The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-04-08
WHOLE No. SOS

am sorry you did not come in little sooner
to see them"
81 don't know" said Mr.. Maris, shaking
his head; 81 think il is rather an innovation"
IAN improvement, sir! Yes sir, you are
right. II is great improvement on the dark
days when poor children were whipped be-
cause they could not possibly sit still any
longer. This improvement, with many 9TH
ers, was introduced into the common schools
by most successful teacher, Thomas A.
Bolder, Esq, from the city"
81 don't know, said Mr. Maris, doubtfuly
shaking his head. "Well, you haven't sent
for me yeti"
'No, sir, thank you; we have had no occa-
sion. Won't you step in and hear us readf'
Well don't care if do. may find some
opportunity Of being useful"
AS the boys took their places on the floor,
there was slight disturbance, and Mr.. Mar
is exclaimed, "There are two boys crowdnp
and whisperng."
Harry fastened to them, and said in a low,
kind voice, "What is the matter, my boysr'
They hestated moment, and the one who
stood lowest replied "Enoch missed word
yesterday, and spelled it, and went above
him; and don't think it was quite fair that
should have taken his place, because he mis-
understood the word. had rather he should
keep his place"
"Well, Enoch!' said Harry, turning to the
other
"lwas very sorry to lose my place; but
was inattentivc, aud think ought to 90 be-
low James,
81 had rather he should keep bis place."
said James.
"You are both Of you very honorable and
generous, and am exceedingly pleased with
your conduct; but can't decide between YOU.
Where there are plenty Of witnesses, it is
sometimes well TO decide the case by vote of
the class; but as this seems to be anai,air be-
tween two, we must settle it by lot. Clare,
will you find two sticks Of une qual leugth, &
let them draw!''
This was soon done. Enoch Jrew,the lon
gest stick, and so retained his place.
''Perhap hin,cd Mr. Mlris, my boy has
cheated Emoch aud he are great friends"
Instantly the blood rushed to Harrv's face.
and the lightning flashed from his eyes. He
stood up, Indignantly confronting Mr. Maris.
and looking To his amazed pupils, as tall as
Goliah. With an evident struggle to master
- anger, and speaking respectfully to Mr..
Wlris--
mo, sir! you are mistaken. Your SON
does not cheat, or lie. do no, believe have
one scholar who would cheat They all
study well, and treat me well; and I would
rather any one should speak against me than
against Mcm.''
There was momentary silence, and then
John Beai (who usually sat nlo;ionless and in
attentive as stone post ito everything except.
ing his ari'hmetc) hastily rose G. requested
permission to speak, which was readily Grant
ed.
IL have attended this school," said he. with
some agitation, these eighteen years. I wa.
feruled every summer by the mistress. and
Il 'gged every winter by the master, un,iI r
was strong enough to defend myself. Until
THIS wlne-, no one has ever tried to make me
understand my studies; otherwise | should NOT
have been here now, when am almost twenty.
one years old. never saw a master trv tn
make his scholars happy before I never he.
tore 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 schoo;
who intend to behave well and help the mas.
ter
Harry stood up, with bright smile g. said
. Every one who means TO do his duty hold up
his right hand. Here is mine"
Every one Immediately elevated a hand
Soma 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 Dover, who could no longer re.
stral n his enthusiasm, proposed Three cheers
for Master Somers!'' and, in the deafeninc
hurrahs which followed, Mr. Maris effected
his escape, somewhat ashamed of himself, &.
exceedingly puzzled with this new state of
things.
There was one boy whose enthusiastic at
t empt at most signal and surprising hurrah
failed entirely, and was choakcd into a sob.
which was, fortunately unheard in the oproar.
This was Glare Mars. 1t was the first time
any body ever stood up for him, defended hi,
honor, and stood pledged ;or his truthfulness.
Il am not the good boy he thinks me-" said he
to himself; "but hencetorth | will be. He
shall not trust me for nothing"
From that time, his whole conduct snJ de-.
pertinent was so changed tor the better. that
his father, to his great surprise, never again
found an opportunity to chlstise him. Indeed.
such was the masters's influence on his broth.
ers, that the rud soon fell into disuse in that
family
Harry Somcrs, finding on inquiry that
Saturday though not holy time, was the unoc-
cupied 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. 1t was rather smaIl-woud
not comfortably seat more than fifteen; but
any number not exceeding that would be yerv
welcome. He would be glad of the opportu-
nifty to talk with them about anything which
interested them, excepting their studies,
which had better be laid aside from Saturday
noon till Monday morning, as the mind requires
rest. But they could sing, or tell stories, or
whatever they pleased" r.
This invitation. kindly and simply given,
was accepted with much pleasure, and the