Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-05-07
From the Charle,,on Courier.

Il
| The Boot Black and the College Prssidsni-T,oo
Scenes from Real Life Some score Of years since,
the President ola well known College in Kentue-
ky, was one morning, while sitting in his study,
as,onished by the entrance of a singular visitor.
The visitor was a boy OF some seventeen years,
| rough and uneouth in his appearance, dressed in
| coarse homespur, with thick clumsy shoes on his
feet. an old tattered felt hat on his head, surmount
Ing mass of uneombed hair, which relieved swar-
thy ana sun burnt features, marked by eyes quick
and sparkling, but vacant, and inexpensive, from
the want OF education. The whole appearance OF
the youth was that OF untausht, uncultivated
plough boy.
The President, an uffible and venerable man,
inquired into the business of the person who stood
before him.
III you please, sir" said the ploughboy, with all
the hesitation of an unedueated rus,le-"n you
please, sir I'd like TO get some larning.' heard
you had college in these parts, aad thought II |
would work spell for you, you would help me now
and then in se,tin' an educa,ion.'
swell my young FRIEND" replied the President,
al scarcely sec any way in which you might lie
useful TO US. The request is something singular"
"Why, can bring water. cut wood, or black
your boots" interrupted tho boy, his eye brighten
ing in his earnestnesS 81 want to get an education,
Il want to make something OF myself. | don
keer how hard work, only SO as get an education.
| want"
lie paused, rta loss for words to express his
ideas. But there was language in the expressive
liz and gancins eye; there was language IN his
manner-in tbs tone in which the words were
spoken that nppea led a. 10 the feelings OF the
President
lie determined 10 Try the sincerity OF the youth
"rn afSsi1. my Young friend, that can do no
thing for you. would like TO assist you, but sec
No way in which you can be useful TO us at pre-
SEM
The presden, resumed his book. In a moment
he glanced Al the ploughboy. who, silent and mute
stood holding tho handle Of the dooE lie figured
his rough IA, contusedy with one hand-his eye:
were downcast, and HIS upper lip qaivered ond
trembicd IS though he endeavoring TO repres.
strong and sudden feelings cf intense disappoInt'
men'. The effort but half successful. A teal
emerging from the dowueas: eyelid, rolled the
Sunburnt cheek, and win quick. nervous action
the ploushboy raised his toil-hardened hand nnC
brushed way the sign OF regret.
lie made well meant but awkward mark OF
obessnce, and opening the door, had one foot
the threshold, when the President called him back
The pioughboy was, in lew minutes, hired as
man,ot.all work, and boot black 10 the - Col.
lesc.
The next scene which we give the reader. was n
| a new and magnificent church, rich with the beau
! ties OF architecture, and thronged Ivy nm immense
crowd WHO listened IN death like stiffness TO the
burning elCgucnce OF the minister Of heaven, who
delivered tie Nilsson OF his master tom .he altar
| The speaker vas uaan in the full glow OF mid
de ase-oi striking and impressive appearance
piercing, intellectual eye and high intelligent fore
4 head.
Every eye IS fixed on hm-cvery lip is hushed
and every err with nervous intensity, drinks IN the
eloquent teaching Of the orator.
VIII in all inst throns would recognize, IN the
! famed, the learned, the eloquent President OF --
/ College, Pennsylvania, the humble boot black o
- College IN Kentucky Louisville Journal.