Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-03-29
SELECT MISCELLANY.
The SIisAted scholar.

ed Cases like the one am about to relate are much
TOO frequent in our country, and they are such as
should be guarded against by all who have an in
terest in education. The incident was brought to
my mind by hearing a complaint by parent of a
poor boy, who had been grossly neglected by the
teacher of the village acknowledgement simply
because he was poor and comparatively friendless!
Many years ago, when was a small boy, 1 at
tended school in the town Of. ''.' .'
Among the scholars there was boy named
George Henry. His father was poor drinking
man. and the unfortunate boy had to suffer in con
sequence. George came to school babited in rag
god garments but they were the best he had; he
was rough and uncouth in his manners, for he had
been brought up in that manner; he was very ig-
norant, for he had never had an opportunity for
education. 81. a.
Season after season, poor George Henry occu-
pied the same seat in the school room-it was a
back seat, away from the other scholars-Qn there
he thummed his tatte-ad primer. The ragged
condition, Of his garb gave homely cast to his
whole appearance, and what of intelligence there
mighthave been in his countenance was beclouded
by the "outer covering" of the boy. He seldom
played with the other children, for they seemed to
shun HING but when he did, for while, join with
them in their sports, he was so rough that he was
soon showed off out Of the way. ..
'The,, teacher passed the poor boy coldIy in the
street. while other boys in better garbs, were kind
ly noticed. In the school, young Henry was cold
ly treated. The teacher neglected him, and then
called him an "idle block-head,' because be did
not learn. The boy received no incentive to study,
and consequently he was most of the time idle,
and idleness begat disposition to while away the
time in mischief. For this be was whipped, and
the more he was whipped the more idle and care
less, he became. lie knew that he was neglected
by the teacher simply because he was poor and
ragged and with sort Of sulen Indifference,
sharpened at times by feelings Of bitterness, he
plodded on his dark. thankless way. r.
Thus matters went on for several years. Most
Of the scholars who were of George Henry's age,
had passed on to the higher branches of study,
while he, poor fellow, still spelled out words of one
and two sylables, and still kept his distant seat in
thecorner.s His father had sunk lower in the pit
Of inebriaton, and the unfortunate boy was more
wretched than ever, ..a.,,..,.....,- ... .,-.,a
The look Of, clownish indifference which had
marked his countenance, was now giving way to
ashade Of unhappy thought and feelings, and it was
evident that the great turn, point Of life was al
hand. He now stood upon the step in life from
which the fate Of after years must take its cast
sAt this time a man by the name Of Kelly took
charge Of the school. He was an old teacher, .
careful observer Of human nature, and a really
good man. Long years Of guardianship over wild
youths had given him bluff, auth authoritative rita way
and in bis discipline he was strict and unwavering
The first day he passed in the teachers desk o.
our school, was mostly devoted to watching the
movements of the scholars. and studying the dis
positions with which he had to deal, Upon George
Henry his EYE rested with a keen, searching
glance, Bot he evidently made little of him dp
rinGyhe first days. buto on the second day he di'
mere. ,al9ni 1ol a.f4 astai 2ghG -at w ',ii
IsSwas daringo the afternoon Of the second da,
that Mr.. Kelly observed young Harry engaged j
inpsling flies upon the point Of p large pin. HI
want ta The boy'ssseat, and after reprimandinl
himfor his idleness, he took up the dirty, tattere
primer nom his desk .Is pa'f e4@Aa@l1' Ee' "
.Have you never learned more thai. i. is in thi
booktn. asked the teacher. -, ,,it,s, ~ =; ~
4No. sir. drswlsa George !, .sas...,5 n,
aAow bag Aavs SCd stssadsd schooli" a