The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1857-1858, 1857-08-19
Mr. Marcy a. Q Schoolboy.
The following interesting anecdote, from
the Boston Transcript of the 1st, is said to
be from the pen Of Lucius NJ Sargent:

! the BOston Transcript OF the ISL Is eald 70
be from the pen of Lucius NJ. Sargent:
This is short preface to short story,
| which interested me, when heard it many
years ago, and which recent event has
freshened up in my memory. l cannot re.
member the year-it was long ago---that
passed the night under the hospitable root oil
the Hon Salem Towne, of Charlton, in the
County of Worcester. As we sat together,
in the evening, and were speaking Of ednca-
ton and Of schools MIR, Towne informed me,
that ABOUT the year 1900, he taught q school
in the southwest district of Charlton
An inhabitanr of Sturbridge, the adjoining
town, had a son, of whose abilities and gem
eral character he appeared to entertain a low
estimate, and of whom he spoke to Mr..
iowne 'disparagingly as boy who gave him
trouble" Mr.. Towne, Notwithstanding this
paternal forewarning, consented to receive
the lad on probation.
On the evening OF the very first day. the
| school agent came to the teacher, land told
| him that the boy was o bad boy and would
disturb the whole school and must be turn
ed out, The agent, very probably, received
his impressions from the judicious parent,
who seems to have made no secret of his
opinions. Mr. Towne rejected the hasty
counsel and informed the agent that he
should keep watchful eye upon the lad,
and that he thought it would be time enough
to turn him ont of school when he made any
disturbance. and that he was entitled to q
fair trial. When the boy came, for the first
time, to recite his lesson, and had gotten
through Mr. Towne told him to shut up his
book. He did SO, but instantly recoiled, and
lodged his head, ne if he expected blow.-
The teacher inquired what was the matter !;
the boy replied that he supposed he should
be beaten and being asked if he had been
accustomed to such usage; he replied in the
affirmative Mr.. Towne then quieted his
alarm, and assured him that he had nothing
to fear, IT, he conducted himself we'll, and en-
couraged him Ivy commencing his recitation;
and was so impressed by the lads manner
Of receiving this appreciation that he ventur-
ed to say to him, II believe YOU are a good
boy These words not only entered at the
ear-they reached the heart / will not
adopt the strong expression which once
heard from the lips Of . very intelligent Jes
nit and say that the teacher had found q
master key to the soul Of his disciple. but
from that hour, he had effectually turned the
switch That beautiful appeaI-.My son
give me thy hesrt, had not been thus silent
~ made in vain The lad told his ascot
ates that though others said he was bad
boy, Mr.. Towne had told him he believed he
was good boy; and he was sure he wished
to be good boy.
Not long alter. the school agent came a.
gain and earnestly required that this boy be
dismissed from the school. With this re-
quest Mr.. iowne refused to comply; and
said that he liked the appearance and con-
duct Of the boy, and thought that with some
little illustration Of the law of kindness, he
would make himself known in the world ~
. useful citizen Ok
Ihis youth continued 10 attend the school
daily and steadily: and ps.6taLly, for Two
wiaesrs. Al the cluss ef The sscoaa wiasee.
The hthsr cana b Mr. Towne, and aaia.
"6ill say9 that yea say shas mast ssud hi9 |