Evening star., 1928-05-21
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES +. TRACEWELL.

This is great STUFF for the chill
dren, although often enough 1t is
pretty tough on the neighbors
It is marvellous. the way the kids
both boys and girls, learn to take care
of themselves. Considering the free
dom with which they are allowed to
play together in the streets, small
percentage is hurt in traffic accidents.
About the one and only rule the
modern family imposes on the little
ones is to keep out of the street"
Motor cars are the demons of the
childhood of today.
upbringing is that the young genera
ton ought to contain the most capa-
bic men and women the world has ever
seen. They should possess the smallest
number Of inferiority CompleXes. They
should have less resistance to offer
themselves, more push and go to offer
the world
These things must be proved. Of
course. Time alone viii tell. In pass
ing. let us say that these boys and
girls in the majority of cases will have
to do pretty well to equal their fathers
and mothers.
Now, having patted everybody on the
shoulder, let's get down to the heart Of
the question
If you want to get child to keep off
your terrace. you are wasting your time
in appealing to the police tsee letter
above) or in rushing out the front door
believing harsh words of command.
These kids don't command worth a
cent.
The thing to do is to get them COM
ing your way. We know tomboy girl
who bade fair to ruin every terrace in
the neighbOrhood until she was allowed
TO SOW grass seed.
Then, as the necessities of plant
growth were pointed out to her, trans
formation was wrought
She had helped plant the seedl
With even more interest than that of
her friend. the neighbor, che watched
for the first appearance of the tiny
blades. She did yeoman service in
chasing bad boys" away, even threat
ening to cut ones ears off with a pair
of pruning shears.
Plant lice being explained to her, she
excelleL the owner in detecting these
pests on roSebushes. Thus by what
might be termed subtle tndirection she
was directed along the right path.
A small boy Of 5 years who has baby
sister was terrace offender until shown
the baby grass" coming up. After
that no one was more jealous In pro-
tecting it. He happened to be child
who was fiattered by the attention of
grown ups"
The Spring base ball season may be
turned to account In more ways than
one. In a neighborhood boasting many
boys various teams of juniors" were
formed.
One bright lad conceived the idea OF
going from house to house to take up
collections, and this speedily led to an
epidemic Of such requests. The wise
householder co-operated for all he was
worth. handing out coins and praise
equally.
Sure he wanted to help the teamI
Didn't he belong to such a team him
self once upon time? But now he
was growing older and he had a new
game-that OF keeping his lawn and
terrace looking nice.
He knew he could depend upon the
co cooperation of his various young
friends. could he not?
Yes, sirl" beamed the boys.
They meant 1t. too. Treat the kids
square The chances are decidedly that
your investment will be profitable one
This procedure is not always easy.
Often IL Is as good training for the
householder as 1t Is for the children.
but always 1t Is good practice and plain
common sense. securing results where
no amount OF formal lectures would.