Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-05-28
Sighted Scholar.

ien' vi poor boy, who had been grossly neglect
ed by the teacher of the village school, neglecte
SIMPLY because he was poor and comparatiyel
friendess
many years ago, when was small boy, | at
tended school in the town Of
Among the scholars there was a how named
George Henry. His father was a DOOR dr;nk;no
man, and the unfortunate boy had to suffer in CON,
sequence. George came to school nabited in rag
ged 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
ignorant, for he had never had an opportunity for
ducatiOn. ...-.... r. .-... ...,. -,-
Season after season. poor George Henry occupi
ed the same seat in the school room,-t was a
back corner seat away from the other scholors
ragged condition of his garb gave homely cast
to his whole appearance, and what of intelligence
there might have been in his countenance was be
clOuded by the "outer covering" of the boy. He
seldom played with other children, for they seemed
| to shun him; but when he he did. for awhile join
with them in their sports he was 30 rough that he
| was soon showed OFF ont 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 bockhead because he did not
! learn. The boy received no incentive to study,
and consequently he was most of the time idle, and
ideness begat disposition to while away the time
in mischief. For this he was whipped, and the
hp yaS ubi tbav IL II l..
became. He knew that he was neglected by the
teacher simply because he was poor and ragged,
and with sort Of sullen indifference sharpened at
times by feelings of bitterness he plodded on his
dark, thankless way. ....... .
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 the words of
one and two sylables, ndst kept his distant seat
in the corner. His father had sunk lower in the
pit of inebriation, and the unfortunate boy was
more wretched than ever ... .. ....
The look of clownish indifference which had
marked his countenance was now giving way to
shade of unhappy thought and feeling, and it
was evident that the great turn point of his life
was at hand. He stood now upon the step in life
from which the fate of after years must take its
cast.
At this time by the name of Kelly took
charge of the school, He was an old teacher,
careful observer of human nature, and really
good man. Long years of guardianship over wild
youths had given him bluff authoritative way,
and in his discipline he was strict and unwav0ring.
The first day he passed in the teachers desk of
our school was mostly devoted to watching the
movements ofthe scholars and the studying of dis
positions with which he had to deal Upon George
Henry his eye rested with keen, searching glance
But he evidently made little of him during the
first day, but on the second he did more.
1t was during the afternoon of the second day
that Mr.. Kelly observed young Henry engaged in
impelling flies upon the point of large pin. He
went to the boys seat, and after reprimanding him
for his idleness, he took up the dirty, tattered
primer.
Have you never learned more than is in this
book?' asked the teacher
No, Sir" drawled George.
" How long have you attended SCHOOL,"
:" 1 don't know SIR. It's ever since | can re-
member"
:" 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 yon have lost? What sort of
made do you think of making in this way? 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 parents"
Yes, sir" answered the boy, in hoarse, sub
dued voice.
And do they wish you to grow up to be an
ignorant worthless mani"
The boy hung down his head aad was silent, but
Mr. Kelly saw two great tears roll down his cheeks
In an instant the teacher saw that he bad some
thing besides an idle, stubborn mind to deal with
in the ragged scholar before him. He laid his
hand on the boys head, and in kind tone he sad |
Il wish you to stop after school is dismissed |
Do not be afraid for wish 10 assist you if l can.
George looked up wonderingly into the masters
face for there was something in the tone Of the
voice which fell upon his that sounded strange
" to him. and he thought. too he looked around,
that the rest of the scholars regarded him with
kinder counteuances than usual. A dim thought
broke in upon his mind that from some cause he
was going TO he happier than before.
After school was dismissed, George Henry re-
manned in his seat till the teacher called him to the
desk.
"Now," said Mr.. Kelly, :" wish to know why
it is 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
iguoraat?'' .....
Because nobody never helps Eae, sir replied
the boy Nobody never cares foe me, for / am
poor"
By degrees the kind-earted teacher got
the boys whole history, and while generous tears
bedewed his eyes, he said:
"You have been wrongly tread, Gee,ge-very
wrongly; but there is time for redemption. If l
will try to teach you, will YOU try to learr2'
"Yes-o yes" !" quickly uttered the boy iaearnest
tones "Yes-I should love to learn don't
want to be bad boy he thrillingy added 'Ts'ile
his eounteuanee glowed with unwonted aniHlatfan.
Mr.. Kelly promised to purchase books tor the
| bov as fast as he could learn to read theni' and
whom George Henry left the school room, his face
| ,uo. ri4h tears We scholars, who had re-
| Vs. ont and 0pr