The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1938-10-06
FAIR PLAY
CORA M. SILVIUS

AS l approach the house where I
share a room with friend, | heard
animated voices. A number of women
were talking, and they seemed to be
much annoyed. AS | entered the hall,
Mrs. Martin was saying, at just
proves that no child can be expected
to show gratitude for anything a par
ent may do"
These mothers and their children
were all so well known to me, stop
ped. In a moment | understood what
it was all about. | listened patiently
hoping the mothers would feel better
once they had voiced their irritation,
for | wanted them to be willing to
listen to me, and | was an outsider.
picked up the field glass and
looked toward the ball field. The
smaller boys Of the neighborhood had
been banded together into a baseball
team. Some of them went to kinder
garten, and some were in the first
grade. Fathers and older brothers had
helped with suits and other parapher-
MALTA. We all went out to cheer when
they had game. This kind of play
gave them good exercise, and it help
ed the mothers to know where they
were.
When at last there was pause, |
asked if | might say a few words
They politely conceded.
perhaps you noticed | was using
the field glass;" | said. "Do you know
what | saw? Well, | saw huddle of
small boys who seemed unhappy and
not sure of themselves. Take the glass
and look at them"
One by one the mothers looked
through the glass.
"What's the matter with them?" de-
manded Mrs. Sherwood with asperity.
"They have the time and the place to
play, but they stand there like lot of
dummies"
Remember, you ladies were dis
cussing them," answered. "They are
busy discussing YOU"
They looked at me in amazement.
"Oh, you have no children. You don't
know much about them," shrugged
Mrs. Williams.
"My dear Mrs. Williams, | have had
taken care of dozens of other peoples
children. They are all pretty much
alike in some ways. Now, if you would
be willing to take my advice, you
would soon have happy group out
there. They couldn't play hard or fast
enough, or be grateful enough to you
"All right" smiled Mrs. Joyce. "You
have given me good advice before; just
try us now."
"You have spent a great deal of time
and money getting those little fellows
started on their ball team. But now
you are showing no respect for it
Please listen," as several women had
frowned and tried to interrupt. "You
demand instant obedience from them
You want them to remember to re-
spect your wishes. But do you respect
their wishes? Turn about is fair play
you know. You all knew they were
planning the BIG game for the after
noon Of the tenth. Fathers and Older
brothers have all been invited. AnC
liberately plans a birthday party fol
her daughter Edith on their BIG day
And the mothers of all the small boys
insist they must 60"
"But they can have their game some
other day." snapped Mrs. Martin, the
mother who had planned the party.
Couldn't the party be planned fol
another day? The eleventh is the rea
birthday. A change of day or two
would not make much difference. Edit
herself is quite unhappy about it,"
eve can't have it on Sunday" alb
jected Mrs. Martin.
"No, but couldn't it be on Friday
afternoon, after school? Pm sure il
would make them very happy if yor
called them in and told them that you
would change the day"
81 wonder if it is so important tC
them," sighed Mrs. Martin.
"I'm sure Of it. Just call Bobby anC
let him carry the word back to them
I'll guarantee you'll have so much
gratitude you will never plan another
thing on the date of big game"
Mrs Martin went to the door anC
blew the whistle she used in calling
Bobby home. Reluctantly he came
His feet dragged. His face was long
His eyes were dull.
What change when he received the
message to carry back to the othel
boys. He sped over the ground like
an arrow. His words acted like ;
charm. Instantly they sprang to posi-
ton. They were practicing for th'
Big game.