The Perils of Trashy Literature
THAT it is very essential for parents to know the nature of the books which come into their children’s hands, and to guard them with all care against the pernicious influence of modern trashy literature, is a truth often forced upon public attention by tragic occurrences. An instance of this kind is reported in a press telegram from a New Jersey town near Atlantic City. Lloyd Hammell, a thirteen-year-old lad, disappeared, and a search made by his father and some neighbors resulted in the discovery of his body hanging by the neck from a tree. “Upon inquiry it was learned that the lad was a member of a boys’ club that met nightly in a corn patch, and discussed heroic deeds as portrayed in the blood-and-thunder novels which they exchanged at their nocturnal gatherings. A search of his school desk discovered several books of wild tales. The boy’s teacher said that he had told her that his ‘time was up on Wednesday.’ It is suspected that lots were drawn, and that the boy was hanged by his playmates.”