Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-07-06
})opular Gales.
The Student and Apprentice,
ny T.. .. ARTHUR.

1
tion to elicit some reply that would eX
hi5it the boys ignorance.
! James Wallace, boy Of fourteen,
turning his bright intelligent eyes upon
! the son OF his master, and afier regard
ing him for moment, he replied,
II q don't know, ilarman how far is il
! There was something SO honest aud
earnest in the tone of the boy, that,
much as lIarman had felt at first dispos-
! ed TO sport with his ignorance, he could
not refrain from giving the true answer
/ Still, his contempt for the ignorant ap-
prentice was not TO be concealed, ana
he replied,
Ninety five millions OF miles, you
ignoramus.
James did not rciort. but repeating
over in his mind the distance named,
! fixed ii indelbiy on his memory.
/ On the same evening, after he had
! finished his work, he obtained a small
text book on astronomy, which belong
ed 10 lIarman Lee, and went up into bis
garrct, with a candle, and there alone,
attempted 10 dive into the mysteries OF
that sublime science. As he read, tho
carnestncss Of his attention fixed nearly
every fact upon his mind. SO intent
was ho, that he perceived not the pas
sage of time, and was only called back
to a consciousness ofwhere he was, by
the sudden sinking of the wick Of his
candle, into the melted mass Of tallow
that had flied the cup of his candle stick.
In another moment he was in total dark
ness. The cry Of the waichman told
him that the hours had flown until 1t
was past ten O'Clock.
Slowly undressing himself in his dark
chamber, his mind recurring with Ii
strong interest to what he had been
reading, he laid down upon his hard bed,
aud gave full play TO his thoughts
Hour after hour passed away, but he
could not sleep, SO absorbed was he in
receiving the new and wonderful things
that he had read At last, wearied ma
ture gave way, and he fell oil into q
slumber filled with planets, moons, com
cts and fixed stars On the neat morn
ing tho apprentice boy resumed his
! place at the work bench with new feel
ing. And with this feeling was mingled
one Of regret, that bo could not go TO
school as did his masters sou.
| but | can study at night while he IL
asleep, he said to himself.
| Just then Ilarman Lee came iniG the
shop, and approaching James, said loi
the purpose Of teasing him,
How big round is the earth, Jim 2
! Twenty five thousand miles, was tho
prompt reply.
llarman looked surprised for a mo
incnt, and then responded with a sneef,
for he was not kind hearted boy,
but on the contrary, very selfish and
disposed TO injurc rather than do good
to others
! 90 dear How wonderful wise yop
are and no doubt YOU can tell how ma
ny moons Jupiter hos' Come, let
hear
Jupiter has four moons Jane
answered, with something Of eXullnlioE
in his tones. And no doubt you cqE
tell how many rings it has .
Jupiter has no rings Saturn hag
rings aud Jupiter belts, James repli,1
in u decisive tone. For moment %.
two, IIarmon was silent with surpris.
and modification, 10 think that bis faith
or's apprentice, whom he had esteemed
SO far below himself, should he possess
ed of knowledge equal TO his, on iAc
points in reference TO which he had
| chosen 10 question him aud that b.
| should be able 10 convict him ol rG
error into which he had purpcscly fallen
/ should like TO know how long it is since
YOU became SO wonderful wiseP liar
mar at length said with snecr.
n Not very long,, James replied calm
|'ly,I have been reading ono Of youl
/ books on Aslronomy.'
II Well, you're not going TO have M
books,-mistcr, | can tell you. Any
! how, should like To know what bust.
ness you had to touch one of them.
Let inc catch YOU a, il again, and soc u
/ l don't cuT you soundly You'd better
gfeat deal, be minding your work.
II tnui 4 diIl't ugologf uN ,Votk IIar.