46 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



newspapers — those faithful reflectors of public taste — give the before 

 spot reports and after news with a minuteness of detail worthy a bet- 

 ter cause. Rather English, too, isn't it? Did not the Prince of Wales 

 feel honored to shake the hand of John L. Sullivan? But the English 

 you know, ever respected elevating and manly sports ! We also learn 

 from the same papers that a great number of Northern gentlemen had 

 business South about the time of the contests. Oh, business ! thy 

 mantle is great ! We can influence the play of Jack, the boy, but when 

 Jack is a man he is almost past saving grace in this respect. 



This recalls the experience of the West Plains Woman's Club in a 

 movement to raise the morals of the juveniles of that place. I am not 

 willing to acknowledge the morals of that town worse than those ad- 

 joining, but such as they were we sought to elevate them. I being one 

 of the committee to solicit the assistance of a worthy gentleman in the 

 cause, I shall venture to give his reply by his own story, as it casts a 

 lucid light on the situation. 



"I hardly think your plan will work," said he. "It is quite useless 

 to appeal to the fathers ; they are on a par with the boys. It is like 

 this story : An irate mother once sought to discipline her boy with 

 the aid of a stout stick. Quite naturally he ran, and finally took refuge 

 under the barn, where she could not go. But she nursed her wrath 

 until the father's return, and insisted he crawl under and bring him 

 out. Understanding well his own family, this he jtroceeded to do, 

 but when half through the opening a hoarse whisper came through 

 the darkness, 'Say, dad, is that you ? Is she after you too "? ' " 



It is needless to say we have abandoned that plan of action. Now, 

 if Jack, the boy, grows dull, do not think that Jack, the man, is any 

 more interesting without amusement and diversion to carry his mind 

 on to something besides business. He must read, study or have some 

 form of mental gymnastics, or there will be nothing in his head but 

 business to talk about. We all enjoy bearing a man well versed and 

 enthusiastic in his calling discuss it sometimes ; but we do not care to 

 be always button-holed for that theme. 



I recall one instance of childhood that impressed me strongly : A 

 man who was an enthusiastic Jersey stock importer, whose name is for- 

 gotten, for we always called him " dam " and " grand dam " — words ever 

 in his mouth. In Chicago now they have conversational classes, taking 

 lessons in conversation — a good thing, doubtless, but you recall the 

 first direction in cooking a rabbit is to first catch your rabbit. 



It has been said that the first period of a nation, as an individual, 

 is the period of unconscious strength. Children cry and scream, but 



