Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1887 — The Boy’s Answer. [ARTICLE]

The Boy’s Answer.

There is usually a reason to be found for doing what we desire. On the other hand, there are plenty of arguments to prove that the same line of action may be injurious to other people. One day a teacher told her scholars that it was wrong to chew tobacco; when a small boy, with an important air, replied that he had seen a fellow chew tobacco because his teeth ached, and stoutly averred that it was not wrong for any one to chew tobacco if his teeth ached. This seemed to please the scholars very much, and the teacher was at first sorely puzzled to know how to answer this stunning argument. At last she said to the boy*. “Horace, if a girl should have the toothache, and want to chew tobacco, what would she do ?” Horace scratched his head, and then said resolutely: “She ought to have the tooth pulled.” Thus our pet vices become our remedies, the while we direct our neighbors to the dentist round the corner. —Youtk’s Comparfion.