The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-02-19


if she is wee bit of thing, she's pretty
good stuff. She has showed out to-day,
and made them "toe the mark" | tell you"
81 won't 90 to school to her," muttered
the boys, winking ccmically at each other
from under their slouched mats
"Do you hear thatl" said the farmer,
looking around with an approving smile.
THAT sounds like it,"
81 believe we have judged her too hasti.
ly," said Mr.. Hastings.
SHOW is it, Parsons. did she get the up
perhand of your boy?" asked one.
"She served him just right; believe
she is a good school-marm." Here he
enlarged upon the importance of corpore-
al punishment, spoke freely OF Dicks
wounds, and boastingly described the
manner in which he had driven him 10
school.
The boys nudged one another, and
Dick, who had previously told his own
story, mid laughter and shouts. produced
the sweetmeats, ard after shaing them
comically in his hands, passed them round
among the boys.
'Don't laugh" said boding Bill. who
had been detained from school the whole
day,-''there's danger yet" Then. in a
louder tone, he called out, 81 am glad
don't CO." "But you wiH 60, young man, y
said his father, shaking his finger with
great decision, "and that, too, tomorrow
morning"
Annie, who fortunately chanced to have
a retired and quiet boarding place, heard
nothing of all this. Though boisterous
without, peace reigned within the precincts
of her domain, and she quietly tested the
superior power of moral suason. She
was exerting sacred influence over the
kind, yet long untutored hearts of her pu
pills, rousing their dormant faculties, slim
ulating and encouraging them. AS Spring s
welcome footsteps, her approach was ever
hailed by grateful hearts and smiling faces;
and many desert waste within, began to
"rejoice and blossom =" She possessed a
natural talent for music, with one of the
sweetest voices in the world. The scourge
was seldom used by her, and instead of
curses and groans wrung from outraged
and indignant young hearts, by the need
less violence of ignorant, though well
meaning ones, the glad, free songs of hap
py childhood, were echoed round! And
why should it not be so? Why not render
pleasant, instead Of irksome, the very ma
ny school hours OF ever restless childhood?
| Why bind. by the frosts Of unkindness!
Though prone 10 evil, the natural impulses
Of many young heart are noble, gene
rous and kind. Parents and teachers, in
your zeal, beware of binding and crush
ing these best and highest teachings Of
i nature.
| How often do we hear it said, "He is a
bad boy, but after all there seems to be
something good about him. He has kind
heart" If so-if he has kind heart,
and still is bad boy, some unfortunate
and unhealthy influences are at work
around him. Even now. by judicious
management, that kind heart may be made
a blessing to mankind. Do not show your
selves discouraged in his behalf and thus
drive him to despair. lie needs encour.
agement, and if happily directed in the
right path, he may be saved; even then,
full enough Of care and trouble will be his.
But if he is not thus directed, ruin awaits
him.
But this is rather lengthy DEPRESSION,
and we will return to our story.
Things were going on very smoothly
with Annie and her school, until Mr.. Lar.
kins, with his spade on his shoulder, not
in the best humor, by any means, hap
pened that way just as the children were
singing their morning song. He paused
and listened. "What! singing in schooll'
cried he. "No. no! the schoolmarm is
a woman Of too good sense for that He
passed on a short distance, then stopped
again. "That's it, sartin," said he, str.
king his spade into the ground in an excl
ted manner. "And 'twont never do. An
old man like me, digging and delving for
that youngster, and he spending his time
in such nonsense, instead of larning. II
folks employ children, they must expect
children's play; but I'll 60 right to the
committee man; I'll put stop TO it right
off!"
AT noon, as Annie was returning from
school, with quite number OF her happy
flock around her, she saw three gentlemen
in the distance, apparently engaged in
earnest conversation. Her curiosity was
somewhat reused, as this was rather an
unusual sight, in that retired spot. As
they advanced, she recognized in the be-
merchandising old gentleman, DIR. Green,
who acted as examining committee, and
whose house she had several times visited.
The second was Mr.. Larkins, the third
stranger in the place.
| "Good morning, Mr.. Larkins; good
morning, DOCTOR" said she, her blue eyes
dancing with unfeigned pleasure.
| Mr.. Larkins nodded his head sullenly,
but the doctor cordially extended his hand,
and said, with fatherly kindness, "How
are you, my daughterl Well and happy,
Ito all anDearance2r