BOYISH PRANKS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 26 October 1917, Page 3

BOYISH PRANKS.

To the Editor.

Sir, —Allow me to express my appreciation of your remarks in last issue on the above subject. I have on different- oecasions during the last ten years wondere:; whether any efforts are made at "suppressing" them, or whether, like measlea, it is considered necessary for the ebullition of miscnief to run its course. I wouid like to point out that there are two sides to the subject, and I think a little consideration should be given to the feelings of those who suffer the annoyance. It is the feminine portion of a household who suffer the most of all, and for their sake mischievous youths should bfi dealt with a little more firmly. I *know that a good many mothers have /elt the annoyance an irritating one. If after a couple of hours spent in getting a teething infant off to sleep, a thumping on the door or windjw, or a stone on the roof, rouses it op again, the mother does 'not nee the funny side, especially if another hour's work follows; or where a couple of young children of three or. four get a fright and cry for the mother to remain in the room till they go off to sleep. But probably the most unfortunate mother is the pregnant one near confinement. When sitting quietly reading or at work and she gets a* sudden Btart through these boyish pranks, her whole being is set throbbing in a way which only a mother can understand, 'and it is often a couple of hours before she settles down again. If she is in poor health a night's sickness or hea-lache follows, with perhaps an attack of ne'uralgia next day. Th« .annoyance is not so trifling as some people try to make out. We can forgive boyish pranks committed on the spur of the moment, butv not the premeditated and persistent efforts of a few boys or youths who combine to make themselves a nuisance.—l am, etc., A Parent.

To the Editor.

Sir, pleasure I noticed a paragraph in the loi-al column of your paper last week referring *o juvenile la'rrikinism. After all these years that thia kind of thing has been allowed to go on unchecked, it is satisfactory to know 'that something might now be done to put down with, a firmer hand that which should be stopped whenever it occurs. During the week I have been thinking over the many conversations I have had in the past on the subject, and recalling some of the reasons why people do not care to complain m the matter. One man sayß I have boys of my own, so of course he must keep quiet. A good many do not like to make themselves unpopular or disliked. And last but not least, others say: What is the good; no notice would be taken if I were to complain. You know our constable is almost an old identity, and he cannot make himself unpopular any mora than th« reßt of us. We must just put up with the annoyance.

In conclusion, permit me to say that in my humble opinion although it may carry no weight, it eases my mind if nothing more—if we hsd made the acquaintance of a dozen or more policemen during the past twenty-five years, things may have been better for all concerned.—l am, etc., Rustic.