Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-07-06
J. N. JoHNsroN--A sketch.


and those, whose early advantages
had been much better than his own
He soon succeeded in turning their
jeers into respect. and the teacher,
who always prizes application and inn
proyement, more than aitainments,
soon regarded him with favor. He
did not graduate, however, under DR..
John Then, as now, school teaching
was not only poor pay, but so perplex-
ing. not 10 say disreputaDle-for after
all, school tescher, is regarded as a
kind Of necessary evil. something
that is indispensable, and almost intol-
erable-a kind Of an institution for
keeping children out of mischief; and
useful, as a professional and public
corrector of children, whose parents
cannot, or will not correct them at
home: for children that are properly
trained at homo, need no correction at
school.-For some cause. DR.. John.
soon
Laid down The fsrule and the birch,
and took up the pill-bags, and soon
obtained q most excellent practice
He was succeeded in the Aeadamy by
the Rev. Augustus Jooelyn, under
whose instruction. young Johnston re-
ceived the finishing touch-graduated.
in about year, from entering the
school. This would argue either
greater application, and more rapid i'm
provement, or that the standard Of
graduation at that Acadamy, was
lower than it is now, at the College,
for we know some boys thathavo been
going for several years, and yet they
have not graduated.
Having mastered Murray's Gram
mar. and Pixies Arithmetic and bav-
ing taken some lessons in Elocution,
from Mr.. Jocelyn, he turned his atten-
ton to the study Of law. in the Office
Of Mckinney & Noble. when not en-
gagged in the duties Of factotum in
General Mobiles family. Not a few
are the anecdotes that..we have heard
from the colder inhabitants" illustra-
tive of the character Of young john
ston. Numerous as are the tempta-
tons TO the young, now, they were
more numerous then. Dram drinking
was not confined to doggeries. nor
practiced only by inebriates. il was q
part OF the.social system. and INDUCED
In by all, more or less. Every side
board and cupboard, was stored with
the best liquors that could be afforded
and every counting-room, had a Jug
or barrel, from which customers and
friends drew without money and
without price," At that day. wine
and brandy were politely rendered.
by jewelcd hands,, and urged by
female responsiveness, at weddings,
and social parties; and many have been
the victims Of those practices. Il
was veiy brief business call. at a
store or family residence, in town or
country, that did not require the bot
tie or decanter to be produced. Then
too, were the extra occasions Of cleo
tons. and musters, and Fourths Of
July, and raisings, and rollings, and
"shuckings," at all Of which, intoxi-
eating liquors were used freely. No
wonder that thousands Of the most
promising youths Of that day, fell.-
No wonder that drunkards were found
in all classes. andiages, and sexes. We
have seen ministers, grow eloquent.
under the excitement Of spirits, and
the physician. administer medicine,
when too drunk to know calomel from
arsenic. and we shall always believe
that there lies in the graveyard here,
ut least one. who was fastened away
by such blundcr; and the lawyer
could hardly undertake case without
rum.
WBut. amidst all these, young John.
ston. Twas preserved from habits Of in
temperance and vice. II he drank at
all. it was with such caution. that the
habit Of drinking never grew upon
him. and he was among the earliest
advocates Of temperance, in this com.
munity. How. be nov regards the
question. we will tell in subsequent
number. Being temperate, II follows
almost Us q matter Of course. that he
RETAINED from playing. and 9th.
err vices. that have proved the ruin o.
thousands.
It could not BE- expected that. under
all the circumstances, he would ac'
quire q thorough knowledge Of the
law, as rapidly as one who had fewel
outdoor duties to perform. But b.
improved every moment. and made
commendible progress. About 1926
with thorough knowledge ofthe ele
mentsry principle Of Jaw. he began Il
write in the Clerks Office. undel
Enoch McCsrty. 1t was to him boil
source.of revenue. and Of ipforma
ton. - His salary was not large. in
deed. butt supplied his wants. and h
improved the facilities. which the Of
fee. and bis attendance at court at
forded. 10 add constantly to his stool
acknowledge. Here as formerly and
we may add. as ever since, he wa