Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1857-12-26
For the Register.

kindness is furnished by the life OF the
late Secretary Marcy. The following
from the Boston transcripts said TO be
from the pen of Lewis NJ. Sargant.
c. w. A.
"Many years ago, I passed the night
under the hospitable roof OF the Hon. Sa-
lem Towne, of Charlton, in the county OF
Worcester. As we sat together IN the
evening, and were speaking of education
and of schools, Mr.. Towne informed me
that about the year 1900, he taught a
school in the southwestern district OF
Charlton. An inhabltant Of Sturbrldge,
the adjoining town, had son, OF whose
abilities and general character he appear
ed TO entertain a low estimate, and OF
HON he spoke to Mr.. Towne "desPara-
glngIy as boy who gave him trouble.
Mr.. Towne. notwithstanding tins pa'er-
nal forewarning, consented 10 receive The
lad on probation.
On the evening Of the very first day,
. the school agent came TO the teacher, ana
! told him that the boy was bad boy, and
would disturb the whole schoo, and must
be turned out. The agent, very prob
ably received his impressions from me
judicious parent, who seems TO have
made no secret of his opinion. Mr..
Towne rejected this hasty counsel, and
informed the agent that he should keep
waichlul eye upon the Iad,and he thought
il would be time enough 10 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 fist time, to
recle his lesson, and had gotten through,
Mr.. Towne told him TO shut up his book.
He did so, but instantly recoIIed and
lodged his head,as if he expected blow.
The teacher inquired what was the mat
ter the boy replied that he supposed he
should be beaten; and being asked II he
had been accustomed 10 such usage, he
replied in the affirmative. Mr.. Tonne
then uuieled hissaarm, and assured him
that he had nothing to fear, il he conduc-
ted himself well, and encouraged him, by
commencing his recitation; and was so
Impressed by the lads manner OF receIV-
ing The appreciation, that he ventured TO
say to him. Il believe you are a good
boy" These words not only entered al
the ear-they reached the heart. | will
not adopt The strong expression which
one heard from the intelligent Jesuit, and
say that The teacher had found master
KEY TO the soul Of his disciple; but from
that hour, he had eife1lualIy turned the
switch. The beautiful appea-"My son
give me thy heart" had not been thus ST.
lentIy in vain. The lad told his associ-
ates that slough others had said he was a
bad boy, Mr.. Towne'had told him he be-
lieved he was good boy, and he was
sure he wished TO be good boy. |
Not long alter, The school agent came
again, and earnestly required that this boy
should be dismissed from The school.
Win this request Mr., Towne refused 10
comply: and said that he "liked the aP-
pearance and conduct Of the boy, and
thought that, with some little illustration
of tie law of kindness he would make
himself known TO the world as useful
citizen"
The youth continued to attend the
school, daily and steadily and ProhlabIy,
for two winters. At the close of the sec-
ond winter the father came TO Mr.. Towne,
and said 4: "Bil says that you say | must
send him TO college and have him fitted
with some private family, not at an acad-
emy." The father inquired Of Mr..
Towne what he had seen in Biz 10 JUST.
fy the idea OF sending him to college. ii
see" SAID Mr. Towne, "a boy that you
will hear from in after life.
Mr.. Towne recommended the Rev. MIR.
Lyman, OF Connecticut, as an instructor.
This course was followed; the boy went
to college. and lbe predictions OF his kind
and udicous primary teacher have been
verfed-the boy was heard from in after
life After having filled many stations OF
The very first importance in our country, ,
& passed the seyetIeth mile stone in the
path of man from the cradle to the grave, 4.
he is numbered with the dead-thsl Sur !
bridge boy, William l.. Marcy, Is no :
more
Upon the iidings of Mr.. Msrcy's de- :
cease, had a wish to tell This Interesting ,
story to the world. Unwilling 10 trust !
entirely 10 my memory, ] addressed let :
er to my friend, General Towne, and !
that wish 10 him. HIS re- (
,ly is now before me, In which he says
Please say as liuIe OF ne as you can. ii =
an only he said that boy.wno had been r
dealt with happened 10 be- =
.oms pupil of mine; and | happened to 2
ilscnver that he was lad oil noble mind, +;
md that proper direction and change OF
,oticv only were neees sarv TO make him
nan whose Influence might in siler life be }
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