Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-08-29
EVENING STAR,
AN INCIDENT IN SCHOOL LIFE
NEVER TwIT A BOY FOR WHAT HE CANNOT AyoI1
lie rnm tLl RIlfaln ln Cn,--;.. 4 a...-..s. -, !,

an important influence I'm determining tn
character of a life. a word spoken in season
a cruel taunt, wounding the heart to its core
have been the turning points in destiny, an
put young mind on the high road to fortune
or sent 1t downward to ruin. Almost ever,
person can recall some occurrence in early Iif
which gave tone and impulse to effort, anC
lmoued the mind with principles whose infu
ence is even now controlling. We give plac,
to the following true narrative, as an iIlustra
ton OF this fact, and because it inculcates ;
truth which every man, woman and child ma,
prohtably bear in mind
Years ago, when L was a boy, IL was Gus
tomary, and probably is now to some extern
among district schools in the country, to hay,
spelling schools during the winter term These
gatherings were always anticipated with great
| interest 10y the scholars, as at those times wa.
to be decided who was the best scholar. De.
caSiOnally one school would visit another for a
ties; 0t scholarship in this regard. All how
the little hearts would tbrOb, and big ones
thump, in their anxiety 10 beat the whole
Once on time, a neighbOring school sent
| word to ours that Oh a certain day in the af-
| teroooD, they would meet ia our school-ho sa
| Tor one OF these contests. As the time was
! short, most Of the other studies were suspend
ed, and at school and at home in the evenings
all hands were studying to master the mono
| syllables, dissylables, polysyIlabes, abbreyia-
| tlons, &c, &c, which the spelling-b books con-
! tanned
At length the day arrived. and As orr Wis
| ItorS were considered rather our superors our
! leaTs and anXeties were propOrtionately great
! The scholars were arranged Ia a standing DO
| sitiOo, on opposite sides Of the hous., ani the
Ids Pronounced % each side alternately, and
| the scholar that " missed was to sit down.
His game was up.
1t did not take long to thin the ranks on
I'm IL
but eight on the floor, and theirs but six. Az
Ter few rounds, the contest turned i'm their
favor, as they had four standing 10 our two
For a long time ii seemed as though these six
had the book by heart" At length the
number was reduced to one on each side Our
visitors were represented by an accomplished
young lady, whose parents had recently ar
rived in town, and ours by myself, a ragged
litt'e boy OK ten summers, who sat UP night
alter night, while my mother. with no other
light than that produced by pine knots, pro-
bounced my lessons to me. 1he interest of
tne spectators was excited IL the highest
pitch, as word after word was .spelt by each
AT length the young lady missed and L stood
alone. Her teacher said she did not under
stand the word. She declared she did: that
the honor was mine, and that L richly deserved
1t. That was proud moment to me. L had
spelled down both schools and was declared
victor My cheeks burned, and my brain was
Win excitement.
Soon rs the school was dismissed. my COM
petitress came and sat down by my side and
congratulated me on my success, inquired NV
name and age, and iatteringly predicted my
future success in life
UnaceustOmed to such attentions doubt
less acted IS most litIle boys would under such
circumstances, inJudciously. At this juno
ture, Master g., the son Of the rich man of
our neighborhOod, tauntngly said TO me, in
the presence of my fair friend and a number
OF boys from the ether school, Oh, you
needn feel so big-yOur folks are poor, and
your father is a drunkard''
L was happy no mOre-I was q drunkard's
son-and how could look my new friends in
the face My heart seemed to rise in my
throat, and almost suffOcated me. The hot
tears scalded my eyes-but kept them back,
and soon as possible quietly slipped away
IRON my companions, procured my diuner bas-
ket, and unobserved left the scene OF nv tri-
unph and disgrace, with a heavy heart, for
my home. But what home. MY folks
were poOr--and my father was a drunkard'' -
But why should L be reproached for that!
could not prevent my fathers drinking, and.
ASSISTED and encouraged by my mother, L had
done all L could to keep my place in my class
at school, and to assist her in her worse than
wifowhood.
Boy as l was L inwardIy resolved never to
to taste of liquor, and that / would show Mas
ter IL, If was drunksrd's son, would yet
stand as high as he did. But all nv resolves
could not allay the gnawing grief and vexa-
tion produced by his taunting words aud
naughty manner. La this frame of mind
my mead and heart aching, my eyes red and
swollen-I reached home. NY mother saw at
once that was In trouble, and inquired the
cause. L buried nay face IN her lap, and burst
lEto tears. Mother, seeing my grief, waited
until L was more composed, when l told her
what had happened, and added, passiOnately,
" l wish father wouldI't be drunkard, 50 we
could be respected as other folks At first,
mother seemed almost overwhelmed but she |
quickly rallied, and said
9 My son, feel very sorry for you, and re-
gret that your feelings have been so injured.
u. has twitted you about things you cannot
help. But never mind, my son Be always
honest; never taste drop Of Intoxicating |
liquor; study and improve your mind. De- |
pend on your own energies, truS ting in God, /
ard you will, if your life is spared, make a /
useful and respected man. | wished your ia
ther, when sober, could have witnessed this /
scene, and realized the sorrow his course /
brings on us all But keep a brave heart. my |
son. Remember You are responsible only for |
your own faults. Pray Good to keep you, and |
don grleve for the thoughtleA and unkiud |
reproaches that may be cast o, you On your
fathers account
This lesson of my blessed mother, trust, |
WIS hot IOSt upon me. Nearly forty years /
have gone since that day, and | have passed |
many trying scenes, but none ever made so |
strong an impression on NY feelings as that /
heartless remark Of u 5. Ii was so unjust /
and so uncalled for. Now, boys. remember
always to treat your mates with kindness. /
Never indulge in taunting remarks toward |
any one, and remember that the son Of a poor |
man, and even Of drunkard may have SEN
slbilities as keen as your own.
But there is another part to this story. The |
other day gentleman called at my place of |
business, and asked if l did not recognise |
him. l told him L did not. Do you remem-
ber,' said he, of being at a spelIing-school |
at certain time, and rude, thoush htless boy
tslttlng you of poverty, and being drunk
ards son !'' al do most distinctly" said |. |
d" Well," continued the gentleman, Il am
that boy. There has not, probably, month |
Of lny life passed since then but have thought
of that remark with regret and shame, and as
L am about leaving for California, perhaps to
end my days there, L could not 60 without first |
calling ON you, and asking your forgiveness |
for that act" Boys, L gave him my hand as
a pledge of forgiveness Did L do right You