New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-10-09
From the Christian Citizen.
. Tobi, viii. 2 APP

OuT
A STORY CONTAINING A MORAL FOR THOSE WHO
CAN DISCOVER IT.
AARON HORTON, A. NJ. was the teacher OF our
school, and a good old man he was. He was not, II
is true wise above other men, very clear head
ed excepting in Latin and Greek, aud mathematics.
He did not seem 10 know much beyond his voca-
tion-that of teaching the young idea how TO shoot
into examiners and lexicons. He wrote most clas-
sicalv aud beautifully and his pronunciation was
without fault, that must be confessed. He never
dreamed-the good old man-that anything was
needed for boys excepting what he was accustomed
20 teach and as for their behaving better he would
saw don't they now behave as well as boys did
when was a boy = 1t was pattern school None
of the modern ollics, rash experiments, and anaii-
cal notions had crept into 1t. The good master had
a holy horror of all Innovations he loved the past
old books old houses old customs. He bowed his
head most revereniy to the older, and expected as
a matter Of course that the young would do rever-
ence TO him He loved quiet life. good living the
prompt pay of the quarter bills and be was never
disturbed or troubled except whenhls boys happen
ed TO behave very much worse, or very much better
than was their wont
Ofcourse he was sadly perplexed one day, when
he was told that one of the boys John Webster, had
struck another Charles Edwards. and Charles had
no, returned the blow He could comprehend how
il happened that one boy struck another for that
was not uncommon; he had done so himself when
a, school, and had been logged for it by bis master
that was all straight But the orbearance at Charles
this to him was a mystery must look into II,
saws he Charles is no coward. see that by his
looks There is something ont OF rule in this
don't recollect such case | never have heard OF
such q thing. except among the fanatical Quakers,
and il can't be that such folly has crept into my
school 1t would be most disgraceful Why
could nj these boys have fought II out like men, and
kept the whole from my ears
4 sh.I1 b.ya N
give to the school my notions Of what self defence
demands of us-after whipping the boy who fought
The next morning the school assembled as usual
Every boy was Ia his place. In walked Master Hor-
ton with more than his usual dignity. He ascend
ed the desk, opened the Bible, read chapter, and
then PRAYED in exactly the same words he had used
the whole of his school life, finishing with the Lord
PRAYER asking forgiveness as we forgive others
PRAYER concluded he called before him the cul-
pri,s John. knowing that all defence was vain,
plead guilty. in the hope of some mi,ig alton Of the
punishment " | thought Charles pushed me and
struck him. for was very angry.
You have done exceeding wrong, exclaimed
Master Horton, you have broken the law OF the
school bens angry is no excuse one wrong does
not excuse another" Growing eloquent he raised
his voice placed himself in oraiorical attitude
and continued" YOU know that l have forbidden
al auarrelline and fighting among my scholars, and
as long as am at the head OF the school. Will pun
i.h every boy who strikes another. no matter Tor
what. What is the use of laws which you can break
when Won please Prepare for punishment Some
BOY there hand me the rod
Here. Charles Edwards. who up TO this time, had
stood by. calmly and TRANQUILITY. burst out. please
forgive him. sir he did not hurt me do forgive
/ him e.
Be silent replied the Master Sc | have. reck
oning with YOU too, SIR
Johns punishment was more severe than usual
/ for Master Horton very much excited, butpoor
/ John bore /. without wincing.
/ Ills supposed BY some that man may become
~ much accustomed to using the rod. to be able
10 use il without being angry, and without getting
angry IN the process, and may strike with perfect
esuanmi,v of temper Not 80 on this occasion, al
least with Master Horton. His inward feelings
svmoa,hized with the outward act and after John
had been soundly whipped. Master Houon looked
"a Il he would ike to have another victim.
So he turned toward Charles. q" Now don't think
10 impose upon me with all your affected kindness
/ have dealt with too many boys for thai. rii
know the whole. Now tell me why you did not
come 10 me and complain when John struck you, oil
WHY you did not Try to defend yoursefl Are you
I fool or q coward
Nv father" said Charles when he sent me &c
TN, school told me never to tight"
o. All right" said the Master: He is a wise man
give the same rule 10 my scholars. l have Jds