Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-09-12
Ca0lcg LITERATURE.
From the Buffalo Courier, August, I'll
An Incident in School Life-Never twit
a Bow for what he cannot avoid.

AL xUG1U6ub III 0Cl4UUA 411c-N6V6T CW1G /
a Boy for what he cannot avoid.
Incidents trning in themselves often have
an important influence in determining the
character of life. A word spoken in sea-
son, a cruel taunt, wounding the heart to its
core, have been the turning points in desti-
ny, and put a young mind on the high road |
to fortune. or sent it downward to .uin-l
Almost every person can recall some occur
renee in early life which gave tone and i'm
pulse to effort, and i'm ued the mind with
principles whosenfuencei is even now con-
trolling. We give place to the following
true narrative, as an illustration of this fact,
and because it ineulcates truth which eve
ry man, woman and child may proftably
bear in mind:
Years ago, when | was boy. it was Gus
tomary, and probably is now to some extent
among district schools in the country, to
have spelling schools during the winter term.
These gatherings were always anticipated
with great interest by the scholars, as at
those times was to be decided who was the
best speller. Occasionally one school would
visit another for a 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 a 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 other studies
were suspended, and at school and at home
in The evenings, all hands were studying to
master the monosyables, dissylables, poly
syllables, authorizations, &C., &C., which the
spelling books contained.
At length the day arrived, and as orr vi~i-
tors were considered rather our sup"riors,
our fears and anxietes were proportionately
great The scholars were ranged in a stan
ding position, on opposite sides Of the house.
and the words pronounced to each side al
ternately, and the scholar that missed was
10 sit down. His game was up.
1t did not take long to thin the ranks or
both sides In short time our school had
tnt eight on the floor, and theirs but siv.-
Afier a few rounds, the contest turned il
their favor, as they had four standing to ou
two. For long time it seemed as though
these six had the book by heart Al
length the number was reduced to one oil
each side. Our visitors were represented
By an accomplished young lady, whose pa
rents had recently arrived in town, and our
hs myaaf. ragged little ooY of ten sum
mers, who had set up night after night
while my mother, with no other light thar
that produced by pine knots, pronounced no,
lessons to me. The interest of the specta
tors was excited to the highest pitch, as wor'
after word was spelled by each. At lengtl
the young lady missed, and stood alone
Her teacher said she did not understand tn
word. She declared she did that the hon
or was mine, and that richly deserved il
That was proud moment for me. | ha
spelled down both schools and was declare
victor. Ny cheeks burned, and my brai
was dizzy with excitement. Soon as th
school was dismissed, my competitress cam
and sat down by my side and congratulate
me on my success, inquired my name an
age, and fatteringly predicted my futur
success in life.
Unaccustomedto to such attentions, l doub
less acted as most little boys would undt
such circumstances, injudiciously. At tn
juncture, Master G., the son of the rich ma
of our neighborhood, tauntingly said to m
in the presence of my fair friend and
: number of boys from the other school-"Ol
7 you needn't feel so big--your folks are poo
| and your father is drunkard."
t was happy no more-I was dru1
3 kard's son-and how could I look nv ne
D friends in the face? My heart seemed
: rise up in my throat, and almost suffocatt
e me. The hot tears scalded my eyes-b
i | kept them back and soon as possible, al
: etly slipped away from my companions, pr
!, cured my dinner basket, and, unobserve
d left the scene Of my triumph and disgra'
/ with heavy heart, for my home. B
o what home-" Ny folks were poor-a
IS my father was drunkard." But why shou
d I be reproached for thats could not p
W vent my fathers drinking, and assisted a
IS encouraged by my mother, had done
% l could to keep my place in my class
school, and to assist her in her worse th
j. widowhood.
lg Boy, as was, inwardly resolved ne
y to taste of liquor, and that I would sh
Ve Master G. if I was drunkard's son, wo
y, yet stand as high as he did. But all
,h resolves could not allay the gnawing g
of and yexation produced by his taunting wo
al and naughty manner. In this frame
it mind-my head and heart aching, my e
red and swollen reached home.
mother saw at once that was in trou
G. and inquired the cause. buried my
in her lap, and burstinto tears. Mother
ing my grief waited until l was more cc
posed, when | told her hat had happer
and added, passionately, wish fa
rm wouldn't be drunkard, SO we could be
aoe aoe spected as other folks" At first, mo
m seemed almost overwhelmed, but qui
em rallying, said
CHI "My son, feel very sorry for you,
,ey regret that your feelings have been so
ms red. G. has twitted you about things
lar- cannot help. But never mind, my
-. a. Be always honest ; never taste drop Of
| Il in toxicating liquor study and improve
ks. mind Depend on your own energies,
be- ting in God, and you will, if your life is
no. ed, make useful and respected man
ron wish your father. when sober, could
YER yer witnessed this scene and realized the SO
'Say, his course brings on us all. But kt
,oor S brave heart, my son. Remember, you
in responsible only for your own faults.
pose God to keep you, and don't grieve fol
as thoughtless and unkind reproaches that