Why Don't Parents Keep Track of Their Children? Sept. 9, 1921

Where Is My Boy To-Night?

The above question was the title of a song which attracted the attention of many an anxious mother. This question arose in the minds of mothers much more often in the days of saloons than now, but the boy is often far from safety even now. Temptations, snares and pitfalls are ever in his way. Parents can never be too careful with their boys. How about the girls? With the last family government which now prevails it is impossible to tell what is happening. Both boys and girls are allowed to go where they please day or night. The farmer must know where his mules are at night. The housekeeper must know the whereabouts of the milk cow at night, but it is not considered important to know about the boy or girl. They are supposed to arrive home from a return trip sometime. It may be at a reasonable hour, or it may be much later. The route gone may be all right or it may be full of suspicion. The stories that come from various quarters in regard to the conduct of many young people are appalling. We are aware that it is not within the province of the newspaper to regulate morals, but we feel compelled to warn parents of dangers known to exist. Let the mother ask thoughtfully, “Where is my girl tonight?”

From the editorial page of The Smithfield Herald, Sept. 9, 1921, J.M. Beaty, W.M. Gaskin, Mrs. T.J. Lassiter, I.W. Medlin, proprietors