The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-10-14

was mostly ueVoteu 10 watching the NOV
ments of the scholars, and studying the di
positions with which he had to deal. Upo
George Henry his eye rested with a kee
: searching glance. But he evidently mad
{ little Of him during the first day, but on tn
second he did more. 1t was during the a
q ternoon of the second day that Mr.. kelle
observed young Henry engaged in impalin
flies upon the point of large pin. He wen
to the boys seat, and after reprimandng hr
; for his idleness, he took up the dirty, tattere
primer from his desk.
"Have you never learned more than is il
this book7" asked the teacher.
"No, sir" drawled George.
"How long have you attended schools"
81 don't know, sir. It's ever since I car
remember"
"Then you must be an idle, reckless boy,
said the teacher, with much severity. "Do
you realize how many years you have thrown
away! Do you know how much you have
lost! What sort of man do you think Of
making in this wayl One of these days you
will he too old to go TO school, and then, while
your companions are seeking some honorable
employment, you will be good for nothing.
Have you any parents!"
"Yes, sir" answered the boy, in hoarse,
subdued tone.
Sand do they wish you to grow up to be
an ignorant, worthless mani"
The boy hung down his head, and was
silent; but Mr.. Kelley saw two great tears
roll down his cheeks. In an instant, the
teacher saw that he had something besides
an idle, stubborn mind to deal with in the
ragged scholar before him. He laid his hand
upon the boys head, and in kind tone, he
said:
81 wish you to stop after school is dismiss
sed. Do not be afraid, for wish to assist
you if can"
George looked up wonderingly into the
masters face, for there was something in the
tones of the voice which fell upon his ear
that sounded strangely to him; and he though,
too, as he looked around, that the rest OF the
scholars regarded him with kinder counter.
ances than usual. A dim thought broke in
upon his mind that, from some cause, he was
going 20 be happier than before.
Alter the school was dismissed, George
Henry remained in his seat till the teacher
calleu MN 10 tne deSK
"Now," said Mr.. Kelley, 81 wish to know
how it is that you have never learned any
more. You look bright, and you look as
though you might make a smart man. Why
is it that find you 30 ignorant!"
"Because nobody ever helps me, sir,' re-
piled the boy. "Nobody cares for me, for I
am poor"
By degrees the kind hearted teacher got the
poor boys whole history, and while generous
tears bedewed his eyes, he said:
"You have been very wrongly treated
George-very wrongly; but there is yet time
for redemption. If will try to teach you,
will you try to learnt"
"Yes,-O, yes" quickly uttered the boy in
earnest tones. "Yes,-I should love to learn.
l don't want to be bad boy" he thrillingly
added, while his countenance glowed with
animation.
Mr.. Kelley promised to purchase books for
the boy as fast as he con,,i learn to need them,
and when George Henry left the school room,
his face was wet with tears. We scholars,
VINO had remained in the entry, saw him come
out and our hearts were warmed towards him.
We spoke kindly to him, and walked with
him to his house, but his own heart was too
full for utterance.
On the next day George Henry commenced
studying in good edrnest, and the teacher
helped him faithfully. Never did l see a
change SO radical and sudden as that which
took place in the habits of the poor boy AS
soon as the teacher treated him with kindness
and respect, the scholars followed the example,
and the result was, that we found in the un-
fortunate youth one of the most noole-heart-
ed, generous, accommodating, and truthful
playmates in the world. is
Time passed on, and the boys mind ex-
panded with the approach of budding man
hood. He learned rapidly and easily, and he
fairly outstripped many of those who had
long years the start OF him in the intellectu-
al race. He grew eloquent as he grew older,
and with his calm, kind eloquence he saved
his father from the slough of intemperance,
and raised him up to be once more man.
Long years have passed since those school
boy days. George Henry has become man
of middle-age, and in all the country there is
not man more beloved and respected than
is he. And all this is the result of one teach
er's having done his duty. You who are
school teachers, remember the responsibility
that devolves upon you. In the country OF
free schools, there should be no distinction
between classes. All are alike entitled to
your care and counsel, and the more weak the
child, the more earnest should be your en-.
deavors to lift him up and aid him.