Getting a Boy Out of Bed.

Evening Star, Issue 7658, 7 July 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

Getting a Boy Out of Bed.

Calling a boy up in the morning can hardly be classed under the head of pastimes, especially if the boy is fond of exercise the day before ; and it is a little singular that the next hardest thing to getting a boy out of bed is getting him into it. There is rarely a mother who is a success at rousing a boy. All mothers know this, and so do their boys. And yet the mother seemß to go at it in the right way. She openß the stair-door, and insinuatingly observes: " Johnny." There is no response. " ijohn-ny.'' Still no response. Then there is a short, sharp "John," followed a moment later by a prolonged and emphatic "John Henry." A grunt from the upper region signifies that an impression has been made, and the mother is encouraged to add: " You'd better be coming down here to your breakfast, young man, before I come up there and give you something you'll feel." This so startles the young man that he immediately goes to sleep again. And the operation has to be repeated several times. A father knows nothing about this trouble. He merely opens his mouth as a soda-water bottle ejects its cork, and the "John Henry " that cleaves the air of that staircase goes into that boy like electricity, and pierces the deepest recesses of his nature. And he pope out of that bed and into his clothes and down the stairs with a promptness that is commendable. It is rarely a boy allows himself to disregard the paternal summons. About once a year is believed to be as often as is consistent with the rules of health. He saves his father a great many steps by his thoughtfukese.