Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1856-06-07
An Incident in School Life.


An Incident in School Life.
NEVER TwIT BOY FOR WHAT HE CANNOT AVOID
Incidents trifling in themselves often have ar
important influence in determining the character
of q life. A word spoken in season, crue
taunt, wounding the heart to its core, have beer
the turning points in destiny, and put a young
mind on the high road to fortune, or sentit dowl
to ruin. Almost every person can recall som'
occurrence in early life which gave tone and i'm
pulse to effort and imbubed the mind with prin
ciples whose influence is even now controlling
We give place to the following true narrative
as an illustration of the fact, and because it in
culcates truth which every man, woman ant
child may proftably bear in mind.
Years ago, when was boy, it was custom
airy, and probably is now, to some extent, anon:
district schools in the country, to have spelling
schools during the winter term. These gather
ings were always anticipated with great nteres
by the scholars, as at those times was to be de
cided who was the best spelIer OCCASIONAL,
one school would visit another for test of schol
arship in this regard. All ! how the little hearts
would throb and old ones thump, in their an1i
ETY. to beat the whole.
Once on time neighboring school sent wore
to ours that on a certain day, in the afternoon
they would meet in our school-house for one o
these contests As the time was short, most o
the other studies were suspended, and at schoo
and at home, in the evening, all hands were stu
dying to master the monosylables, dissylables
ing books contained.
At length the day arrived, and as our visitor,
were considered rather our superiors, our fear
and onYsofioc
scholars were ranged in standing position, or
opposite sides of the house, and the words pro
nounced to each side alternately, and the scholar
that 'missed" was to sit down. His gam,
was up.
1t did not take long to thin the ranks on bott
sides. In short time our school had but eigh
on the floor, and theirs but six. After few
rounds the contest turned in their favor, as they
had four standing to our two. For a long time
it seemed as though these six had the book by
heart" At length the number was reduced te
one on each side.
Their visitors were represented by an accom-.
plished young lady, whose parents had recently
arrived in town, and ours by myself, ragged
little boy of ten summers, who had set up night
after night, while my mother, with no other
light than that produced by pine knots pro-
nounced my lesson to me. The interest of the
spectators was excited to the highest pitch, as
word after word was spelled by each. At length
the young lady missed, and stood alone. Her
teacher said she did not understand the word.
She declared she did that the honor was mine,
and that richly deserved it. That was proud
moment for me. l had spelled down both
schools, and was declared victor. My cheeks
burned, my brain was dizzy with excitement.
Soon as the school was dismissed, my COM
petitress came and sat down by my side and
congratulated me on my success-inquired my
name and age, and hatteringly predicted my
future success in life.
Unaccustomed to such attentions, doubtless
acted as most little boys would under such cir
cumstances, injudiciously. At this juncture,
Master g., the son of rich man of our neigh
borhood, tauntingly said to me, in the presence
of my fair friend and number of boys from
the other school, sob, you needn't feel 80 big
your folks are poor, and your father is drunk
ard"
was happy no more-I was drunkard's son
and how could I look my new friends in the
face? My heart seemed to rise up in my throat,
and almost suffocated me- The hot tears scalded
my eyes-but kept them back; and soon as
possible, quietly slipped away from my compan-
ions, procured my dinner basket, and unobserved,
left the scene of my triumph and disgrace, with
q heavy heart, for my home. But what home.
&c My folks were poor-and my father was
drunkard." But why should l be reproached
for that? Icould not prevent my father drink.
ing, and assisted and encouraged by my mother,
had done all could to keep my place in my
class at school, and to assist her in her worse
than widdowhood.
Boy as Was, inwardly resolved never to
taste of liquor, and that would show Master
g.. if l was drunkards son, would yet stand
as high as he did, But all my resolves could
not allay the gnawing grief and vexation pra-
1uced by his haunting words and naughty man
1er. In this frame of mind-my head and heart
aching, my ears red and swollen-I reached my
home. My mother saw at once was in trouble,
and inquired the cause. l buried my face in
her lap and burst into tears. Mother, seeing
ny grief, waited until was more composed,
when l told her what had happened, and added,
Dassionately, 81 wish father wouldn't be
1runkard, SO we could be respected as other
'olks." At first, my mother seemed almost
but quickly rallying, said:
"My son, l feel very sorry for that, and re.
greet that your feelings have been 50 injured.
8. has twitted you about things you cannot help
But never mind, my son. Be always honest
never taste drop of intoxicating liquor; study
Ind improve your mind. Depend on your own
energies, trusting in God, and you WILL if your
life is spared, make useful and respected man.
wish your father, when sober, could have wit
1essed this scene, and realized the sorrow his
course brings on us all. But keep brave heart
ny son. Remember you are responsible only
'or your own faults. Pray God to keep you,
Ind don't grieve for the thoughts and unkind
approaches that may be cast on you on your ia
hers account"
This lesson of my blessed mother, l trust,
VAS not lost upon me. Nearly forty years have
gone since that day, and have passed many
rying scenes, but none ever made 80 strong an
impression on my feelings as that heartless re-
mark Of G.'s. It was 80 unjust and so uncalled
or.
Now, boys. remember to treat your mates with
zindness. Never indulge in haunting remarks
;oward any one, and remember that the son of
} poor man, and even of drunkard, may have
'ensibilities as keen as your own.
But there is another part to this story. The
'ther day gentleman called at my place of
business, and asked me if did not recognise
lin. told him did not. "Do you remem-
Der" said he "of being at spelling school at a
certain time, and rude, thoughtless boy twit-
ing you of poverty and being drunkard's son?"
. / do most distinctly" said I. "Well," con-
inued the gentleman, ~ am that boy. There
las not, probably month of my life
passed since then, but have thought Of that
'emaTk with regret and shame, and as I am