This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg//2FB.2ACI/1819 Message Board Post: >From the Gazette Dec.3, 1941 The Bad Boy He's only six and sort of tanned and chubby. He likes to fish, and to go tramping to the lake. He's 'most a man:he hardly ever cries Because he feels his manhood is at stake. Today I had a project he'd have liked: To rake the leaves, and burn them when the sun was low We always hid potatoes in the coals And ate them, and then off to bed we'd go. I found him in his playhouse, all forlorn.. Tears on his nose, a tiny sob still on his breath, He saw me, and he cried " Why was I born?" He seemd to be just waiting there for death. "I guess I'm just the baddest boy alive- Mom spanked me twice: Once when i kinda skinned my nose And when i jumped the creek and got all wet- I didn't think to come and change my clothes". It isn' that she whipped me very hard She never does, It's more because she always cries- It makes me think she's sorry I'm her boy, I tell you Dad, it hurts when Mama cries. "Look, son" I said, "You're mama's pride and joy, she loves you more, much more than anyone can show- She deosn't think you're bad:She only tries to keep you safe, We need you son, you know". You should have seen his smile as off we went to rake the leaves and burn them when the sun was red We slyly hid potatoes in the coals and ate them He then trundled off to bed.