The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-08-17
COLUMN FOR CHILDREN.


The Squirrel; or, The Honest Boy.
Little Edward always spoke the truth.
don't know that he ever in his life told
lie. Nor would he act lie. In the school
where he went, it was rule that there
should be no whispering among the schol.
ars during school-hours, without leave from
the teacher. Every one who broke the
rule had bad mark. Edwards father
had promised him little wheel barrow at
the end ofthe school-term, if he had none.
The school.house stood in beautiful
place, near fine grove where the birds
sang and built their nests. and the lively
little squirrels leaped and played. There
was rail.fence behind the school house,
not far from the window where Edward sat.
One day, bold and merry little red squir-
rel came running fast along the fence, and
seating itself on the topmost rail, seemed
to be looking into the school-house. 1t so
happened that just then Edward raised his
eyes from his book. He forgot himself
| and the teachers rule about whispering:
"See, see that squirrel!" he exclaimed to
John, the boy next to him.
"He wants to come to school," said
John, beginning to laugh.
j go, forgot; we must not talk" said
Edward.
| The squirrel with bound came down
from its high seat toward the window.
"He's coming to school sure enough -
said John, "we'll have him in our class,
won I we?"
The teacher heard him, and asked ifhe
} was not breaking a rule.
81 wasn't talking much," replied John,
bending his head low to his book and study.
ing very fast with his lips.
"Still you were talking, and must give
; you bad mark" said the teacher.
: Edward thought of the wheelbarrow
but like manly, honest boy, he spoke out
Il am sorry, sir; but whispered without
leave too.''
81 did not see you,' said the teacher.
81 talked first ;EEperhaps John wouldn'
have talked if it had not been for me-
forgot the rule minute"
"You must have a bad mark too, then, >
D said the teacher; "but you are an homes
boy to own the truth and suffer disgrace
rather than sit still and act lie. You die
wrong to disobey. but ! am very glad tha
r you were honorable enough to confess it
and dutiful enough to be sorry for it,
: Edward had never had bad mark be
: fore. and felt the shame Of it very much
!. He also thought he had lost the wheelbar
: row, with which he had planned so many
J. fine plays of drawing little loads Of board
: peddler's wares and garden produce. H,
:. felt as if he should cry, but he held bacl
$ his tears, and studied away as we'll as h.
+ could with heavy heart.
e One morning after this, when Edwar,
: was the FIRST one at school, he was sur
4 prised to see the teachers inkstand upset
n the ink split over the table. ana dripping
}, upon the floor. When the teacher came
= and asked who did this mischief, no one q
first answered; but on further inquiry, sew
eral said at once, s'It was so when came
!. and there was nobody here but Edward.
e "Did you do it, Edward Z" said tn
i. teacher.
,fI "No, sir"
IS "Somebody must have done it. All wa
D, right when unlocked the school.hous
l. door and went for a walk. Who was tn
: first at school this morning?
edward, Edward, }" was the answer.
+. Edward joined with the others, ether
10 was no one here when came, but the in
?, was split then.''
= = SIT is very strange" said the teacher
IS .'but believe you; l know you are a
le honest boy, for you confessed the whis
Al pering when no one accused you. w
e ee will wait, and am sure the guilty one wi
- :. be found out''
n The children looked around, wonderin
o who the guilty one was, and thinking no,
p badly he must feel. 81 know it WASH
> Edward" they said to each other, "for h
e tells when he does wrong, though nobod
e knows it. He wouldn't keep still the ott
: er day TO save his mark, and beautif,
'e wheelbarrow too, that his father was goin
: : to give him." saint he good boy 2
d "Who could have split the ink % So the
,e talked till school began, but found o,
" nothing.
E. School was not over, however, befor
r. there was giggllng among the little one
,e nearest the table, and some of them pres:
IN ed their hands tightly over their mouths I
ID keep it in.
" "Children,' said the teacher, in a ton
u of reproof, "what is the matter %
= Instead of drawer, there was but
shelfin the table, and on the front edge
So this sat cunning little squirrel, peepin
:. | forth ~ CO. if ha ynioht eafa1v vantnro fro,