Weber State University - Acorn Yearbook (Ogden, UT)

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Sfje iUcorn of tfje fllleber fetafee cabemp through which the government trail passed, lying in wait to kill any whites who should pass that way. I was surprised, as well as thoroughly frightened to learn this. I asked why he and his sons were not with their tribesmen. The old Indian hunted around in his bundle of rags for a few minutes and then brought out a small piece of tobacco; the last of the plug that had been given him three months before. He held the piece of tobacco out in his hand and said that as long as that lasted, he could never help kill the whites, one of whom had given it to him.” “After this friendly explanation they asked me to camp with them that night, which I did. The next morning the old Indian and his four sons acted as guides and guards to show me my way and protect me from attack. By noon that day they told me I was within ten miles of the government road and that by riding straight ahead I would be sure to find it, which I did, and three more days of travel saw me safely in Carson.” How many of us, as we travel along life’s desert road, do little acts of kindness that, in after years, may serve as an ex- cuse for some one to do us a kindness ten thousand times more valuable than the act we did for them. —Briant Jacobs, ’07. Stuftinfttoe tonsf of tfjc Cfjtlb Certain activities, peculiar to children, have been carefully observed by psychologists and classed as instinctive. One of the most important manifestations of this instinctive action is the curiosity that all children show. This instinct is generally annoying to order-loving adults, as it sometimes becomes de- structive. We are much put out when Johnny takes his watch to pieces, or smashes his sister’s doll. But to him, it is almost a necessity to find out the cause of the ticking of the watch or the rolling of those glassy eyes. This tendency was formerly regarded as an expression of his evil nature, which was gradu- ally outgrown as he came to manhood. But we are beginning 14]

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Cfje Scorn of tfje 2ftleber £ tabe Scabemp tnti Sftsf We cannot tell what effect the little things we do every day will have upon those with wnom we come in contact. This truth was impressed very forcibly upon my mind many years ago when I heard one of the old men of our town relate the following incident: “In the summer of fifty seven, while making one of my trips between Salt Lake City and Carson City, Nevada, I happened to meet an old Indian and his four grown sons at a place called Resting Springs in the Great American Desert. They had evidently come to the springs for a supply of water, as near by stood their horses loaded with two five gallon barrels each. The old Indian and his boys seemed inclined to be friends with us and so we treated them as kind as we could. During the short stay of the Indians, (for they soon left after we got there) I gave the old Indian a plug of tobacco, for which he seemed to be very grateful.” “About three months later I had to make this trip again, but some way, unaccountable to me, I got off the road, or rather the trail which is indicated on the government map as the best and safest route to California. I wandered about for three whole days. Just after sundown on the third day I rounded the point of a mountain, along which I had been traveling since morning. Right there, beside a little spring, I happened to meet the same old Indian and his four grown sons whom I had met on my former trip. When the Indian saw me, he ran up to me and asked as well as he could, how in the world I had ever reached that spot, for he said that his whole tribe had lately gone on the war path and a strict look out was kept for any white men who might pass.” “I then told him that I was lost, and had been for the past three days. As I noticed that these five Indians were alone in their sequestered dwelling, I asked where the other members of the tribe were. I was told that they were about 10 miles south of there in a very narrow gorge, called Cedar Canyon, [13

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tEIje gcorn of tfje ®Hcber g tafee cabcmp to think that it is a heaven born instinct, which, by giving him experience and knowledge, aids his development. In other words, he sees an effect, and in searching for a cause, gains the power to think. It is the duty of guardians to direct this inquisitive dispo- sition to investigation of proper things, and along proper channels. We must say to Johnnie not only “Don’t take your new watch to pieces,” but also, “You may help me clean the machine, or the bicycle.” Another important instinct in children is the desire to im- part any newly acquired knowledge to others. The little child who first sees a rainbow, runs straightway to tell someone of his wonderful discovery. Children are continually bringing sticks, leaves, and pebbles to be admired by mother. This tendency is never outgrown, and to it, we owe all our recorded knowledge. The poet who discovers a beautiful thought is eager to give it to the world; the painter who imagines a lovely picture eagerly gives it to his fellows. This desire to tell what we know is often abused by gossiping. When children come to us with their tales of wonders found, we ought to encourage them by giving interest, attention, and appreciation. Most children love the beautiful, and seem to be attracted by bright colors and by flowers and pretty clothes. We must be careful not to repress this tendency too much, but by guiding it wisely, lead to appreciation for less obviously attractive things. The instinct of activity has many forms of expression. A normal child finds profit and pleasure in restlessness, lovely games, shouting, running, throwing balls, etc. Physical growth, and general development result. A longing for wild, barbaric, monotonous noises also char- acterizes the child, and if allowed and indulged, will pass into love for harmonious sounds. The child instinctively seeks the association of other children. He will play games with others and will thus exercise his ima- ginative, imitative and dramatic powers. He will organize with others—form a union as it were—and share gains and [15