Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-08-05
MIR. MARCY As A sCHOOLBOY.

MIR. MARCY As A sCHOOLBOY.
Tho following interesting anecdote, from the
Boston Transcript Of the 1st, is said to be from
tho pen of Lucius n Sargent:
This is a short preface to a short story, which
interested me, when / heard it, many years
ago, and which a recent event has ireshcnednp
in my memory. Icannot remember the year
X was long ago-that passed the night under
the hospitabie roof of the Hon. Salem Towne, Of
Charlton in the county Of Worcester. As we
sat together, in tho evening, and were speaking
Of education and of schools, Mr.. Towne in.
formed me, that about the year 1900, he taught
a school in the southwestern district of Charl.
ton An iphabitant Of Sturbridge, the adioin-
ing town, had a son, of whose abilities and gen.
eral character he appeared TO entertain n low
estimate, and OF whom he spoke to Mr.. Towne
''disparagingly as boy who gave him trouble"
Mr.. Towne, Notwithstanding this 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 judiciOus parent, who seems to have
made no secret Of his opinions. Mr. Towne re-
jected this hasty counsel, and informed the
agent that be should keep a wltchful eye upon
the lad and that be thought it would be time
enough to turn him out Of school when he made
any disturbance, and that be was entitled to
fair trial.
When the boy came, for the first time to re-
cite his lesson, and had got through, MI. Towne
told him to shut up his book. lie did so, but
instantly reeoiled, and lodged his head, as if
he expected a blow. The teacher enquired what
was the matter. The boy replied that he sup
posed he should be beaten; and, being asked If
he had been accustomed to such usage, he re-
IN he af Mr. TOyvna a1
his alarm, and assured him that he had nothing
20 fear, If he conducted himself well, and en-
cOuraged him by commencing his recitation;
and was so impressed by the lads manner Of
receiving this appreciation that he ventured to
say to him, / believe you are a good boy"
These words not only entered at the ear-they
reached the heart 1 will not adopt the strong
expression which once heard from the lips OF
very intelligent Jesuit, and say the teacher
had found a master key 10 the soul of his dis
ciple; but from that hour he had cffectualy
turned tho switch. That beautiful appeal
My son, give me thy heart, had not been
thus silently made in vain. The lad told his
associates that, though others had said he was
bad boy, Mr. TOwle 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 again,
and earnestly required that this boy should be
dismissed from tho school. With this request
Mr. T0wne refused to comply, and said that he
p" liked the appearance and conduct of the boy,
and thought that, with some little illustration
Of the law Of kindness, he would mako himself
known in the world, useful citizen
The youth continued to attend the school,
daily, and steadily, and proftably, for two win
tiers At the close OF the second winter, the
father came TO Mr.. Towne, and said, {. Bill says
that you say must send him to college, and
have him fitted with some private family, not
at an academy" The father inquired Of Mr.
IO"ne what no had seen in Bill to justify the
idea OF sending him 10 college. a. see, +" said
Mr. Towne, a boy tha: you will hear from in
after life" Mr.. Towne recommended the Rev.
Mr. Lyman, of Connecticut, as an instructor.
This course was followed; the boy went to
College, and the predictions Of his kind and ju-
dicious primary teacher have been verified
the boy was heard from in after life After
having filed many stations of the very first
Importance IN our country, and passed the sew
entleth milestone in the path of man. from the
cradle to the grave, he is numbered with the
dead-that Sturbridge boy, William l.. Marcy,
Is no more,
Upon the tidings of Mr. Marcy's dccease, 1
had a wish to tell this interesting story to the
world. Unwilling to trust entirely to my mem
Ory, addressed a letter TO my friend, General
Towne, and communicated that wish TO him
HlS reply is now before me, in which he says
Please say as LITTLE Of me as you can. 1t can
only be said that n boy who had been unfortu-
N~eAAt WILL udpptIltu I'D DecOmc pupil
Of mine; AMI happened to discover that he
was lad Of noble mind; and that proper di-
rectlon and change of policy only were neces-
Sary 10 make him man, whose influence might
In after life, be widely extended"
Firmly believing, do, that, under God,
MI Marcy was deeply indebted 10 this kind,
considerable friend, for thus turning tie grcitch
so opportunely, l think the public will not
agree with General Towne in ascrib,ny To
chance what has obviously resulted from the
exercise OK an excellent discretion.
Among the accomplishments and virtues of
Mr.: Marcy, be possessed and cultivated genial
and grateful temper lie never forgot his obIi-
cations TO the teacher Of the village school. in
Charlton; and on numerous occasions, private
and public, evidently took particular pleas
ure in prOclaiming them openly.
Upon the occasion Of a military review, and,
at the dinner table, that gallant soldier and
perfect gentleman, Governor Brooks. observing
the very familiar and friendly relation between
Mr.. Marcy and General Towne, who were pres
ent, inquired OF Mr.. Marcy how he and Towne
had become 80 intimate; upon which, MI
Marcy replied, pointing towards Gen. Towne
He made me-Whateyer have attained owe
20 him THAT" rejoined the Governor, "re-
qulreS some explanation" Mr.. Marcy then
proceeded, in his happy manner, and in the
presence OF the company, who had become in
terested in the recital, TO narratc the story of
his days of small things-his early discourage
ments-his first recitation before the teacher of
the village school at Charlton-how expecting
70 DC eufed as usual, he had lodged from the
anticipated blow-the teachers surprise-the
eject upon his young heart Of the first words of
commendatiOn he had ever receiyed-the stir
ring Of all his good purposes, upon hearing for
the first time in his life, that be was believed
TO be a good boy" "Yes," said Mr. Marcy,
Towne made me- ~