Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1923-12-01
WHAT IS A BOY SCOUT?

This Question Answered In The Para
graphs Below, And Published So
That All May know What This Or
Ganization Stands For And Is Do
ing For The Boys Of America.
A Scout! He enjoys hike through
the woods more than he does walk
over the city's streets. He can tell
North or South from the moss that
grows on trees, and East and West
by the shadows that trunks and
branches cast. When matches are
forgotten he laughs and proceeds to
kindle a fire by rubbing two sticks
together, or by striking steel or
flint. The fire once started, what a
breakfast, dinner or supper he can
prepare out there in the open. Does
he enjoy the meal? Just watch him
and compare his appetite with that of
boy who lounges at a lunch counter
in a crowded city.
A scout does not run away or call
for help when an accident occurs. He
devotes all his strength and energy
to assisting those who are in need.
If a person has been cut the scout uses
his first aid knowledge in stopping
the flow Of blood, and gently and
carefully binding up the wound; then,
if necessary, he seeks other assist
ance. If a person has been burned,
the scouts knowledge tells him how
to alleviate the suffering. If anyone
should be dragged from the water I'M
conscious, a scout at once sets to
work to restore respiration and cir
culation. He knows that not a min
ute can be lost.
A scout can talk to a brother with
out making a sound, by signalling
with flags; or by tapping on a log he
cam initiate the click of a telegraph
key, and in either manner he can spell
out words and sentences.
A scout can tie a knot that will
hold, he can climb a tree the ascent
of which seems impossible to others,
he can swim a river, he can patch a
tent, he can mend tear in his trous-
ers, he can tell you what weeds are
poisonous and what are not, he can
sight nut-bearing trees from dis
lance; he can reef sail and take his
trick at the wheel, and can pull an
oar or use paddles and sculls; he
knows the stars by name and can
find his way by them; he can iden-
tify birds and animals and fish and
knows the ways and habitat Of each.
A scout is kind to everything that
lives. He knows that horses, dogs and
cats have their rights and he re-
spects them. A scout prides himself
upon doing kind deeds and no day in
his life is complete unless he has been
of aid to some person. A scout is
quick of eye, quick Of hearing, and his
muscles are we'll developed. In other
words, scout is natural, and the bet
ter the scout the farther he is from
the artificial.
A scout never uses alcoholic liquors
because he does not wish to poison his
body; he desires clear, active brain.
and so he avoids tobacco. He never
swears, because swearing is a sign Of
weakness, as we'll as being sacrileg-
ious.
Every Scout, when he enters the
movement take the Scout oath, which
is as follows:
On my honor I will do my best:
To do my duty to God and my coun-
try, and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake and morally straight.
The motto of the Boy Scouts is BE
PREPARED, which means that the
scout is always in a state Of readi-
ness in mind and body to do his duty
and meet any emergency.
There have always been certain