DIFFICULT BOYS 



35 : 



and football, etc., and a splendid swimming tank; all under expert 

 instruction. The one element of industrial training impresses me as 

 the most important of all. The boys make all their shoes, clothes and 

 many other essential articles for home consumption; all furniture 

 needed or desired. They decorate in highly artistic fashion all walls 

 for esthetic and sanitary reasons and add to buildings, as the two new 

 wings of the schoolhouse built last year show. Agricultural instruction 

 is not only the best form of physical training, but a constant source of 

 object lessons, the wholesome means of correction and moral stimula- 

 tion. The week's work is divided judiciously between these various 

 industries, and always, daily, certain portions of scholastic instruction, 

 military routine, drills, etc. The scholars live and sleep and eat in 

 houses presided over by the teachers and their families, securing the 

 paternal influences. 



In conclusion let me urge all those who are charged with the care 

 of a difficult boy to be openminded at all times; to be prepared to 

 modify the original concept, the earlier estimate; to read him in the 

 lights revealed along the way. Above all things exercise toward him 

 companionability ; encourage confidences, especially as to hopes, ambi- 

 tions, views on life. Be quick to see the good, the forceful, qualities 

 and help the spontaneous exercise of these. Above all never be betrayed 

 into forcing on such a boy plans of action contrary to his bent, his 

 tendencies. Let Mm evolve a course of action, help him to perfect it, 

 be it large or small. The small may become elaborated, the large may 

 need modification. When the course is chosen, emphasize, praise, en- 

 courage spontaneity. Always leave the door open to a return to you 

 for renewals of stimulus; encourage the appeal to you for judgment, 

 for wisdom. 



