Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 October 1903 — THE BOY BEHIND THE BOOK. [ARTICLE]

THE BOY BEHIND THE BOOK.

I have no doubt you've read about the man behind the gun, And of the man behind the bat that made the winning run. You’ve heard anout the man who la behind the hoe and pick. And of nine million others who are “just behind" and kick Because the world's against them and they deprecate their lot If they don’t get their portion from the man behind the pot. And there’s the man behind his board and can't produce a cent, . Who has a woeful rival in the man behind hikrent. And there's thy map behind the scheme to make yon get quick, And when your cash comes out behind of course you raise a kick. But that won’t bring your money back-yon-re just behind, that’s all — And when your wife hears of it you’re the man behind the bawl. But I’ll not ling of adult woes—l’ll have you take a look At that tan-vlsaged tyrant—it’sthe boy behind the book. He starts to school on Monday with a face that’s all aglow— With smiles? Well, I should reckon not I He’ll have to wash, yon know, He’ll also have to don the shoes he took off ’way last spring. Although be has stone bruises and—well, he has everything That any healthy boy should have—he’s been stung by the bees. He has a back that’s sunburned and there’s no skin on his knees; *** He has about a million scars upon his face and head; The bricks the gacg meant for his dog all swatted him instead, Bat that is not bis greatest grief—he’ll have to brash his hair And part it with a fork because the comb’s not anywhere. He’ll have to wear hia Sunday shirt and don a nerktie, too, 7And change his ragtime ta-ra-ras to old “Red, White and Blue." The world will seem a dreary place; he’ll wear a downcaat look Because be ia compelled to be the boy behind the book. He’ll have to leave the swimming hole apd baseball bats behind. And straggle through his “jogafy” and nearly wreck his mind. He’ll have to sit Dp straight all day and note the frigid mein Of two-score-year Miss So-and-Bo wbo’d like to be sixteen. He’ll have to study Homer, too, but when he sees that name He’ll think how Heydon’s “homer” was the one that won the game, Of mornings and of afternoons he’ll get a brief recess. Bat evetrthen bis soul will be in deep and dire distress Because be’U have born to his ears—now fellows, this is tough— Miss So-aiid-So's sonorous song “N ow, children, don't be rough.” And even when the school day’s done he'll be in sorry plight Because she'll load him down with sums he’ll have to do at night. O grown-ups have their burdens but—well, somehow they don’t look Like they’re one-half as heavy as the boy’s behind the book. So here’s good lock to all the boys and may that good lock be To have all achoolma'ama In the land united happily In matrimony's holy bonds and may they—when they’re “took"— Announce twelve-month vacations for the boy behind the book, ,-W. M. Herschell In Indianapolis New*. Read The Democrat for news.