Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-10-16
something 10 mako il more cheerful !"
inquired Miss Westcott.
UVes'n, md Lnou ,ybnro I can oet

| Sssp A"SsuoSt " yOu WIZ
some here by eight o'clock to.morro,
morning, will DO here TO help you pu
them up. and WI will give the childrel
a pleasant surprise. Here are som
book. | will give you, Thomas yo'
may put them in your drawer, as the.
are what want you 10 study"
"But can't study geography and his
tory" exclaimed Tom confused, 81 neve
did"
"That is the reason why you ,hinl
you can not" replied Miss Westcou
|"l am quite sure you can, and will low
them | know"
"Nobody ever cared whether | learn
ed or not BEFORE" said Tom, with some
emotion.
"Well, care" said Miss Westcot
with earnestness "you are capable o
becoming a great and good man you
are forming a character for life, and it
depends upon yourself what you be-
come. The poorest boy in the country
has an equal chance with the wealthiest
and his circumstances are favorable for
becoming eminent, for he learns to de.
pend upon himself. | will assist you
all | can in your stulics, Thomas, and
| know you will succeed reminder tina!
| am your friend, and come 10 me in
every difficulty"
Tom Jores had not been brought up ;
he had come up, because he had been
born in the world and couldn't help it,
but as for any mental or moral training,
he was as guiltless of it wild brambIe
Of pruning knife. His father was an
intem perate, bad man, and his mother a
totally inefficient woman. AT home he
received nothing but blows, and abroad
nothing but abuse. His bad passions
were therefore all excited and fostersd /;
and his good ones never culled out
He always expected his teachers would
hate him, so he whelted anew his COM
batiye powers 10 oppose them, and he
had made up his mind 10 "turn the now
school ma..am out Of DOORS" When,
therefore, Miss Wes,cott declared that
she was glad 10 have him in her school,
he was amazed and that she should
manifest snch an interest for him, and
give him a set Of books, was psrlectly
incomprehensible 10 him. Miss West.
colt understood his position and char.
actcr. and determined 10 modify them.
She felt that he was equally capable Of
good and bad actions, though the bad
now predominated. She knew that his
mind must be busy one might as we'll
think Of claiming the lightning, as bend.
ing down by force that wild spirit to his
books. She would give him employ.
ment, but such as would call out new
train Of ideas and thoughts. He must
feel that he was doing good for others
sake, and that he was not guided alone
by his own wayward will, yet there must
be no appearance Of restraint upon him ;
he must choose to do good.
Tom Jones went home that night with
a new feelings in his breast; for the first
time in his life, he felt that he was
capable Of raising above his present
condilion,and becoming somewhat great.
or and better than he was. His mind
became inundated with new and strange
emotions. and like mighty river turn.
ell from its course, his thoughts and
energies from that hour sought a new
direction.
The next morning he was up with the
dawn, and when Miss Westcott arrived
at tho school house, she found Tom
Jones there with his evergreens.
"Good morning, Thomas" she said
kindly, $50 you are here before me !;
you must have risen early, and | see
you have found some beautiful ever.
green's. Now, if you will! help me to
hang them, we will have the room ar.
ranged before nine o'clock"
81 have broush, hammer and some
nails" said Tom. 81 thought we should
need them"
eyes, so we shall, l am glad you
thought Of it," replied Miss Westcott.
That day every scholar looked amaz.
cd to see Tom Jones actually studying
his book, and hear him answer several
questions correctly, and they we're still
more confounded when at recess, Miss
Westcott said
"Thomss, you will take care Of these
little children, will you not, and see
that they do not get hurt? You must be
their Protector.
One would as soon have thought ol
setting wolf to guard flock Of lambs,
as Tom Jones to take charge Of little
children.
"Well," exclaimed Sam Evans, 81
never saw such school ma'am in all
the days Of my life, that know Of; did
you, Tom 7"
"No," replied Tom. shut | wish had
and would have heen a different boy
from what am now, but l am going te
study now and learn something. Miss
Westcot. says can, and / am now de-
termined to try"
Iwas astonished to see the effect that
Miss Westcott's treatment OF Tom hat
upon the scholars-they began TO con
sider him Of some importance, and te
| feel a sort OF respect for him which they
at first manifested by dropping the nick
name Tom. and substituting Tommy
which revealed certainly, more kindl,
feeling towards him. N"
In less than week Miss Westcot
had tho school completely under he
| control, yet II was by love and respec
aha oovefned. and not bv an iron rule