Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-09-19
Sf(isttllaneous.
Mr.. Marcy as O Schoolboy.

The following interesting anecdote, from
the Boston Transcript Of the first, is said to
be from the pen Of Lucus Nj. Sargent:
This is short preface to short story,
which interested me, when heard it, many
years ago, and which recent event has fresh
ened up in my memory. | cannot remember
the year-it was long ago-that passed the
night under the hospituble roof OF the Hon.
Salem Towne, of Charlton, in the country Of
Worcester. AS We sat together, in the eve
niug and were speaking OF education and OF
schools, Mr.. Towue informed me. that, about
the year 1900, he taught a school in the
southwestern district OF Charlton. An iuhab-
liant of Sturbridge the adjoining town, had u
son Of whose abilities the general character
he appeared TO entertain u low estimate, and
of whom he spoke to Mr.. Towns "dsparag-
ingly as boy who gave him trouble" Mr.
TOwnc, Notwithstanding his paternal fore
warning, consented to receive the lad on pro-
baton.
On the evening of the very 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 agent, very probably, received his
impressions from the judcious parent, who
seems to have made no secret of his opinions
Mr. Towne rejected his hasty counsel, and
| informed the agent that he should keep a
watchful eve upon the lad and that he
thought il would be time enough to turn him
out Of school when he made any disturbance,
| and that he was entitled to a fair trial
When the boy came, for the first time, to re-
cite his lesson, and bad gotten through. MIR
Towne told him to shut his book. lie did so,
/ but Instantly recoiled, aud lodged his head,
as if he expected blow. The teacher in
ouired 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 as
sured him that he had nothing to fear if be
conducted himself we'll and encouraged him,
by commencing his recitation; aud was so
impressed by the lads manner Of receiving
this appreciation that he ventured TO say ~
him, IL believe you are good boy" These
words not only entered the ear-they reach
ed the heart. ! will not adopt the strong ex-
preston which once heard from the lips ol
u very intelligent Jesuit, and say that the
teacher had found q master key to the soul o
his deciple but. from that hour. he had etlec
tualiy the switch That beautiful appeal
MY son, give me thy heart had not been
thus silent or made in vain. The lad told
his associates that though Others had said he
was a bad boy. MIR. Town had told him he
believed he was good boy, and he was sure
he wished TO be good boy
Not long after, the school agent came agar
aud earnestly required that this boy shoult
be dismissed from the school. With this
request Mr.. Towne refused to comply; nnt
said that he "liked the appearance and con
duct Of the hoy, aud thought, that, with som'
little illustration Of the law Of kindness, h'
would make himself known in the world, as I
useful citizen"
This youth con,inusd 70 attend the e,hool