The Argosy — page 225: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

} , a j a2 210 A Word for Our Militia. =n ’ it Answer? A Word to Soldiers,” by Miss Robinson’s friend, was often read. é | Twenty men were from Birmingham, many of them under three-and- twenty. There was never a word spoken that could be found fault with, and the people of the house were loud in their praises. There had been a fear lest a party of Militia might not make the house pleasant to the regular comers in the reading-room below, but they all behaved with the greatest order and civility, staying on till nine o’clock, reading or playing games. I feel sure they will find a hearty welcome next spring, and that when the room is better known, there will be many more anxious to avail themselves of it. Probably one reason for the good behaviour is, that only the steady fellows come; and I must say for these young men, that not one of them ever came into my presence smoking, which was more than could be said of their superiors in rank, Iam quite sure. I know of one town where not only the men for their twenty-eight days, but the recruits for heir three months, have been looked after every evening from six to nine for some years, the head of a large shop and her daughters devoting most of their evenings to the work; there are many other voluntary teachers, and numbers of the young fellows have learnt to ‘read and write through their kindness. One year the men presented her with a Bible; they have all as a rule behaved well, and been most grateful to her. Another year I trust there will be regular management and a regular number of ladies, each taking their turn two or three times a week. They would find plenty to do, for many wanted a reading lesson as well as a writing lesson, after the letters were written and posted. Of course there should be one of a certain age or position to superintend every evening : and some women, who excel with girls or at mothers’ meetings, might not be so well fitted as others to speak to or teach young men. For myself, I prefer a set of rough boys to the demurest class of good little girls that ever was found. A mother, with her heart full of her own boy, will say a kind word of advice to a young fellow, and touch the soft place in his heart, better perhaps than anyone else, and perhaps, as no words are forgotten before God, bring a blessing on her own darling, ‘Roaming in youth’s uncertain wild.” I shouldbe gladto have the subject considered and suggestions offered, All I can say is I tried to do my best in the short time I had. From twelve to one, and from six to seven, was all I could give ; and Mrs. B., the widow of a clergyman, accustomed to parish work, came whenever her health allowed her, and she had a Bible class on the two Sundays. The first Sunday there was only young D.; the second, he was there and four others, all young. They were quite interested in the account Eoimicbooks. co