The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1850-05-09
this afternoon, we will talk over little plan

have formed.
This was very mysterious 10 all, and par
iicularly 10 Tom, who could no, comprehend
how he could be useful 10 any one, and for
the first time in his life he felt that he was Of
some importance in the world. He had no
home ,raining no one had ever told him he
could be of any use or do any good in the
world. He had always been called the bad
boy at school. and he ,oSk a kind of pride
and pleasure in being feared by the children
and drea, cd by the teacher
Miss Wescott at once comprehended bis
whole character, and began to shape her
plans accordingly. She maintained that u
boy who at twelve years old made himself
feared aEiong his school fellows, was capa.
BILE of being made something Of Heretofore
all influence had conspired 10 make him bad
and perhaps desperate character; she was
determined to transform his character by
bringing opposite influences 10 work upon
him, and 10 effect this, she must gain his
confidence; which could be done in no bet
ter way than by making him feel that she
placed confidence in him. When school
was out, more than halfth scholars fingered
about the door, wondering what Miss Wes-
colt could be staying 10 Tom Jones. He had
often been bid TO remain after school; but il
was always TO receive punishment or severe
Lectures; and nine times out of ten he would
jump out of the window before half the scbol-
ars were out of the room but it was evi-
denily for a different purpose that he was to
remain now. and no one wondered more
what i, could be than Tom himself
"Don't you think, Thomas, that our school
room would be great deal pleasanter if we
had some evergreens 10 hang around il;
something 10 make it look cheerful!r in.
CURED Miss Wescott.
"Yes'm, and | know where can get plen.
ty of them"
"Well, Thomas, if you will have some
here by eight o'clock 10 morrow morning I
will be here 10 help you put them up, and
we will give the children pleasant surprise;
and here are some books will give YOU
Thomas; you may put them in your drawer;
they are what want you 10 study"
"But can't study geography and history"
exclaimed Tom, confused, II never did"
THAT is the reason why you think you
cannot" replied Miss Wescot. 'T am quite
sure you can, and you will love them I
know"
"Nobody ever cared whether I learned
any thing or not, BEFORE" said Tom, with
some emotion.
"Well, care" said Miss Wescoti, with
eamestness; "you are capable Of becoming
great and good man; you are now forming
your character for life, and il depends upon
yourself what you become. The poorest
boy in this country has an equal chance with
the weallhiest and his circumstances are
more favorable, for becoming eminent, for
he learns 10 depend on himself | will as.
sist you all can in your studies, Thomas,
ard know you will succeed; remember
that am your friend, and come 10 me in ev.
cry difficulty
Tom Jones had not been brought up, he
had come up, because he had been borne
iLto the world and couldn't help it; but as for
any mental or moral training, he was as
guiltless of it as wild bramble bush of
pruning knife. His father was an intempe.
rate bad man. and his mother was totally
inefficient woman. At home he received
nothing but blows, and abroad nothing but
abuse. His bad passions were therefore all
excited al d fostered, and his good ones nev.
er called out. He always expected that his
teachers would hate him, SO he whet,ed a.
new his combative powers 10 oppose them,
and he had made up his mind 10 turn the
''new school ma'am" ont of doors When,
therefore, Miss Wescott declared she was glad
to have him in her school, he was amazed;
and that she should manifest an interest for
him, ard give him new set of books, was
perfectly incomprehensib 20 him. Miss
Wescott understood his position and charac-
ter, and determined 10 modify them. She
felt that he was equally capable of good and
bad actions, thongh tho bad predomina,ed
She knew that his active mind must be busy:
one might as soon think of claiming the
lightning, as binding down by force tha,
wild spirit 10 his books. She would give
him employment, but such as would call out
n new set of ideas and thoughts. He must
feel that he was doing good to others and for
oihers' sake, and that he was not guided a
lone by his own wayward will, and yet there
mast be no appearance of restraint upon
him, he must choose to do good
Ton Jones went home that night with a
new feeling ii, his breast; for the first time
in his life he felt ,hct he was capable of ri
sing above his present coi:diiion and becom-
ing something greater and better than he
then was. His mind became Inundated
with new and strange emotions, and like
mighty river tuning from its course, his
tho1ghis and energies from that hour sought
new direction.
The next morning he was up with the
dawn, and when Miss Wescott arrived at the
school house she found Tom there with his
evergreens.
"Good morning, Thomas" she said kind.
ly, "and so you are here before me; you
must have risen early, andyou have found
some beautiful evergreens; and now if you
will help me hang them, we will have the
room well arranged by nine o'clock"
alT q