The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-11-11

playing Win tnem ana D0unueu 70 nlS
side; and ! could hear happy cries Of
Papa, Papa. .s,,,.s !
It was Abel Morton; and the olb lady
was his mother. He was an honored, hap
py man, stict Honor and Truth had been
his guide through lifes,s +
MIR. MARCY AS A SCHOOL BOY. /,
The following interesting anecdote,
from the Boston Transcript of the, LIST
is said to be from the pen Of Lucius NJ.
Sargent: - - - - s''1
This is q short preface to a short story
which interested me, when I heard it,
many years ago, and which recent e.
vent has freshened up in my memory. !
cannot remember the year-it was long
ago--that passed the night under the
hospitable roof of Hon. Salem Towhe, of
Charlton, in the county of Worcester.
AS We sat together in the evening, and
were talking Of education and Of schools,
Mr. Towns informed me that about the year
1900, he taught a school in the south
western district of Charlton. : An inhab-
itant of Sturbridge, the adjoining town,
had a son, of whose abilities and general
character, he appeared to entertain low
estimate, and of whom he spoke to Mr..
Towne "dispafagingly asa boy who gave
him trouble, ,"3a Mr.. Towne, notwithstand-
ing this paternal fore warning consented
to receive the lad on probation. ,sa s7,.
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
e1turned' outsra The agent very probably
Ereceiyed his impression from the injudiciI
GUS parent, who seems to. have made NO
secret of his opiaions Mr.. Towns re-
|jected this fhasty counsel, and informed the
Eagent thataheq should keep d watchfal eye
upon the lad, h and, . that. she4 thought ii
would be time enough to. turn him out Of
school when he made any disturbance and
| tina. he was entitled to 4 fair trial. When
the boy came for the 6rst time to- fecite
his lesson, and had igotteha through, Mr..
Towne. told, him; ito !shutfup his Book.
He did SO. but instantly recoiled, and
lodged his head, as if be expected blow.
Pho teacher Ia aaaiiFed what was the matter;
THE boy replied that he supposed he
should be beatens and being asked ifAhe
had been accustomed to such usage, he re-
billed in the affirmative. Mr. ST0wne tfien
quieted his alarm, and assured him that
he had nothing to fear, If he conducted
himself well, and encouraged him, by COM
:nending His orecitations, and was SO i'm
pressed BY the lads manner Of receiving
1sthis appreciation, that he ventured to say
to him, II believe you are 4 good boy.
I These words not only entered at the ear
1'they sreaached the heart I will not adopt
the strong expression which / once heard
from the lips Of q very inte,ig d 'Je uit
d and say that the teacher had found Q
I master key TO the soul of his dis pr; but
from that hour, he had effectually turned
4 the switch. That beautiful appeal-A"MJ
tfson give me thy heart, /" had not thus beer
!, silently made in vain. The lad told his
= associates, that, though Others had sale
4 he was bad boy Mr., Towne had 'tole
: him he believed he was agood boy, ant
he was sure he wished to be good. boy.
Not long after, the school agent 'cam
, again, and earnestly requested that the BIO.
r should be dismissed from school. Wit
t this request Mr. Towne refused to com
n1ply, and said that he aliked the appear
1 ance and conduct Of the boy, and though
: that, With some little Illustrations Of th
flaws Of kindness he would make himssl
-1known to the world as useful CITIZEN"
f This youth continued to attend th
y school daily and steadily and proftablJ
ed for two winters. At tie close Of the sec
g; ond winter the father came to MI: Town
u and said d-s.Bill says that you say T mus
= send him to college, aid have him sftte
II with some private family, not at an acad
e Iemy. ~ The father enqnired Of Mr.. Town
II what he had seen in Bill to Justify III
,iideap Of sending him to college. II see,
d fyaid Mr. Towne,, 80 boy 9thas you vi
m hear from iii after lifs." Mi: Towne rel
J. ommended the Rev Mr.. Lyman, Of Coz
!, |neticut, as instructor. % sal 81
u Tis course L. xas followed; the boy wei
to college5aad she predictions of this kir
+, land jsilieiohs primaxy teaches hayeT bel
IT, fvsrifled+~ths s5ey Ros ksSrd 5fnpdss yaft
as{ltamaAfterha hasing fflledamany stations
en- the very first Importance sinx ouro countt
be land passed shBl sesentieth umile.stOpeo
e. tthe spath of man from theo cradle to &
Id gfa avey yhssisnhmbered With the deadr4 4th
ptISmhfiige ahoE IA filliaznu LseM Marcy la i
lmore. :sweiloi ss esw .ags9isio sti
Ir0b0 .Upon the tidings Of Mr.. MsFcyls 4
dsEreases1 had, q wish to tell this interestil
o1story to the world. Unwilling tasrNste
96hGei5 to my memory. atldresssa Alet'
llys|as NY friend, General Towns, aands 90
r. 5mnhicatedrthskRish4o 10 himsmeH HisIreE
0n, lissehoH ihefpfsT msssin esvhieh hels6.
I'd "Please say as little of me as ron 81
of, It cats only be said that q hoy, who b
ofibsslsnnfoftnn dealt With. happen
x. TO beeone . pupil cf innines and I happen
ylto discover hefwas 3 lad aof noble rair
ed Hand thstspfopsr direction and chsnge
l.. 49, -