Page:Solution of the Child Labor Problem.djvu/42

35 the body, how easy it is to wreck the mind! "The greatest evil of child labor outside of the physical effects, is the mental and moral loss suffered in the deprivation of an education and the substitution of a daily round of monotonous labor, which is mere profitless drudgery so far as preparation for adult life is concerned, and is calculated to blunt the undeveloped faculties of the child." Play means growth for the body and development for the mind. The children who play, grow, and grow because they play. There is no sadder experience in the whole range of human life than to see a bright, intelligent, wholesome child leave school and start work in a factory. Gradually the flame of enthusiasm grows less bright, then it flickers hopelessly, and finally it goes out. The tale is told in the lack-luster eye, the harsh, indifferent voice, the languishing gait. The working child at first has no time for play; then he forgets to play, and finally he has no desire to play. The factory has done its