The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-08-16
Cbe Californian.
FOR THE. BOYS AND GIRLS
OUTRAGE AND COWARDICE.

ne Jchn sdi" ZIG WI. ~" """> w 90
with flreth."
"Because. sir" replied Alday, "the boys
will call M a coward if refuse"
"Oh oh ~ said the teacher, land so You
had rather 30 wrong than be called coward :
John am ashamed o! YOU
The teacher next questioned Frceth.
"Jos-ph," said be, what reasons have you
for not fighting with AlIday :"
IL have many reasons sir" replied DO
seph.
Then let me have them all" said the
teacher that ! may judge what they are
worth"
..In the first place, sir" said Freeth, "if
! were TO fight Allav. should hurt him
know | should, and do no: want to hurt
him."
"Very good" said the teacher.
"In the next place. sir, II did not hurt him,
he would BE- sure to hurt me-"
mo doubt OF it," sail the teacher.
"And then. sir. had rather be called a
coward than do that which | know to be
wrong"
avery good again" said the teacher.
"And lastly, sir, to fight with one another
is not only against the rules OF the school, but
also against the commands Of our Saviour, who
4 ~ L.. g.. tI,,r
The text last SUNDAY morning was, Let all
bitterness and wrath. and anger, and clamor
anil evil speaking lie put away from YOU
with all malice and be kind one to another
tender hearted, forgiviny one another, even
As God for Christ's sake hath forgiven YOU.
Eph. iv. 81. s2.
The tearher commended joseph Freett
for the pru lent answer he hal given. and
hoped he would be able always to act up tc
his principle. In nv opinion, SAID he "you
have shown more true courage in declining
to fight. than you would have done in Fl hit
ing with Alllay, even had you won the vic
tory"
About week after the quarrel which had
taken place the cottage Of poor old Maryery
jenkins, by soma accilent or other took fire
MArgery made her escape. and her daughter
WAS absent from hone. but an infant grand
daughter was sleeping in q little cot up stairs
while the flames were rising to the sta irs. a,
this time there were present several OF the
school. boys. and one of them bldly dashed
through the fire and smoke, made his wav ny
the narrow staircase. dropped the chile
through the window into the arms of a mar
who stood ready to receive it, and then made
bis own escape to the ground.
But who was the boy who thus showed hi
bravery, and saved the life of a child was i
the brave Alldav, who was so forward Il
fight? No, it was Joseph Frerth-he WIFI
Nv many had been called a coward. Thi
kind and daring act of his raised him in tn
minds OF all and no one any longer called hi
courage in question.
The following day some Of the school boy
went to battle in the river. and Alldav, All
Free,h were among them. AlIdav, VIII
could no, swim, soon got ont of his depth. an
would have been drowned. had not Frectl
who was good swimmer. plunged headion
from the bank to his rescue. Selling hold
the arm of hi, drowning companion, he drae
srd him to land.
II the affair of the fire had shown the cali
courage otJoseph Freeth. this Of the watt
went stil further to convince the minds Q
his plavmates.
On the return Of Joseph Frrc'h to III
school room. all the bows received him wit
appraised hands "Lrt the conduct of.Jo>ci
Freeth," said the teacher. when short tin
after speaking the boys be an example
YOU. so that YOU NAV be- ah!. to dstingui,
between idle boastine and true courage. il
rcph Freeth has proved himself worthy,
going throuc III fire and through water for tt
benefit of Others. Remember that he wl
dare. do what is right though it draws u,,r
kin ar Ill name. il truly courageous viii
he who is afraid to pursue An up right cOurs
lest those around should mock him, must
in h,s heart "a coward"