JUVENILE MODESTY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XII, Issue VI, 10 February 1894, Page 143

JUVENILE MODESTY.

There is a story of a certain benevolent gentleman who visited a certain reformatory institution, and while going over the place engaged one and another of the inmates in conversation. The good man was quite unmindful of the fact, known to all who have seen much of that phase of life, that people in such places do not enjoy being questioned as to their personal history. At last he came to a very demure-look-ing youngster, and his heart went out toward the unfortunate waif. ‘ Well, my little man,’ he said, ‘ and what are you in here for?’ ‘ Please, sir,’ said the little fellow, instantly, * I’m here to set the other boys a good example.’ Somewhat of the same sort is a story lately told in a magazine. ‘Aren't you a big boy to have a nurse?’ asked an elderly gentleman of a boy whom he had met iu the park. ‘ Oh, no,’ said the boy. ‘ She doesn’t look after me, anyhow. She’s here to take care of the boys I play with, and see that I don’t hurt them.’