The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-07-25
Not Ashamed of Ridicule.

Not Ashamed of Ridicule.
shall never forget lesson, which ]
received when quite a young lad, at the
academy in B. Among my school
fellows were Hartley and Jemson. They
were somewhat older than myself, and to
the latter l looked up as a sort OF leader
in matters Of opinion as well as of snort
lie was not at heart malicious, but he had
foolish ambition Of being thought witty
and sarcastic, and he made himself feared
by besetting habit Of turning things in.
to ridicule, so that he seemed continually
on the look out for matter Of diversion.
Hartley was new scholar, and but lit
tle was known of him among the bows.
One morning, as we were on our way to
school, he was seen driving COW along
the road towards neighboring field. A
group OF boys, among whom was Jemson.
met him as he was passing. The oppor.
tunlty was not to bo lost by Jemson.
"Helloa J" he exclaimed, "what's tho price
of milk say, Jonathan, what do Won
fodder onl What will you take for all
the gold on her horns Boys, if vou
want to see the latest Paris style, look at
these boots!"
Hartley, waving his hand to us with a
pleasant smile, and driving the COW to
the held, took down the bars Of raj, fence,
saw her safe in the inclosure, and then.
putting up the bars, came and entered the
school with the rest Of us. After school
in the afternoon, he let out the cow and
drove her of, none Of us knew where.
And every day, for two or three weeks,
he went through the same task.
saTly Hhs a SGys tns e .J.s, AsaaemE
and some Of them, among whom was
Jemson, were ounces enough to look down
with sort Of disdain upon scholar who
had to drive cow. The sneers and ieers
Of Jemson weie accordingly often renew
ed. lie once, on plea that he did not
like the odor ofthe barn, refused TO sit next
to Hartley.-Occasiona'ly he would en-.
quire after the cows health, pronouncing
the word "ke-ow," after the manner OF
some Of the country people.
With admirable good nature did Hart
ley bear all these silly attempts to wound
and annoy him. do not remember tha:
he was ever once betrayed into look OF
word OF angry retaliation. "I suppose,
Hartley" said Jcmson, one day az suppose
your daddy means to make milkman OF
you" "Why not asked Hartley. "Oh,
nothing; only don't leave much water IN
the cans after you rinse them--that's all n
The boys laughed, and Hartley, not in the
least mortified, replied, Never fear; il
over should rise to be milkman, I'll
give good measure and good milk"
The day after this conversation there
was public exhibition, at which a mum.
Der OF ladies and gentlemen from neigh.
boring cities were present. Prizes were
awarded by the principal of our Academy
and both Hartley and Jemson received q
creditable number; for, in respect to schol
arship, these two were about equal. AZ
ter the ceremony Of distribution, the Prin.
cipal remarked that there was one prize
consisting Of gold medal which was rare
ly awarded not so much on account of il,
great cost, As because the instances were
rare which rendered its bestowal proper
II was the prize Of heroism. The last boy
who received ono was young Manners
who three years ago, rescued the blind
girl from drowning.
The Principal then said that, with The
permission OF the company, he would re
late short story. Not long since, some
boys were flying kite in the street, JUS
ms boy on horseback rode by on his wa,
to the mill. The horse took fright ant
threw the boy, injuring him so badly thai
he was carried home, and confined som,
weeks to his bed. OF the scholars who
had unintentianally caused tho disaster
none followed TO learn the fate Of tho
wounded boy. There was one scholar
however who had witnessed the acciden
from 3 distance, who not only went te
make inquiries, but stayed to render ser
vices.
The scholar soon learned that the woun
ded boy was the grandson OF poor wi
dow whose sole support consisted in sci
ling the milk OF n fine COW of which sh,
was the oM ner. Alas! what could sh,
now do2 She was old and lame, an i bel
grandson, on whom she depended to driy,
the COW to pasture, was now on his back
helpless. @Never mind, my good woman, :
said the scholar, ~ can drive your COW +
With blessings and thanks the old woman
accepted the offer,
| But his kindness did not stop here
Money was wanted to get articles from
the apo,hecary. II have money that m,
mother sent mo to buy boots with; but
can do without them for awhile" aOl
mo-, said the old woman, al can't consen
Ito that; but here Is q pair Of cowhid,
boots that 1 boughtfor flenrv, who can
wear them. Hyou would only buy thes.
lgivlng ls what they cost, we should ac,
along nicely pThe scholar bought n,
boots, clumsey as they were, and has worr
Them up 10 this time.n