The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-06-08
COLU MN FOR CHILDREN.
The Idle SchOol-B0v.

times 60 home from school tired and fret
full, and complain of the unkindness OF
their teacher, because he makes them learn
their lessons. Sometimes they tease their
parents to let them stay at home and play.
Now we hope no little boy or girl who
reads the Student will ever do this. If any
Of you have at times wished your teacher
would not require you to study, or that
your parents would not send you to school,
remember the following story of the Idle
Schoolboy:
81 hate my teachers, | hate my school, !
hate the very sight ofmy books!" exclaim-
ed bright-eyed boy. as he returned from
school and threw his satchel on the table.
"Why, Henry, what has happened now?"
"Happened why, that good. form othing
teacher kept me after school. because
forgot my lesson. | wish was man,
do-,hers J" he peltishly exclaimed; "then
| should have nothing to do with these
hateful declensions, these ugly moods and
tenses.''
81 think an ugly mood has considerable
to do with you now, Henry" said his
mother, half smiling. 81 am sorry you
are so angry, so uncourteous in your lam
guage, but, above all, so prejudiced against
your books
Swell, mother, to be punished for for.
getting, as if | could help it."
"Was it forgetfulness or ignorance?''
asked Mrs. Hall, quietly.
I'm sure studied hard enough an.
swered the boy, blushing slightly ; it's the
very lesson I've had three times over
mo wonder the teacher kept you to
learn your lesson,' said his mother, with a
reproachful look
| Hateful teacher continued Henry,
hardly noticing her reprimand; why is ii
some boys have to dig off to school every
day? wish was Tom jerks his moth
er got him fine place in a store, where he
has half dollar week. only think and
you are as poor as Mrs. Jenks, and need
the money as much. Do let me come from
school, MOTHER =s
| No, Henry. You little know the mis-.
| cry that an entire want Of education en-.
tails on youth. had rather suffer al.
most every plivation; would willingly
live ON bread and water, to secure you
such learning as will make you independ.
enl of the world when am gone. have
wept many time, thinking of my only
sons ingratitude toward mother who
is striving to benefit him constantly. Oh
Henry, you would only love your school!
Henry looked down with a very red face
and bit his lip.
| sYou see William Saunders pass here
every day. continued Mrs. Hall; now 81
down moment, and will tell you some
thing about him; for knew him when hi
was very young. He, | presume, little
thought tha, at the age Of thirty he shoult
go bending beneath his saw,horse, hi
cheek sallow, his health ruined by early
idleness and dissipation. But all this a
rose from his hatred for his book
! slow so, mother?'
why. have frequently seen him 60 t'
school, crying, and uttering all kinds o
maledictions on every thing connected
with it. just as you so often do. His moth
er strove for long time to keep him t
his studies, till at last, tired with the trouble
he constantly caused her, instead Of urging
him on with pleasant inducements, or com
pelling him to go. she weakly surrendered
to his entreaties, and the idle boy though
that he had obtained complete happiness
He avoided school companions, AM
found more congenialty in those who's
tastes were similar to his own-whos
leisure time was occupied in foolish amuse
ments. At first, his pride revolted from
the really vulgar and low yeuths who sur
rounded him, but his foolish love OF pleas
ure and fun soon reconciled him to thei
society, for many of them were not owe
honest. and did not scruple to use mean
unlawfully obtained, to crafty themselves
1t was not long before he became reckless
and spendthrif.
However, at the age Of twenty.six, h
reformed, partially, but his character wa
almost ruined, and his mind entirely un
cultivated. a little learning. now, woul
have been Of great value to him; but h
was no accountant, wre:ched scrawlel
in fact he was fit for no genteel employ
ment - *s
II remember my sorrow-he was so fin
looking a young man-when | saw hin
doing small jobs for porter-houses. or en-
gagged in that most contemplate employ
ment, rinsing glasses for the bar.keeper.-
He seemed to have lost all energy. Fl
s nally, he married pretty, ignorant gir