Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-03-29
q don't know. sir. It's ever since can re-

SI don't know, sir. It's ever since can re-
member" -..#r
"Then you must be an idle, reckless boy, )" said
the teacher, with much severity. ado you realize
how many years you have lostl What sort of a
man do you think of making in this wayl One OF
these days you will be too old to go to school, and
then, while your companions are seeking some
honorable employment, you will be good for moth
ing. Have you any parentsr' ,........
eyes, sir," answered the boy in hOarse, sub
dued voice. a
Sand do they wish you to grow up to be an ig-
norant, worthless manp 5 .#n s,.
The boy hung down his head and was silent,
but Mr. Kelly saw two great tears roll down his
cheeks. In an instant the teacher saw that he
had something besides an idle, stubborn mird to
deal with in the ragged scholar before him. He
laid his hand on the boys head, and in kind tone
he said: ..
"I wish you to stop after school is dismissed.
Do not be afraid, for Twsh to assist you if can. -
George looked up wonderingly into his masters
face, for there was something in the tone of the
voice which fell upon his ear that sounded strange
y to him, and he thought too, us he looked around
that the rest of the scholars regarded him with
kinder countenances than usual A dim thought
broke in upon his mind that, from some cause, he
was going to be happier than before.
After the school was dismissed, George Henry
remained in his seat till the teacher called him to
the desk. -.
"Now,' said Mr.. Kelly, 81 wish to know how
it that You have never learned any more. You
look bright, and you look as though you might
make smart man. Why is it that find you SO
ignorant!" ...... Fl. .ra as
because nobody never helps me, sir" replied
the boy. "Nobody never cares for me, for am
poor"
"By degrees the kind-hearted teacher got the
poor boys whole history, and while generous tears
bedewed his eyes, he said: t'.a H'
"You have been 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 ear
nest tones. "Yes-I should love to learn. don
want to be bad boy he thrillingly added, while
Mr.. Kelly promised to purchase books for the
boy as fast as he could learn to read them, and
when George Henry left the school room, his face
was wet with tears We scholars, who had re-
maned 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 heart was too full for utterance. .,..
On the next day George Henry commenced
studying in good earnest, and the teacher helped
him faithfully. Never did see change so radi-
ant and sudden as that which took place in the
habits of the poor boy. Fl .l. .r.
AS soon as the teacher treated him with kind
ness and respect, the scholars followed the exam.
pie, and the resu 1t was, that we found in the un-
fortunate youth one Of the most noble-hearted,
generous, accommodating and truthful paymates
in the world. ,a ., .r >t -...,.nf 1..
Long years have passed since those school-boy
days George Henry has become man of mid
die age, and in all the country there is not man
more beloved und respected than IS he. And all
is the result of one teacher having done his duty.
You who are school-teaclers, remember the du-
ty that devolves upon YOU In this 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 endesvor to lift him up and
aid him. sr.r.-, .. .u .r..... ,..,. t...f
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