TO BOYS WHO ARE TWENTY-ONE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 460, 5 June 1909, Page 4

TO BOYS WHO ARE TWENTY-ONE

A gentkman writing from Wilkes-Barre, Pa., U.S., remarks in the young man of twentyone ; So you are 21 ? And you stand up clear-eyed, clean-minded, to look all the world squarely in the eye. You are a man ! Did you ever think, son, how much it has cost to make a man of you ? Someone has figured up the cost in money of rearing a child. He says to bring up a young man to legal age, care for him, and educate him, costs 25,000 dollars. Which is a lot of money to put into flesh and blood. But that isn’t all.

You have cost your father many hard knocks and short dinners, and worry and grey streaks in his hair. And your mother —oh, boy, you will never know ! You have cost her days and nights of anxiety and wrinkles in her dear face, and heartaches and sacrifices.

It has been expensive to grow you. But—

If you are what we think you are, you are worth all you cost and much more. Be sure of this: While father does not say much but “Hello, son,” way down, deep in his tough, staunch heart, he thinks you are the finest ever. And as for the little mother, she simply cannot keep her love and pride for you out of her eyes. You are a man now.

And some time you must step into your father’s shoes. He wouldn’t like you to call him old, but just the same he isn’t as young as he used to be. You see, young man, he has been working pretty hard for you for more than twenty years, to help you up! And already your mother is beginning to lean on you.

Doesn’t that sober you, Twentyone?

Your father has done fairly well, but you can do better. You may not think so, but he does. He has given you a better chance than he had. In many ways you can begin where he left off. He expects a good deal from you, and that is why he has tried to make a man of you. Don’t flinch boy !

The world will try you out. It w ill put to 'the test every fibre in you. But you are made of good stuff. Once the load is fairly strapped on your young shoulders you will carry it and scarcely feel it—if only there be the willing and cheerful mind.

All hail you on the threshold ! _ It’s high time you were beginning to pay the freight. And your back debts to your father and mother. You will pay them, won’t you boy ?

How shall you pay them? By being always and everywhere a man ! ;