Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-06-19

"I have attended this school, said he, with
some agitation, "thuse eighteen years. was
ferucd every summer by the mistress, and
foggcd every winter by the master, until was
strong enough to defend myself Until this
winter, no one has ever tried to make me un-
derstand my studics otherwise, should not
have been here now, when am almost twenty
one years old. never saw q master try to
make his scholars happy before. Inever before
saw master stand up for his scholars to save
them from blame and punishment. think we
ought all to do the very best we can to make
his task light and pleasant. should like to
know how many there are in the school who
intend to behave we'll and help the MASTER"
Harry stood up, with bright smile, and said,
Every one who means to do his duty hold up
his right hand. Here is mine."
Every one Immediately elevated hand
Some Of the girls by mistake held up the left
one and the children held up both, in their zeal
to do something popular.
Then Joe Downer, who could no longer re-
strain his enthusiasm, proposed Three cheers
for Master Somcrs !" and, in tho deafening
hurrahs which followed, Mr.. Maris effected his
escape, somewhat ashamed Of himself, and
exceedingly puzzled with this new state of
things.
There was one boy whose enthusiastic attempt
at a most signal and surprising hurrah failed
entirely, and was choked into sob, which was,
fortunately unhcard in the uproar. This was
Clara Maris. 1t was the first time anybody
ever stood up for him, defended his honor, and
stood pledged for his truthfulnoss. 81 am not
the good boy he thinks me-" said he to him.
self; "but henceforth, will be. lie shall not
trust me for nothing"
From that time, his whole conduct and de-
pertinent were so changed for the better, that
his father, to his great surprise, never ngain
found an opportunity to chastise him. Indeed,
such was the master influence on his brothers,
that the rod soon fell into disuse in that fam
lily.
Harry Somers, finding on inquiry that Sat-
urday, though not holy time, was the unoccu-
pied evening of the week, informed his school
that he would always be at home at that time,
and would be happy to see any of them at his
room. It was rather small-would not COM
fortably scat moro than fifteen; but any num-
Der not exceeding that woald be very welcome (;
He would be glad of the opportunity to talk
with them about anything which interested
them. excepting their studies, which had bet
ter be laid aside from Saturday noon till Mon
day morning, as the mind requires rest. But
they could sing, or tell stories, or whatever they
pleased
The invitation, kindly and simply given, was
accepted with much pleasure, and the Saturday
evenings thus distinguished, were SO ardently
and heartily enjoyed, that they
were obliged to " take turns" so as not to cx-
coed the specified number. Julien Svre was
with them, no longer dcspised and neglected,
but joyous and hopeful as any.
AS the schoolgirl and the small boys could
not participate in this enjoyment, Harry OBJ
tanned for the school, by tho influence OF the
Committee, tho liberty of Wednesday afternoon
which was thcnccforth devoted to the singing
of songs and glces, ending in contra Dance,
so all were delighted, and nobody found time
to quarrel with the teacher or any one else.
And with all this liberty, and music, and
sociability, without punishment, without COM
pulsion, the scholars of the Red Oaks Village
made greater progress in their studies than ever
before during many years. Besides this, the
influence of Harry's kind and gentlemanly
manner had entirely changed the rough habits,
and coarse feelings, of the young people under
his charge. Profanity and evil speaking were
banished, and contentious were hardly known
among them.
So thoroughly convinced were the parents OF
this result, that they yielded to the earnest so.
lcitations of their children, and, at tho close of
the term, engaged Harry to teach them again,
the next winter; and because he seemed to
hesitate little before replying to their propo-
sal, they offered him a larger salary than they
ever before had given.
So they gave him hearty, affectionate fare
well, which some of them could not utter, lest
the voice should break into sobs, and others
by tears.
But he came to them the second winter, and
the third, and each term was as happy and use.
full as the first. Now he can teach them no
more, as he is studying profession, and after
while we are going to have grand wedding
two weddings in one. Hettty and Jenny Bold
er will be the bridesmaids, and King George
and Julien Sivre the groomsmcn.
The latter is now receiving thorough musi-
cal education, with distinguished German
teacher, through the munifcence of his old
friend, Captain Downer. When he returns to
his island home, it will be as gentleman, and a
professor of music, with letters of introduction,
with spotless character, and elegant manners.
We shall hear of him again.