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THU ATLANTA GEORGIAN AND NEWS. SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1907.
BOYS
SOME STORIES AND ANECDOTES OF
INTEREST TO THE LITTLE MEN
CONDUCTED BY PETER PAN
HENRY DAVID THOREAU.
About ninety year* ago there was
burn In Concord, Mom., a boy who
never really grew to be a man, though
he lived forty.four years. It Is true
that he got to be tall and strong, with
a deep bass voice; that he wore a
beard, and that from all external ap
pearances he would at once have been
taken for a full-slsed man. But at
heart he was always a boy. He never
got over the habit of looking at things
from a boy’s point of view. Instead of
regarding the world as a place for se-
rloipi business, where men must work
so many hours a day and produce so
many dollars' worth of goods, and till
the fields and labor hard In factories,
ur offices, or stores, and “get along"—
Instead of all tbese things, he always
seemed to consider the world as a
great, fine, glorious playground—a
Place to be enjoyed and appreciated.
This man-boy was Henry David Tho-
resu.
A great many critics have spoken of
Thoreau's life as a failure. They say
that It begins nowhere and ends no
where. He Is never making progress
toward anything—there Is- no getting
onward, and upward—no climax. And
this Is all very true. Judging by or
dinary standards, we must set. down
Thoreau's life as a failure. But If wc
change our point of view and Judge
him by what I believe Is a much more
appropriate standard, we shall, I think,
find that his life has been a great sue.
cess.
We are all able to do good In this
world. Borne of us. are able to help
mankind by direct acts of charity, oth
ers by little deeds of gentleness or
kindness, others by strict devotion to
duty—whether we are business men or
professional men, or farmers, or what
you please. It seems to me that Tho-
reau did a great deal of good by the
example. he gave us of a clean, pure,
upright, honorable life. We somehow
feel toward him ns a timid person In
water over his depth must feel toward
a skillful, sturdy swimmer. He knew
no fear, his conscience was as bright
as tho pure water of the Walden that
he adored. In spite of his rough ex
terior, his gruff ways and his apiiarent
desire for seclusion, there was no man
really fonder of society. He loved chll,
dren, and they loved him—and that Is i
very encouraging Index of any man's
character. "His patience was unrail
ing; assuredly he knew not aught save
resignation; he did mightily cheer and
console those whose strength was
less."
Of course. It would not be advisable
for all of us to become Thoreaus, but
we can all remember the grand lesson
thut he teaches—that we are. after all,
children of nature: that It Is good to
get Into close communion with Mother
Earth; that as an Inspiration, as a
solace, as a constant source of hope for
tile unfortunate, and as a convincing
evidence of the goodness of the I'rc-
ator—the sun Is always shining some
where, that nature, no-matter what her
mood. Is always beautiful and wonder,
ful, and that there exists for all of us
somewhere. If we would only look for
It. a Walden pond—clear, spurkllng,
■'green and pellucid."
And so It seems to me altogether a
mistake to say that Thoreau's lire was
a failure. At least I, for one, am very
glad thut. though a man, he wOs always
a boy.—Gilbert P. Coleman.
He was only uhout 4 years old and
he seemed to vulue his red and green
rubber ball more than anything in the
world. An old negro mammy was play
ing with him In front of his home, on
Bouth Pryor street, and he was having
the time of his life.
The old nurse rolled the ball to him
and It went between his little fat legs
out Into the street and rolled, rolled
tight on the trolley car track and
rtopped exactly on the rail.
A big trolley car came rushing down
Pryor street at a fast clip and It was a
sight that would touch the heart of the
stoniest ns the little tot's fare over
spread wlh fear when he saw that the
Mg car was going to tear up that pretty
ball. The old nurse, ton, almost had a
panic os she saw what was about to
happen.
Cars don't generally atop In front of
the tot's house because It's in the mid
dle of the block. But this one did.
Maybe the inotorman saw the tot's face
or maybe he had a tot of his own. Any
way he suw the bull and he stopped Ids
car. Not only that, but he got off and
with his switch honk fished the play
thing from under the car and restored
It to the happiest kid In Atlunta.
Yet some folks say trolley mntormen
smash things Just for the fun of It.
IV—Rhyming Enigms.
My first Is In ba? but not In string;
My second's in chain, but not In ring;
My third Is In sell, but not In pay;
My fourth Is In week, but not In day;'
My fifth Is In boy, but not in girl;
My sixth Is In clean, but not In soil;
My seventh's In like, but not In hate:
My eighth Is In Mabel, but not In Kate;
My whole Is a favorite outdoor game.
Which often makes you boys quite lame,
lame
WHAT A SOUTHERN BOY ACCOMPLISHED
Nearly 100 years ago—June 3, 1808—a Southern baby opened his bonnle
blue eyes In Christian county, Kentucky. He was Just os other boys of
like tender age, and there was nothing to Indicate that In the years to come
this same helpless child was to play such a wonderful part In the history
of his country.
His forbears come of sturdy Revolutionary stock, so he had a legiti
mate claim to the aggressive and dominant characteristics that marked
his later life.
While yet a baby, this boy was carried by his parents to Mississippi,
where he grew up and soon began to make an Impression upon the pages
of his country's history, for he was none other than Jefferson Davis, the
splendid exponent of Southern aentlment, and the loyal patriot and states
man, who knew neither “variableness nor shadow of turning." no matter
whether he stood In the light and glory of success or bared bis head In si
lent acceptance of the crudest blows of unmerited fate. There Is not much
related of the boyhood of President Jefferson Davis, but all of us can
Imagine what kind of a child he was, simply because such a true, loyal,
honest, upright than could not have been anything but a noble, stralghtfor.
ward, trustworthy boy. We can take for granted that he played marbles
wltbout fudging; wielded a shinny stick without taking undue advantage
of his opponent; was kind to his dog and to his pony, and was considerate
and gentlemanly to his Inferiors. t‘.
He studied hard and stood well in his classes, graduating at West Point
when only 20 years of age, and entered the army, as second lieutenant.
Step by step this young Southern fellow rose In the army, until after his
marriage to the young daughter of General Zachary Taylor, he resigned
and became one of the great statesmen of the country. He fought with dls.
tlnctlon In Mexico as a colonel of Mississippi volunteers and was severely
wounded at Buena Vista.
Mr. Davis was sent by the state of Mississippi to the United ,States
senate, where he became a national figure; was mode secretary of war by
President Franklin Pierce, and Introduced Into tbe army many Improve
ments in Infantry tactics. Iron gun carriages, the use of the minis ball, and
rifled musketa and pistols. Mr. Davis was an ardent advocate of the right
of secession, and when the Southern Confederacy was formed In the his
toric capital building at Montgomery, Ala., he was elected president, Feb
ruary 9, 1861. He was Inaugurated at Montgomery February 18. 1881, and
where he stood that memorable day on the portico of the capitol Is now
marked with a brass star, which bears silent witness for present and fu
ture generations of one of the most remarkable Incidents In the history of
nations. The pathetic tragedies which beset his later years are known even
by the children of the South, who And In his splendid career an example.of
magnificent heroism worthy of the emulation of every boy In the South.
President Davis died In 1888, leaving a record for spotless Integrity,
dauntless courage and a loyalty to principle and people unsurpassed In'any
age or any clime. \
On Monday, June 3, the anniversary of President Davis' birth, at Rich
mond, Vo., a beautiful monument to him was presented to the country by
the loyal women of the South, and was unveiled with becoming ceremonies.
Throughout the South honor and reverence was paid the memory of Presi
dent Davis on Monday, and at the hour of the unveiling, for live minutes
the great wheels of commerce were stilled; tho noise and bustle of gigantic
Industries were silenced; bells tolled and men and women stood In mute
reverence of an Imperishable Ideal, while traffic and travel came to a stand
still for live minutes from the shores of the blue Potomac even to the
ruddy waters of the Rio Grande. The boy who grew up In Mississippi when
It was a frontier state received on last Monday a tribute from the hearts of
30,000,000 iieople, such as has never been accorded another American.
Although what the world called failure, and what the world knew was
suffering and humiliation came to this nbble man, yet after all he was ac
corded the tenderest, most beautiful tribute that ever was shown man by
man. And why was this, boys? The answer Is simple and unmistakable.
In all the manifold and varying relations of life President Davis' honor,
loyalty and devotion to principle was without spot or blemish, and he was
a glorious Ideal to whom the South can ever point with reverence and
with boundless admiration. PETER PAN,
The Garden of Dreams.
(In the desert of Life ther els one Oasis left for all—the Garden of
Dreams. And to the young and old alike this Garden Is a respite from all
trouble.)
I.
"When you're tired of your little toy dogs, my dears.
And your little tin soldiers, too—
When the night comes on with Its frogs and Its fears
And your poor little souls feel blue;
When each little eye Is dimmed by a tear.
And you're weary and worn from your play—
I come for you nightly and bring you up here
And I brush all your worries away.
Up here Is my Gugten of Dreams—
Where each little heart Is at rest—
Where the rainbows are bright and the sllver-hued light
Of the moon and the stars guide you best—
the stars guide you best— omes on
So don't ever worry when twilight c play—
And the shadows have ended yourm darkness to dawn,
Through Dreamland we'll toddle froy."
And I'll brush all your worries awal.
Idlsh toys,
•'Wlien you've grown too old for chlllfe—
And you're fighting the battles of lery Joys,
When you sigh In vain for your nurslfe; .
And your heart Is bowed In the strhadows are near.
When the sunset has flown and the sthe day—
And you ache from the wounds of u up here
I come for you nightly, and bring yo—
And 1 brush all your troubles away
Up here—In my Garden of Dreams, at rest—
Where your hurt, wounded heart Is's surcease for you
Where friendships are true and thersur breast—
Of the heartaches which harrow yoght Is nigh.
So smile at your worries when twill day—
Though worn from tho work of thsalk, you and I-»
Through Dreamland together we'll waway.”
And I'll brush all your heartaches I.
Ilorld has been done,
“And then vhen your work In the wost— •
And you turn la the daye of the ne like the sun.
When night sadfcrdrodp* and your Ilf
Has entered the shadows at last—hat la near.
When you wait all alone for the ehd ted gray—
And the gold In your hair has turng you up here
I’ll come for you still—and I'll brlnay—
And I'll brush all your longings aw
U|i here—In my Garden of Dreams, Is at rest—
Where your worn, wounded heart s star-lit track
Where you can turn back upon llfs'w was blest—
To the youth whlrh you now knoys be true.
Though others forsake you. IH alwae day—
And I'll lend you my dreams by tbme down for you
And soon through the twilight I'll coy.“
And bring you back with me to sta
—CRANTLAND IUCHL _
ABOUT FISHING AND
FISHING TACKLE.
Every boy knows how to go a-flah-
Ing, but an Intelligent boy Is not long
In learning that the mere getting of a
lot of flsb is a small part o( the pleas
ure. That Is why he prefers the rod
to the seine, one big flsh to many small
er ones, one cunning old trout or pick
erel outwitted to a basket of stupid
flsh that contended for the bait Pres,
ently he begins to desire more delicate
tackle, and understanda that he la Ash
ing for sport, not flsli. I take It that
the whole art and mystery of angling
Is how to get the most sport and enjoy
ment out of It. But how?
To begin, with, no one will destroy a
flsh which la not dangerous to man or
better fish Just for amusement; In oth.
er words, he fishes only for desirable
flsh. The chief things that make a
flsh desirable In the senso of a game or
sport flsh are that tt shall be good food,
not too common, and not too easily
caught. If, besides. It be beautiful anil
found In beautiful places so much the
better. Tt happens that by common
consent certain flsh, salmon and trout
and tbelr kindred, are In Europe and
America esteemed above all others, and
the opportunity to angle for them Is not
open to every one, and most boys must
get their sport with other less esteemed
kinds. "Boys' flsh.” they are some
times slightingly called, but they have
lots of sport to give to the boy who
knows how to get it, and he will get
more sport If he takes pains to make
the flsh better worth catching and bel
ter worth having after It Is caught It
Is better worth having, for Instance, If
you have caught It from the cleanest
water you have access to. Clean water
makes sweet flsh. If a flsh Is to be
kept kill It at once by a blow upon the
back of the head where the backbone
Joins it. This Is not only more merci
ful, but makes firmer meat. If one Is
Asking from a boat or n<ft moving about
much the flsh may be kept alive In a
floating live-box or basket, and at the
end of the Ashing the best may be
chosen for keeping and the rest let go.
Fish are sweeter, too. If cleaned a» soon
as possible; besides, the cleaning Is
done more easily If done early. Learn
to do It well yourself, and try to be at
home In time to do It before supper.
Cleaning flsh by candle light goes far
to spoil the sport of a pleasant day. Do
not clean flsh with your pocket knife.
Have In your kit a stout one for the
P urpose which will also cut bait. Such
nlves made expressly are sold for a
small sum, but a veteran kitchen knife
or a broken table knife, If kept In or
der. will do excellent service.
Do not throw your flsh In the dirt
nor let them lie In the sun nor string
them upon a twig or line if you wish
them to be sweet. Have a basket with
a cover, even If the cover be no more
than a newspaper. Wash this basket
and dry and air It In the sunshine. If
you can, after every using. All these
things you should do If you wish what
you catch to bo ns good as it can be.—
Harper's Outdoor Book for Boys.
THE CZAREVITCH’S BIRTHDAY.
While Spain Is still In raptures over
the birth of an heir to King Alfonso,
the land of the moujlks Is stirred by an
event of great moment The esare-
vltch has been translated from swad
dling garments and kilts to his first
pair of pants. Russia will celebrate
the third birthday of little Alexis on
July SO, when the future exar will
make his first public appearance en
culotte, or In little breeches. The boy
Is a handsome, sturdy little lad, of
whom great things are expected, as he
resembles more his famous grandfather
than the present exar.
TED.
have a little brindle dog.
Seal brown from tall to bead,
Hla name, I guess. Is Theodore,
But I just call him Ted,
Ks’s only eight months old today—
I guess he's just a pup;
Pa soys he won't be larger
When be is all grown up.
He plays around about the house.
As good us he can be.
He don't seem like a little dog.
He's Just like folks to me.
And when It Is my bedtime,
Ma opens up the bed;
Then I nestle down real coxy
And Just make room for Ted.
And, tffi, how nice we cuddle!
Ho doesn’t fuss £r bite,
Just nestles closely up to me
And lays there still all night.
Wc love each other dearly,
My little Ted and me.
We’re Just good chums together,
And always hope to be.
: —Philadelphia Telegraph.