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Show NEGLECTING THE GOOD BOY A XI) CODDLING THE BAD A lion who visited International Headquarters the other day told of. an incident in his home life which ought to set many a parent to thinking. think-ing. ' He reached home very late one Saturday evening, and his little boy had missed him very much." He wanted want-ed to know why Daddy was1 so late. "I went to take some paroled boys from the reformatory for a lont hike," said the father, proudly. The -small son did not seem properly prop-erly impressed. He thought it over for a minute, and remarked sadly: "I guess I'D have to steal something some-thing and get arrested and paroled, and maybe you'll take me for a hike." It was like a blow between tho eyes to that father. He isaw himself, all at once, in the light in which hr little boy saw him. He had been devoting de-voting his time and spending his money to give pleasure to boys who had been defiant of society, wlho had broken the law, who had incurred the wrath of the judge who merited punishment; and had 'been neglecting neglect-ing his own son who had manfully man-fully submitted to discipline, who had obeyed the law, who had deserved deserv-ed and had longed for the companionship compan-ionship of his father. It ia a fine thing to extend; aid and sympathy to the boy or girl who has fallen into evil ways and is willing to reform. All such should have sympathetic treatment, and every opportunity op-portunity to return 'to decent ways of living. But is bitterly unjust to lavish all the attention on the lawbreaker, law-breaker, and leave out in the cold the child who is doing his best to comply with the demands of society. It is a laudable thing to carry cheer into the lives of boys who have broken the law and are undergoing their punishment; punish-ment; but no man can know the oit terness. in the hearts of those brave lads who have kept the faith, who have fought and overcome tempta- j tion, who have scorned to steal what they could not get honestly aim who &o unrecognized while thieve and hoodlums are petted and entertained. enter-tained. The prodigal son business is easily everyone. It does not take many parties. par-ties. Christmas trees and entertainments entertain-ments to make the offender consider ! himself something of a hero, anu I make the neglected honest boy wish j he were a paroled thief so that he j might get some attention. It is a di-! di-! rect bid for a boy to turn criminal j Lions Club Magazine. |