fortune
who are handicapped physically--who have never
experienced the companionslnp OF one whom they
truthfuly call "Dad"---or who have never ex.
perenced the supreme love OF one who bends over
the bed at night and with loving hands tucks in
the covers and gives good night kiss" You may
call this sentiment, what you will. but the
fact remains that the desire or instinct to love and
protect, remains the impelling motive for interest
in boys work.
You sitting before sumptuous dinner in a
restaurant You glance up and see boys shin
ing nose pressed against the window Hunger is
written on his face. Instnctively you want to
erase that hungry look-you want to do that thing
that will transform his face into smiles.
1t is instinct with YOU You don't reason for
instance. that you to help him because YOU
want to make him better citizen--although that
may eventually be one OF the results OF your inter
est in him.
God help the miserable man who has become
callous that he does not instincvelv respond to
the appeal OF boy
During the month OF October. Rotary Clubs will
hold meetings emphasizing one particular phase OF
boys work. II is phase that should appeal to every
Roaran. What could be more important than the
program that the Boys Work Committee has pre-.
pared for this month"; program which will review
the work that has been done in the back-toschoo
campaigns during the early part OF this year and
which will contemplate future activities
1t is easy for the boy TO be lured from school by
tempting wages. 1t is hard for the other boy to sit
in school when he sees his chum making money and
apparently forging ahead OF him. 1t is Difficult,
to make boy realize that hard study now will
provide him with the steam that will later put him
far ahead in the race.
1t is great work this instilling into the boy
the desire to make good-in the school room--on
the athletic field-in his own home And in all the
JOY OF your work don't forget the old provcrbial say
ing Boys are boys and boys employ themselves
with boyish matters Talk to the boys in their own
language.
The general program contempates the closest CO.
operation with local schoo-board officials il pro-
vdes for practical talks by Rotarians on the value OF
an education; likewise it suggests personal letters
to boys; in fact the committee has worked out
comprehensive and practical program and every
Rotarian should get in touch with his boys work
committee and help in this campaign.
If you will put enthusiasm into this work, you
will be rewarded many times over in the Joy and
pleasure of the labor and in the memories that will
come back to you:
OFT, in the Silly night
Ere slumbers chain has bound me-
Fond memory brings the light
OF other days around me;
The smiles and tears
OF boyhood's years"
The Rotarian.