Of course, it’s a serious matter, this _Wanderlust_ of boyhood, and the boy who indulges it often comes to irreparable harm. But, after all, what is there like this going to and fro in the world to teach self-reliance and a knowledge of men? All normal boys want to run away; it is rather to their credit when they remain at home. _Truancy_ Truancy is another manifestation of the _Wanderlust_. It takes the combined restraint of good parents and good teachers to hold a boy in that public prison, a quiet schoolroom, in the brisk days of fall when the chestnuts are falling, or in the mild days of spring, when the birds return and the buds are bursting. Notice the very suggestive words of the boys in reference to school. The following answers came from different truants in answer to the question, “Why did you run away from school?” “Miss P. [his teacher] was all right. When I could not get my lessons, she would not scold me, but helped me out on them. Miss L. [another teacher] had it in for me. I was to blame part of the time, but she blamed other folks’ actions on me, and the school was right near the park. I could see them playing and having fun. I wanted to have some fun, too, so I ran away with another fellow.” “Run just to get away from school. Gather up old barrels and junk to get money to go to shows; used to go alone mostly.” “Liked all the teachers but one; she didn’t like colored boys. I liked to walk around the streets and look into the big store windows. Ran away to go to the theatre, and to go to ride on the express wagon.” “I didn’t like school; I didn’t like geography and history. I liked to go to shows. Rather be out working than going to school. Went down around markets to get jobs; about four of us used to go together.” “Didn’t like to be in there sitting down.” “Didn’t like to study.” “Have to sit quiet as can be all day.” “Went to wharves to see them take out fish.” “Ran away to go swimming and nutting.” “Ran to go to the circus.” “Ran to go to the ball games.” “Ran to go fishing.” “No fun in school.” “Ran to go to theatre.” In short, the boy is a natural vagabond. He wants above all things excitement, experience, and adventure. He is not lazy, but he will do anything sooner than work steadily at desk or bench. _The Theatre_ Such adventure as the boy cannot get at first-hand by running away from home, he gets at second-hand by way of the theatre. Boys have a raging passion for entertainments, and the stage gives them an opportunity to get much of life condensed into a deglutible form. Boys will do anything to get into the theatre,--pick over the dump, work hard, be good for a whole week,--all from a desire to learn something more about the world and to have a new experience.