Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-07-27

At first the young practican paid no attention
whatever to the lad, but when he earnestly re-
peated his request, he said, sneeringly: ~
| "I-I am engaged. Who was your waiter last
lyear?"
s'Just give me lift; it will take but moment -
"Who are youa' replied the little aristocrat.
| 81 am James Conner.'
| "Weli, you father is laboring man, let him
help you.' - 2
Just at that moment Beacon street lady, plain
| ~ but richly dressed, approached like good
angel, and after folding her parasol, cheerfully
assisted him, and then with a bouyant step, a
| light heart, and pleasant face went on her way
rejoicing. r. "
l. 1t is impossible to perform good deed with a
good design without reaping reward in this life,
even; and it is often greater act of charity to
aid child with his bundle, than to make great
donations to be trumpeted through the world
The act of purchasing an orange or paper for a
poor child is, in the estimation of some great and
good men, under certain circumstances, deed
of more consequence, than distributing largely
enough to endow university. Good deeds, like
good seeds, may be out of sight and buried in the
soil-but, as the gentle shower and the genial
sun will quicken the latter to life, and cause them
to rise in vernal loveliness and beauty, SO will
kind Providence bring out the disinterested and
noble deeds of the great hearted, who love to dc
good. : - @.,'
A few months after the occurrence which have
stated, it was announced through the medium oi
a. Al h,o 1so
ton at one of the common schools, and the par
ents and other interested parties were most re-
spectfully invited to attend. . -. --=e< .---
A gold medal was to be given to the best schol-
ar, silver medal to the second best, and hand
some book to the third best. The teachers, and
the taught, spared neither pains nor time to make
the requisite preparations, SO as to appear to the
best advantage at the exhibition. The boys (some
of them at all events9 got up early and sat up
late, SO as to thoroughly master their lessons.
! Atth appointed time the largest room in the
building was filled with scholars and spectators.
Most critically and searchingly were the scholars
examined in all the common branches,--and as
usual, in Boston, there fayoriteism display
ed in the examination. 5 s:ev4s<-sn1@= -
It is worthy here to remark, that the principal
/ competitors for the most valuable prize were two
/ boys of nearly the same age and size, although
dissimilar in every other respect. One was a
patrician, the other plebeian-one was elegant
ly dressed in snperfne cloth, decorated with shin
/ ing buttons, the other wore garments that were
patched and threadbare. One lived ina splendid
mansion: that commanded view of the, Common
the other lived in rekety old crow's-nest of a
house, in dirty lane, in.an abseure part of the
city The father of the former was millionaire
1-the father of the latter was one of the million
/ One had nothing to do but study his lessens--the
other employed portion of his time when out O
school, in doing errands to earn something to helE
in supporting his brother and sisters. f.
! After a severe, yet fair examination, the gole
; medal was awarded to the poor boy. .-=sss,.
! "Who is that lad! . inquired the Hon. Georgt
Burton, the father of the unsuccessful eompetito
for the prize. 49, *s 2; sse.%
t ellis nameis James Conner," replied the teach
fer. .e ~
Conner, Conner! Why, that is an Irish name
j Eyes, the boys parents came from Ireland, bu
he was born in this country >--.-r-s..- .-.-
!, swell, declare, he has the true grit in him.
eyes, indeed ; he is punctual clock, an.
extraordinary intellectual powers" -..z-. 81.
! ''What is his fathers occupation, pray!'' 81.
/: "He carries hod, sir, and I am sorry to inform
: fyou that he sometimes puts the bricks intoh ha
} instead of putting them into his hod-but tn
: boys mother is remarkable woman-she is al
2 honest hard-working, and tidy creature, and YER
. anxious to give her son good educaton.'' ~
ssThat boy ought to go into one of our hghe
d schools -4 .ss- .-
t "He could have gone there some time ago, bu
f his parents were too poof"to purchase the book
and apparatus that he needed said the teacher
: The Hon. Mr.. Burton tore scrap from hi
2 memorandum, on which he wrote check for tilt
t dollars. - .-- ..-.-. ..l..-. ..,.g....s. .-
"Give that to the boys MOTHER said the mag
e nanimous merchant; 'and tell her to send her SO
f to high school, and whenever fuads are needed t
defray the expenses Of his education, tell her t
y call on me- ....s g-r- III .,~-,.. - -.
a CHAPTER II. --
!, MAGNIFICENT LADY.