Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-11-11
From the BufaIo COdfie
An Incident in School Life.


Incidents triAing in themselves often have an i'm
portant influence in determining the character Of
life. A word spoken in season, cruel ,aunt
wouDding the heart to its core have been the turn
ing points in destiny, aUG put young mind on thi
high road TO fortune, or set it downward to ruin
Almost every person can recall some occurrence il
early lie which gave tone and impulse to effort
and imbued the mind with principles whose infu
ence is even now controlling. We give place tc
the following true narrative, as an illustration o
this fact, and because it incucates a truth which
every man, woman and child may pro6tably bear
in mind
Years ago, when was boy, it was customary,
and probably is now some extent among dis
rict schools in the country, to have spelling schools
during the winter time. These gatherings were
always anticipated with great interest by the schol
ars, as at those times was to be decided who was
| the best speller. Occasionally one school would
visit another for test of scholarship in this regard
| All how the little hearts would throb, and big
| ones thump, IN their anxiety to beat The whole
| Once on time, neighbOring school sent word
to ours that on certain day in the afternoon they
would meet in our school house for one Of these
contests. As the time was short, most of the 9th.
| er studies were suspended, and at school and at
home ia the evening, all ha IDS were sRdyng to
master the mOnosyables, syllables, poysyla-
bles, authorizations, &C., &e, which the spelling
books contained.
AT length the day arrived and as oar visitors
were considered rather our superious, our fears
nd Wpra .lty
scholars were ranged 10 standing position on Op-
poste sides of the house. aud the words pronounced
TO each side alternately and the seholnr that miss
ed was to sit down His game was up
1t did not take long to thin the ranks on both
sides. In T. short time school had but eight on
tie floor, and theirs bat six. After few rounds
the contest turned in their favor as they had four
standing to our two. For long time it seemed
as though these SIX had the book 'by heart" AT
length the number reduced TO one on each side
Our visitors were represented by an accomplished
young lady, wh,se parents had recently arrived in
town, and ours by myself, a ragged little boy of
:eu summers, who had set up night after night
while niy mother, with No other H. ht ths that pro
duced by pine knots, pronounced my lessons to me-
fhc interest of the spectators was excited TO the
highest pitch, as word after word was spelled by
each. At length the young laiy messed and
stood alone. Her teacher said she did not under
stand the word She declared she did; that tie
Onor was mine, and that richly deserved it
That was proud moment Tor me. l had spelled
down both schools and was declared victor Nv
checks burned, and my brain was oizzy with ex-
tement.
Soon as the school was dismissed my c0mpeti-
tess came and sat down by nay SIDE and congratu-
lated ME on my success, inquiring my name and
age, and Aatteringly predicted my future success
in life
Unaccustomed to such attention, doubtless act
ed as most little boys would under such circum-
stances, iDjddiciously At this junctme, Master
g.. the sun OF the rich man of our neigaborhood,
tauntiugly said to me- in the presence If my fair
friend aud n1moer of boys from the other school
-"Oh, you needn't fea SO bg--your folks
poor, and yo1r father is drunkard"
/ was druukard's son-and how could | look
my new friends in the face My heart seem,d to
rse up in my throat, and almost sufjcated me. The
hot tears scaided my eyes-but / kept them back;
and soon possible, quietly slipped away from my
companions, procured my dinner basket, and, TN
observed, LETT the scene of my triumph and disgrace,
with heavy heart, Tor my home. Bat such q
home. "Ay folks were poor-and my father was
drunkard." But why should | be reproached
for that? l could not prevent my fathers drink
ing, and assisted and encouraged by my mother, 1
had done all l could to keep my place in my class
owhood.
Boy a5 / was l inwardly resolved never TO taste
Of liquor, and that | would show Master G.. if 1
w,s drunkard's son, would yet stand as high as
he did. But all my resolves could not allay the
gnawing grief ami veXati0n produced by his taurt
log words and haughty manner. In this frame Of
mind-Iny head and heart aching, my eyes red and
swolen--I reached home. My mother saw at once
that was in trouble, aud inquired the cause. l
buried my face in her lap end burst into tears
Mother seeing my grief, waited uotil was more
composed, when told her what had happened, and
added, passionately, IL wish ;ather wouldn't be
drunkard, so could be respected as other folks"
At first mother seemed almost overwbclmed, but
quickly rallying sad:
M SOhi L tcCl Vet sorry IOF You, dni regret
that your feelings have been SO injured. q has
tSitted you about things you cannot help But
never mind, my son. Be always honest; never
taste drop oil intoxicating liquor study and ini-
prove your mind. Depend 90 your own energies
trusting in God, and you WILL if your life is spared
make a useful aud respected man. 1 wish your ia
ther when st be-, could have witnessed this scene
and realized the his course brings on us all
But keep brave heart, my son Remember you
| are responsible only Tor your own fauts. PRAY
God to keep you. and don't gri.ve for the thought
| Tess and unkInd TeprOaches mat may he cast on
| you on your fathers account"
! This lesson of my blessed mother, / trust, was
! not lost upon me. Nearly forty years have passed
since that day. and ! have passed many trying
| scenes, but none ever made strong an impr. S.
ion on my feelings that heartless remark OF g. s.
| II was so uojust and SO nnc4lied for Nov, BOYS,
/ remember 10 treat your mates with kin8n, sS-
| Never Induge 10 tguHting remarks towards auy
one and remember that the son Of a poor man, ard
even of d;unkard, may have sensibilities as keen
a. your own.
! But there IS another part 20 this ory. The Other
| day gentleman called at my place of business
and asked if recognized him. ] told him did not
Do you remember" said he, 'of being at a spell
ing school certain time aud rude, thoug htless
boy twittny you Of poverty aud beng drunka ~
son p ''Ne ELL" continued the gentleman, ii an
| that BOY There has not probably a month OF my
fe passed since then, bat | have thought of thai
| remark with regret and shame, and as 1 an sbUut