136 The American Boy 



Americans, until they change; and even after the 

 change scars will be left on their souls. 



The boy can best become a good man by being a 

 good boy not a goody-goody boy, but just a plain 

 good boy. I do not mean that he must love only 

 the negative virtues ; I mean he must love the posi 

 tive virtues also. "Good," in the largest sense, 

 should include whatever is fine, straightforward, 

 clean, brave, and manly. The best boys I know 

 the best men I know are good at their studies 

 or their business, fearless and stalwart, hated and 

 feared by all that is wicked and depraved, incapable 

 of submitting to wrong-doing, and equally incapable 

 of being aught but tender to the weak and helpless. 

 A healthy-minded boy should feel hearty contempt 

 for the coward, and even more hearty indignation 

 for the boy who bullies girls or small boys, or tor 

 tures animals. One prime reason for abhorring 

 cowards is because every good boy should have it 

 in him to thrash the objectionable boy as the need 

 arises. 



Of course the effect that a thoroughly manly, 

 thoroughly straight and upright boy can have upon 

 the companions of his own age, and upon those 

 who are younger, is incalculable. If he is not thor 

 oughly ~manly, then they will not respect him, and 

 his good qualities will count for but little; while, 

 of course, if he is mean, cruel, or wicked, then his 



