Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-03-28

to you, my young friend, would relate to
you brief story of the past, the principal
events Of which occurred at this place /
assured him my greatest desire was that he
would proceed.
when / commenced going to school at
this place. said my aged companion, II
was but six years old. There were atts,at
time about twenty scholars in all, most Of
whom were girls for said he, looking
me in the face, boys had not then the
same privileges fer education they now
have, the farm being their principal school.
When had been there about week, it
was whispered among the scholars that the .
drunksrd's son wasga Gr~ing te school in a
few days. David Bruce, The drunkard, =
all knew. He was a large, muscular man,
and of Scottish descent-from this cause
he was often called the Scotch Drunkard'
He spent both his time and money at Ja-
cob Tindal's distillery-and when he had
no more to spend he sold his land to the
old distiller, and then rented it from him
for few years. All were curious to see
the 'drunkard's son; vague rumors we're
whispered about that he, too, was drunk
ard But these were put to rest by Tom
Tindal, the distiller's son. He said that
Arthur Bruce never touched liquor, and
that by his mothers care he was already
advanced in his studies Tom Tyndal
was the largest boy in school, and as he was
aware of his fathers great wealth and in
fuence in the neighborhood, he, as is often
the case under similar circumstances, made
himself source rather of terror than re-
spect among the boys.
| was sitting at yon window, said he,
pointing to window in the old building,
one lovely Spring morning; the very air
was faint with floating odors, and all the
trees were clothed in bright robes of floral
splendor; hills and valleys, farms and
woodlands around were vocal with the mel
ody of Natures gay songsters. While [
was listening to the enrapturing strains,
and regaling myself in the soft breezes that
fitted by to fan the fair cheek of Spring,
my attention was arrested by the sound of
a footstep at the door; glance convinced
me that it was new student. All eyes
were turned upon him, he was an intelli-
gent, manly looking boy, apparently about
ten years old; he had a fine forehead,
bright flashing grey eyes and deep auburn
or dark brown hair. | was sitting near
Tom when he entered, and shortly after
wards Helen Glenn tripped lightly up and
whispered softly in his ear: 'Coz, who is
it p He replied with a sneer The
DhUNKARD's Son. This was spoken suf-
fciently loud to be overheard by Arthur,
for his cheek crimsoned deeply at the ex-
preston.
!, Helen Glenn, only nine years old, was a
|, great favorite with all the students. She
: was the daughter of very wealthy widow
= lady, gentle and afectionate in her dispo-
! sition, and was in her beauty the flower OF
: : tae school. Arthur was examined, and all
. were astonished at the ease with which he
, answered the most difficult questions, and
% performed the hardest sums in Mathematics
,e ,S The Teacher found him qualified to entel
the highest class. This was particularly
goading to the vanity of Tom, as he die
:, not relish the idea of appearing in the SAM
= :. class with so small boy. A few days
u y however, were sufficient to prove that h
IL II had no just cause of complaint, for Arthu
~ - went head in his class, and there remained
y, % as firm as ifit had been his natural position
~ This only tended to increase his classmate'
:: dislike for him.
- - Arthur was indebted to his kind moth
T., er for this superiority, for she was untirin
in her efforts to advance him. Though sh
H., was wasting away beneath consumption
~ ~ from which her physician told her she coul
II not recover, yet she was proud of her son
~ ~ progress, and never wearied in explainin
10 10 and Tightening his labors. She could plail
- - ly discern that there was weight of grit
~ ~ upon his spirits, which it was her greate
:. desire to remove for this reason she a
' ways seemed cheerful in his presence, an
- =. when he asked to be permitted to stay wit
Ho her in her sickness, she would gently r
10 - moustrate, by saying she always felt
M M-S~' much better when she knew he was plea
=! ing his teacher at school.
w But at school matters grew worse f
oo ,eS Arthur. Thomas Tyndal disliked him al
,ou ,ou took every opportunity to provoke and v
Lnt him at play time when the scholars c.
"t lected beneath the shade of this old beec
'o,t 80 Tom would point at Arthur, and call hi
~ -. Edrunkard's treasure -'drunky Arty,' a
Il
80 trace each other down the cheeks of t
';.9 - weeping youth and he would leave t
Ia - gay group to get his books and retire ale
II to the silent grove TO spend the hours
~" = meditation and study. Cousin said T
,.nn Zen one day when Arthur was gone, Co
s Mois M in Tom, why do you always vex Arthur s
sIil .La He is so kind and studious and never
IL IL jures any one
Aule ooh little Angel co., said Tom,
ITS -srs, preaching her, You had better beco
Attorney for the drunkard's sou'-you
s., ,sen perhaps be rewarded ? He spoke with
Jun bitterest sarcasm. Young as l was,
~ blood boiled within me. Helen made
ln reply, but q shade of sorrow that linge
90 " for a moment on her sunny countena
~" ~. showed plainly what she felt. While
: 'no rest were engaged in enlivening sport,
= ,tTn , left, and after a short stay among the E
= - ers, returned with choice bouquet of
Pr: most beautiful. She concealed it in
'.'S s bosom until school was taken in
liz the evening, when passing Arthur's
- she dropped it, with sweet smile. in
~ - book. No sooner had he received the
'I .ho. prize, than he gave her glance in W
v;r;J i the deep, inexpressible gratitude of
= ~ Wv. heart could be read mutual glow pl;
III III upon their cheeks, showing the exist
~ of a kindred sympathy between their be
/, E IL what power there is in kindn