Recently, I was browsing through my father’s 1934 Boy Scout manual. My dad, a member of Troop 324, wrote his name and phone number, Rich 33, inside the book, which included just about everything a boy needed to know.
It was fun to browse through and learn how to run a good, clean life. To the best of my knowledge, he followed every rule.
Here are gems from the booklet:
Use your own legs: Don’t hop trucks, street-cars or other vehicles on city streets. You may be able to jump and hold on safely, but when it comes to dropping off, you are likely to find yourself in the path of an approaching automobile which can not stop quickly enough to avoid you.
Swimming safety: Never call “Help” unless you really need it. Don’t splash about wildly, pretending that you are drowning. Come out when you first begin to shiver. It is nature’s signal that enough is enough. Wear slippers or old shoes down to the swimming hole. There will be fewer stubbed toes.
Signaling turns in a car: By means of the hand and arm, the driver shall indicate his intention to start, stop or turn, by extending the hand and arm horizontally from and beyond the left side of the vehicle.
In case of fire: If you have no telephone, go to the nearest fire alarm box. Open door, pull down hook inside box. This gives the alarm. Stand at box until engines arrive so as to direct firemen to fire.
Business laws: A contract made with a lunatic is void. Contracts made on Sundays cannot be enforced. Signatures made with lead pencil are good in law. A note obtained by fraud, or from a person in a state of intoxication, cannot be collected.
Earn your own money: Make birdhouses, beat rugs, carry out ashes, deliver telegrams, collect scrap iron.
Grow your own money: Save a penny a day, in 10 years you’ll have $36.50. Save $25 per week, have $1,300 in a year. With interest, these figures would be very much more.
Remove vegetable stains from hands: Rub with slice of raw potato.
Good health: Sleep, rest, fresh air, sunlight, regular exercise, cleanliness, plenty of water, the right kind of food, comfortable clothing, work and play, good posture and good mental habits. We should use the example of Theodore Roosevelt, concern ourselves with knowing about our physical condition then definitely plan activities that will bring improvements.
Obey traffic signals: Obey the traffic officer at all times. If a crossing has no traffic officer, watch the signal lights. When there is no signal, be your own semaphore. If cars are coming, say to yourself “Stop.” If the way is clear, say to yourself “Go.”
Fire safety: Don’t light matches in closets where light dresses are hung. Don’t light them near lace curtains. Fire extinguishers should have contents stirred at least once a year.
How to fold breeches: Fold one leg over another so that seams on inside of legs come together. Fold over and over and place on shelf or in a drawer, or use a trouser hanger.
Hiking: Don’t wear a sock with a hole in it or one with a darn located where it will make trouble.
A good Scout is still a good Scout.
Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451, oharran@heraldnet.com.
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