Page:Solution of the Child Labor Problem.djvu/35

28, as readily ruined in one case as in another. Why the contrast? It would seem that the money element is the chief consideration. In one respect the colt differs from the child,—it possesses cash value. It requires an outlay of money to replace a colt; a "wanted" sign will replace the child.

It is interesting to note that one never speaks of a "colt's work" as contrasted with a "horse's work," because the colt is not called upon to work at all. Its period of youth is left free for play and invigorating, out-door exercise. It has remained for human beings to divide up the work of the world among themselves,—to call a part of it "child's work," a part of it "woman's work," and a part of it "man's work."

The growing child is not prepared to go into modern, subdivided industry and take up a task that involves a monotonous daily grind, for he is physically and mentally incapable of withstanding the pressure of such labor. His natural instinct leads toward play, and