Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1852-06-04

Without appearing to be at all disturbed by
his replies Miss Westcott said. | am glad 1
have one or two large boys i'll my school; you
can be of great assistance to me, Thomas,
and If YOU will stop few minutes after
school this afternoon, we will talk over a lit
tie plan have formed
This was mystery to all, and particularly
to Tom, who could not comprehend how he
could be useful to any one, and for the first
time in his life he felt that he was Of some
importance in the world. lie had no home
training; no one ever told him that he could
be of anv use or do any good in the world.
No one loved him, and Of course he loved no
one but was one Of those who believed he
had got to bully his own Tay through the
world. He had always been called the : bad
boy at school, and he took a sort Of pride
and pleasure IN being feared by the children
and dreaded by the teacher.
Miss Westcott at once comprehended his
whole character, and began to shape her plans
accordingly She maintained that boy,
who, at twelve years old made himself feared
10y his schoOl-fellows, was capable OF beng
made something of. Heretofore all influence
had conspired to make him bad, and perhaps
IL desperate character by bringing opposite
influence to work upon him. and to effect this
she must first gain his confidence, which
could not be done in a better way than
making him feel that she placed confidence IN
him.
When school was out more than half the
scholars fingered about the door wondering
what Miss Westcott could be going To say 10
Tom Jones. He had often been bid to re-
main after school, but it was always to re-
ceive a punishment or severe lecture and
nine times out of ten he would jump out of
bo ha1f ba lv1I
Of the room but it was evidently for DIFF
ferent purpose that he was TO remain now,
and no one wondered what it could be for
more than Tom Jones.
Don't you think, Thomas, that our school
room would be gread deal pleasanter if we
had some eYergreens to hang around it
something to make it checrful!' inquired
Miss Westcott.
Yes'm, and l know where can get plenty
Of them
Well, Thomas if you will have some here
by eight O'Clock tomorrow morning, ! 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. Thorn
as You may put them in your own drawer,
they are what | want you to study
But can't study geography and history
exclaimed Tom, confused. i never did
That is the reason you think you cannot
replied Miss Westcott. | am quite sure you
can, and you will love them, know
Nobody ever cared whether | learned or
not before said Tom with some emotion.
Well, / care said Miss Wcstcott, with
earnestness. You are capable Of becoming
great and good man: You are now forming
your character for life, and it depends upon
yourself what you become. The poorest boy
III this country has an equal chance with the
wealthiest, and his circumstances are more
favorable for becoming eminent, for he learns
to depend upon himself | will assist YOU
all can in your studies, Thomas and
know you viii succecd remember that am
your friend, and come TO me in every diff
fculty'
Tom Jones had not been brought up, he
had come up, because he had been born into
the world and couldn't help it but as for
mental or moral training, he was as fruitlesS
Of 1t as wild brambic bush Of a pruning
knife. His father was an intampcrate, bad
man, and his mother was totally insufficient
woman. At home he received nothing but
blows, and abroad nothing but abuse. Ills
bad passions Were therefore all excited
and fostered; and his good ones were nernr
called out. lie always expected that his
teachers would hate him, so he whetted anew
hIs combatlve powers to oppose them, and he
had made up his mind to turn the new
school ma'm' out of doors When. there
fore, Miss Westcott declared that She was
glad TO have him in her school. he was
amazed; and that she should manifest an
interest IN him, and give him a set of books,
was perfectly incomprehensivc to him. Miss
Nestcott understood his position and char
acter, and determined to modify him. She
no " L, &
bad actions though the bad had now pre-
dominated. She knew that his active mind
must be busy; one might as we'll think Of
chalnmg the lightning as bending down by
force that wild spirit to his books. She
would give him employment, but such as
would call out new set Of IDEAS and
thoughts. He must feel that he was doinr
good to others and for others sake. and that
ne was not guided alone by his own wavward
viii, and yet there must be no aI,12eryagcc
OF restraint upon him he must cto1Sc to
do good.
Tom Jones went home that night with
new feeling in his breast; for the first time
IN MS LIE he felt that he was capable OF risinr
/ above his present position and becoming
greater and better than he was His mind
became inundated with new and strong
/ emotions, and like mighty river turned
from from IT'S course, hls thoughts and energies
from that hour sought new direction.
The next morning he was up with the
dawn, and when Miss Westcott arrived at the
school house, she found Tom Jones there
with his evergreens.
Good morning Thomas she said kindly.
and so you are here before me Won must
have risen early, and have found some beauti-
ful evergreens; and now if you viii heIp rne
/ them, VIC will have ali the room arranged by
nine o'clock
have brought hammer and some nails
sald Tom, / thought we should need some
Yes, so we shall; | am glad you thought