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Story
July 12, 1899
St. Johnsbury Caledonian
Saint Johnsbury, Caledonia County, Vermont
What is this article about?
A mother reproaches her son Hal for not entertaining a visiting boy friend, who Hal claims ignores him in return. Hal's father intervenes, advising that true character and gentlemanly behavior require courtesy regardless of others' actions, emphasizing self-respect and moral integrity.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Be Courteous Boys.
"I treat him as well as he treats me," said Hal.
His mother had just reproached him because he did not attempt to amuse or entertain a boy friend who had gone home.
"I often go in there and he doesn't notice me," said Hal again.
"Oh, I don't mind! I don't stay long."
"I should call myself a very selfish person if friends came to see me and I should pay no attention to them."
"Well, that's different; you're grown up."
Then you really think that politeness and courtesy are not needed among boys?
Hal, thus pressed, said he didn't exactly mean that; but his father, who had listened, now spoke:
"A boy or a man who measures his treatment of others by their treatment of him has no character of his own. He will never be kind, or generous or Christian. If he is ever to be a gentleman, he will be so in spite of the boorishness of others. If he is to be noble, no other boy's meanness will change his nature."
And very earnestly the father added:
"Remember this, my boy, you lower your own self every time you are guilty of an unworthy action because some one else is. Be true to your best self, and no boy can drag you down."—[Christian Work.
"I treat him as well as he treats me," said Hal.
His mother had just reproached him because he did not attempt to amuse or entertain a boy friend who had gone home.
"I often go in there and he doesn't notice me," said Hal again.
"Oh, I don't mind! I don't stay long."
"I should call myself a very selfish person if friends came to see me and I should pay no attention to them."
"Well, that's different; you're grown up."
Then you really think that politeness and courtesy are not needed among boys?
Hal, thus pressed, said he didn't exactly mean that; but his father, who had listened, now spoke:
"A boy or a man who measures his treatment of others by their treatment of him has no character of his own. He will never be kind, or generous or Christian. If he is ever to be a gentleman, he will be so in spite of the boorishness of others. If he is to be noble, no other boy's meanness will change his nature."
And very earnestly the father added:
"Remember this, my boy, you lower your own self every time you are guilty of an unworthy action because some one else is. Be true to your best self, and no boy can drag you down."—[Christian Work.
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Family Drama
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Family
What keywords are associated?
Courtesy
Boys Politeness
Moral Lesson
Father Advice
Character Building
What entities or persons were involved?
Hal
Hal's Mother
Hal's Father
Story Details
Key Persons
Hal
Hal's Mother
Hal's Father
Story Details
Mother reproaches Hal for ignoring a visiting friend, citing her own courtesy; Hal justifies reciprocity; father teaches that character demands kindness irrespective of others' behavior, urging Hal to remain true to his best self.