Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-08-09
THE srTGHrEuGBoY

- 49, - - $500 u
ing a complaint made blythe parent Of a
poor boy, who had been grossly neglected 1
by the teacher of a village school-neglect- t
cd simply because he was poor and compar- t
atively friendless /! =
Many years ago, when | was asmall boy, :
l attended school in the town Of. i
Among the scholars there was a boy nam Q
cd George Henry. His father'was a poor j
drinking man, and the unfortunate boy had j
to suffer in consequence. George came to !
school habited in ragged garments-but +.
they were the best he had ; he was rough
aud uncouth in his manners, for he had
been brought up in that manners he was
very ignorant, for he had never had an OPP
portunity for education.
Season after season, poor George Henry
occupied the same seat inthe school room
it was a back corner seat, away from the
other scholars, and there he thumbed his
tattered primer. The ragged condition of
his garb gave a homely cast to his whole
appearance, and what of intelligence there
might nave been in his c~ountenance was
beclouded by the outer covering of the boy.
He seldom played with the other children,
for they seemed to sliun him but when he
did, for awhile join withthem in their sport,
he was 50 rough that he was showed off out
of the way.
The teacher passed the poor boy coldly
in the street, while other boys, in better
CARDS, were kindly noticed. La the school,
young Henry was eoldly treated. The
teacher neglected him, and they called him
an idle b~lockhead, because he did not learn.
The boy received no incentiveto study, and
consequently he was most Of the time idle,
and idleness begat disposition to while
away the time in mischief. For this he
was whipped, and the more he was whipped
the more idle and careless he became. He
knew that he was neglected by the teacher
simply because he was poor and ragged,
and with a sort ofsullen indifference, sharp
ened 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 was 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 syl-
tables, and still kept his seat in the corner.
His father had sunk lower in the pit of in
ebriation, and the unfortunate boy was
more Wretched than ever.
The look of clownish indifference which
had marked his countenance, was now Civ
ing way to a shade of happy thoughts and
feelings, and it was evident that the great
turn-point ofhis life was at hand. He stood
now upon the steps in life from which the
t fate of after years must take its cast.
, At this time a man by the name of Kel
: ley took charge of the school. He was an
old teacher, and a really good man. Long
years of guardianship over wild youth hac
4: given him a bluff, authoritative way, and il
y his discipline he was strict and unwavering
The first day he passed at the teacher
+ watching the movements of the scholars
= and studying the dispositions with which h
: had to deal. Upon George Henry his ey
rested with a keen, searching glance. Blu
r. he evidently made little ofhim the first day
,r on the second he did more.
n 1t was during the afternoon of the SCI
n ond day that Mr.. Kelley observed youn
Harry engaged in impaling flies upon tn
point of a large pin. He went to the boy
m seat and after repFimanding i mforhi lis idl
De ness, he took up the dirty tattercd prime
err from his desk.
it. "Have you never learned more than
in this book p asked the teacher.
e. "No," drawled George.
elbow long have you attended school
n ~ don't know, sir. It's ever since
can remember"
"Then you must be an idle, reckle
les boy" said the teacher, with much severit
re- "Do you realize how many years you ha
me e thrown away?-Do you know how mu
- you have lost? One of these days y
me will be too old to go to school, and the
while your companions are seeking sol
by honorable employment, you will be go
'ok for nothing. Have you any parents p
me eyes, sill" answered the boy, in a boar
DC subdued voice.
CO. Sand do they wish you to grow up
be an ignorant, worthless man ?"
de- The boy hung down his head and was
lent, but Mr.. Kelly saw two great tears !
down his cheeks. In an instant, the tea
or saw that he had something besides
idle, stubborn mind to deal with, in
out ragged scholar before him. He laid
had hand on the boys head, and in a kind tt
he said
i ~; al wish you to stop after school is {
missed.-Do not be afraid, for l wish to
as sist you if I can.
she George looked up wonderingly in
her, masters face, for there was something
and the tone of voice which fell upon his
was th~atsounded strangely to him, and he thou
luce L too, as he looked around, that the rest
the scholars regarded him with kinder co
tenances than usual. A dim thoughtbr
ight in upon his mind that, from some cause
n was going to be happier than before.
but After the school was dismissed, Gee
In Henry remained in his seat tall the teaC
called him to his desk.
wos "Now," said Mr.. Kelly, "I wish
ome know how it is that you have neverlear
ould more. You look bright, and as tho
had you might make a smart man. Why
her that / find you so ignorant !?
Pc because nobody helps me, sir" REP
: ';t the boy, " nobody cares for me, for l
self: poor" :
at It By degrees the kind hearted teacher
eyes the poor boys whole history, and W
re- generous tears believed his eyes, he Sc
re- "Youhave been wronglytreated, Geo
con- very wrongly but there is yet time
- sba redemption. If l will try to teach
are will you try to learn Z"
who "Yes-O yes" quickly uttered the
In earnest tones. "Yes-I should
- =