THE BOY WHO DOSENT CARE

Wairarapa Standard, Volume 9, Issue 906, 29 April 1879, Page 3

THE BOY WHO DOSENT CARE

“ My son you are wasting your time playing with that kitten. You ought to bo studying your lesson. You’ll get a black mark if you do not study,” said Mrs Mason. “ 1 don’t care,” replied the boy “ Don’t care will ruin t'>at child,” said Mrs Mason to herself. “ I will teach him a lesson he will not forget,” When noon arrived, her idle boy rushed into the house, shoutiog. “ Mother, I want my dinner. “ I don’t care,” replied Mrs Mason. James was puzzled. His mother had never so treated him before lie was silent awhile; then ho spoke

again. “ Mother, I want something to eat.” “ I don’t care,” was the cool reply. “ But recess will bo over, mother, and [ shall starve if I don’t get some dinner,” urged James. “ I don’t care.” This was too much for the poor boy to endure. He burst into tears. His said. “ My son, I want to make you feel the tolly and sin ot the habit you have of saying ‘I dont care'. Suppose I really did not care for you, what would you do for dinner, for clothing, for a nice home, for an education ? J hope, therefore, you will cease saying, ‘ I don’t care.’ ” James had never looked on this evil habit in this light before. Ho promised to do better, and after receiving a piece of pie, wont to school wiser if not better.

“ Eliza,” said a fond mother to her daughter, recently, as that daughter was about going forth in tow of a young man who worships the very side walk she walks upon, “ go to the bread box and eat a good big crust of bread before you go out.” “ Why, maw,” replied the blushing girl, “ I don’t feel the least bit hungry. We’ve only just had tea.” “ I know it, but you will be hungry before you get back ; and when Adolphus takes you into a restaurant you’ll eat ice-cream and sponge-cake and ham-samviches and oysters enough to scare him out of a years growth. You silly girls don't think of this, but wo experienced women do. When he asks you to go in and have some oysters, even if you are hungry, don’t. Say you do not approve of girls wasting the money of their future husbands on trifles, when it might be applied towards furnishing a house. This always takes the' young men ; it sets them to thinking of housekeeping and matrimony; it makes them believe that you are the incarnation of economy, and would make an excellent wife; and so they often say things which give you a hold over them, or are effective before a jury.” Eliza treasured up these sagacious comnsels, and acted upon them with such earnestness and effect that when she came home she was an engaged woman!