The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-07-02
Power of Kindness.

Power of Kindness.
a young school-teacler had one large
boy, Joe Stanton, who was ringleader of all
mischief. The first day he managed to
make tue school scene ofroguery and con-
fusion. The poor teacher went home with
heavy heart.
The next day she thought if she could
gain the confidence Of this boy, and have
him on her side, she should have but little
trouble with her school. As it closed in
the afternoon she spoke kindly to him,
asked his help in closing the schoolroom
door.
lie readily complied. AS she turned home
ward, Joe followed. At length she inquir-
ed, Have you any sisters, Josepha'
The right chord was touched.
Il had ore sister, he said, little Mary,
but she died., and thus encouraged by the
ready sympathy Of his listener, he went on
to tell that Mary was bis only sister, and
that he used to take care of her, and play
with her, and carry her out of doors, and
draw her in the wagon lie had mado for her,
and thatshe loved him more than any one
else did, and always used to run to the door
to meet him when he came home. sBut
she is dead now,' he added, 'and have
not anybody that takes care of me. She
had fever, and she did not know me when
spoke to her, and in just week she died.
Her grave is right over here,' he continued.
and perhaps you would like to see it come
time
The teacher willingly went with him,
asking him still further about little Mary as
they passed along, till at length as they ap-
preached the grave and sat down upon a
stone near it, poor Joe could no longer wipe
away the tears as be had done, when one by
one they trickled down, for the fountains with
in were broken up. lie covered his face with
his hands, and wept aloud.
She's dead he exclaimed again, .and
nobody cares for me now
4 will care for you, Joseph said the
kind teacher, as she laid her hands upon
his now uncovered head, and then she
spoke to him of heaven, and the happy meet.
ing of those whom death has severed. and
of One who cares for US more than all earth.
Iy friends, and who will keep US if we wish
to do right.
Then as he grew calm, and they had ris.
en- to 60, she told him Other own sorrow
OF the father whom she had lost, of he,
wish to be useful while she supported her.
selfby teaching, of how hard the West
Brook school seemed to her, and how she
still meant to do the best she could for him
and for all her scholars.
TIL help ye, Miss Mason" responded Joe.
I'll help ye all can,' and then the old mis-
chievous twiDkling coming again, he added
guess the rest of the boys won't trouble
you much. They'll do pretty much as
want 'em to-
| Joe was subdued and won by tie powe,
OF kindness. And hard indeed must be the
heart that kindness will not win.
|
The LoAF.-Once upon time, during
a famine, rich man invited twenty of the
poorer children in the town to his house
and said to them:
''1n this basket there is loaf of bread
for each of you; take it, and come back
every day at this hour, till God sends us
better times"
I The children pounced upon the basket
wrangled and fought for the bread, and eacl,
wished TO get the largest loaf; and at las!
went away, without even thanking him.. Z
Francesca alone, a poor bat neatly dress.
Cd girl, stood modestly apart, took the
smallest loaf which was left in the basket
greatfully kissed the gentlemsn,s hand. and
then went home in i. quiet md tbseo,liniue
manpsr. S. - y, 3
aBin, What brought you 10 prison an
i "a couple n cons.ables ssf
aApd bad liquor anything Is Is do Nil, Il r.
\ .Yss, sir; Elizateased rns,so, / bad 10