The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-09-03
VIA. NInrcy ns a schooI Boy.

the pen Of Lucius NJ. Sargent:
| This is a short preface to a short story, which
interested me, when heard it, many years ago
and which recent event has has freshened
up in my memory. | cannot remember the
year--it was long agO-that passed the night
under the hospitable roof OF the Hon. Salem
Towne, of CharltOni in the county Of Worcester.
| As we sat together in the evening, and were
speaking of education and ofschools, Mr.. Towne
informed me, that about the year 1900, he
taught school in the south western district o
Charlton. An inhabitant of Sturbrdge, the al
joining town, had son, Of whose abilities and
general character he appeared to have low es-
innate, and ofwhom he spoke to Mr.. T0wne
"disparagingly as a hoy who gave him trouble,
! Mr. Towne, Notwithstanding this paternal fore
warning, consented to receive the lad on prOba-
ton. On the evening Of the first day, the school
agent came to the teacher and told him, that
the boy was bad boy. and would disturb the
whole school, and must be turned out. The a.
gent, very probably, received his impressions
from the judcious parent, who seems to have
made no secret of his opinions. Mr.. Towne re-
jected this hi counsel, and informed the a
gent that he should keepa watchful eye upon
tbs lad, and he thought it would be time enough
to turn him out of school when be had made any
disturbance and that he was entitled to u fair
trial. .s .u 5#t-
When the boy came, for the first time, to re-
cite his lesson, and had gotten through, Mr.
/ Towne told him to shut up his book. He did
so but instantly recoiled AMI lodged his head
as ifhe expcctcda blow. The teacher enquired
what was the matter the boy replied that he
should be beaten; and being asked if he had
been accustomed to such usage, he replied in
| ~ Hos, 4,
alarm, and assured him that he had nothing tC
fear, if be conducted himself well, and encour
aged him, commencing his recitation and wa,
so impressed by the lads manner OF receiving
this appreciation that he ventured to say, al be
lieve you are good boy" These words mo-
only entered at the car--they reached the heart
| will not adopt the strong expression which J
once heard from the lips of very Intelligent
Jesuit and say that the teacher had found 7:
master key to the soul Of his disciple; but, from
that hour he had eflectually turned the switch
That beautiful appeal-"My son give me tn,
heart" had not been thus silently made in vain
The lad told his associates that, though Others
had SAID he was bad boy, Mr.. Towne hal telt
him he believed he was good boy, and ne wa
sure he wished to be a good boy. - ... -s. d,
Not long after, the school agent came again
and earnestly required that this boy should b.
dismissed from school. With this request
Towne refused to comply; and that be like,
the appearance and conduct of the boy, ant
thonght that, with some little illustration 0
the law of kindness, he would make himsel
known in the world, as useful citizen.n
The youth continued to attend the school
daily, steadily, and profitaby, Tor two winters
At the close of the second winter, the fathe
came to Mr.. Towne and said, "Bill says tina
you say must send him to college, and hav,
him fitted with some private family not an ac
ademy," The father inquired of Mr. Town,
what he hal seen in Bill to justify the idea G
sending him to college 81 see," said MI
Towns, "a boyyouoW hso,' .fromtn ofte. 1Je!p
Mr.. Towne recommended the Rev. Mr.. Lyman
Of Connecticut as an instructor.
The course was followed; the boy went to col
lege, and the pred ms of his kind and judici
Gus primary teacher have been verlfied-the bo
mas heard from in ritter life After having tilet
many stations of the very first importance il
the country, and passed the seventieth uileston
in the path ofman, from the cradle to the gray
he is numbered with the dead-that Stur
bridge boy, William L. Marcy, is no more! RI
Upon the tidings of Mr. Mr.. Marcy's deccase
had wish to tell this interesting story to tn
world. Unwilling to trust entirely to my mem
/ v, u
! Towne, and communicated that wish to him.
His reply is now before me, in which he says
"Please say as little Of ME as you can. It ca
only be said that, a boy who had been unfortu
nately dealt with, happened to become pupil q
mine, and happened to discover that he was
lad of noble mind; and that proper direction an
a change Of policy were only necessary to max
him man, whose influence might, in after lii
be widely extended"
, Firmly believing, as | do, that, under Goo
Q Mr.. Marcy was indebted to this kind, consider
, ate friend, for thus turning the switch so OF
portunely, | think the public will not agree wit
General Towne, in ascrbing to chance what hs
!. obviously resulted from the exercise Of an e2
: cellent discretion. 4 t3 So a
Among the accomplishments and virtues
> Mr.. Marcy, he possessed and cultivated geni
and grateful temper. He never forgot his ol
| legations to the teacher of the village school,
q Charlton; and on numerous occasions, priya
and public, evidently took particular peaslu
" in rroclaiming them openly.
: Upon the occasion Of a military review, ar
" at the dinner table, that gallant soldier and pc
9 feet gentleman, governor Brooks observing Il
very familiar and friendly relation between M
l. Marcy and General Townc, who were preser
y inquired Mr.. Marcy how he and Towne h;
become so intimate, upon which MIR. Marcy r
i j piled, pointing toward General Towne: "E
- made me--whatever Ihave attained, [ owe
= him" "That," rejoined the Governor, 'r
I quires some explanation" Mr.. Marcy the
. proceeded in his happy manner, and in the pre-
u u ence of the company who had become interestt
= in the recital, to narrate the story of his da
. Of small things-his early discouragements.
! his first recitation, before the teacher of the Vi
Z lago school at Charlton--how, expecting tol
;. cuffed as usual he had lodged from the antie
y = pated blow-the teacher'e surprise-the effe
y upon his young heart Of the first words Of cor
= mendation he had ever received-the stinii
y ofall his good purposes, upon hearing for Il
!, first time in his life thath was believed to
! good boy.' aYeS, 2 said Mr. Marcy, "Tow
= made meh's g.nas ,ta8 gN G