The American Boy 137 



physical strength and force of mind merely make 

 him so much the more objectionable a member of 

 society. He can not do good work if he is not 

 strong and does not try with his whole heart and 

 soul to count in any contest; and his strength will 

 be a curse to himself and to every one else if he 

 does not have thorough command over himself and 

 over his own evil passions, and if he does not use 

 his strength on the side of decency, justice, and fair 

 dealing. 



In short, in life, as in a foot-ball game, the prin 

 ciple to follow is : 



Hit the line hard ; don't foul and don't shirk, but 

 hit the line hard ! 



