Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1854-11-08
TIE SLIGHTRD SCHOLAR.

Cases like the one am about 10 relate
are much too frequen; in our country, and
they are such, too, as should be guarded
against by all who have an interest in ed d.
ucaton. The incident was brought 10
mind by hearing complaint made by the
parent of poor boy, who had been gross
ly neglected by the teacher of the village
school, neglected simply because he was
poor and friendless
Many years ago, when was small
boy, attended school lin the town Of
-. Among the scholars there was a
boy named George Henry. His father
was a poor drinking man, and the unior-
tunaie boy had to suffer in consequence.
George came to school habiled in ragged
garments-but they were the best he had:
he was rough and uncouth in his manners
for he had been brought up in that man
ner; he was very ignorent, for he had
never had an opportunity for education.
Season after season, poor Geo. Henry
occupied the same seatin the school room
it was a back corner seat, away from
the other scholars-and there he thumbed
his tatered primer. The ragged condi-
ton of his sarb gave a homely cast TO his
whole appearance, and what Of lnteII-
gence there might have been IN his coun-
iepance. was becouded by the "outer GOV.
erinc" of the boy. He seldom played
ed with the other children, for they SEEM
ed TO shun him; but when he did, for
while, Join with them in their sports, he
was so rough that he was soon showed OIL
out Of the way.
The teacher passed the poor boy coldly
in the street, while other boys, IN better
garbs, were kindly noticed. In the school
Young Henry was coldly treated. The
teacher coldly neglected him, and then
called him an "idle blockhead," because
he did not learn. The boy received no
incentive TO study, and consequently he
was most of the time idle, and IdIeness
bepat disposition 10 while away The time
in mischief. For this he was whipped,
and the more idle and careless he became
He knew that he was neglected by the
teacher. and simply because he was poor
and ragged, and with sort oil su.len ~
difference, sharpened at times by feelings
ofbitlerness, he plodded on his dark thank
less way.
Thus matters went on for several years.
Mos, of the scholars of George Henry S
ace had nassed on 10 the higher branches
OF study, while he, poor fellow, sui speI.,
led Out words Of enc or two syllabIes' ana
still kept his distant seat IN the corner
His father had sunk lower in the PIT oil IN
ebriaiion, and the unfortunate boy was
more wrelched than ever. 49,.
The look Of clownish indifference when
had marked his countenance, was no"
giving way to a shade Of unhappy thought
and feelings, and it was evident that the
great turning point in his life was al hand'
He stood now upon the step in lie from
which the fate OF after years must take us
cast. RI
At this time a man by the name Of hel-
jv took charge of the school. lie was
IN old teacher, a careful observer OF hu'
man nature, and really good man.
LONG wears Of guardianship over via
youths had given him bluff authoritative
wnv. and in his discipline he was strict
and unwavering.
The FIRST day he passed in the teacher S
desk of our school was mostly devoted 10
watching the movements Of the scholars
and studying the dispositions with which
bo had 20 deal. Upon George Henry ms
ewes rested with keen, searching glance
bu, evidently made little Of him during