The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-08-05
For the National Era.
TO THE YOUTH WHO READ THE NATIONAL
ERA.

Thirty years ago, was little boy, like some
of you. 1 then lived in Ireland. You all know
where that is; for, in this country, you all study
geography at school; and almost every child
that can read has seen an atlas; SO that many
little children have a correct idea of distant
countries. 1t was not so with me. had never
seen map. My idea was that the world con-
sisted of four great islands, Ireland, England,
Scotland, and America. l always heard that
America was extensive; so 1 thought it lar ger
than England or Scotland, but it never entered
into my head that it might be as great as Ire,
land. had sometimes heard of Asia and Afri.
ca, but thought them of little account.
/ was born on the banks of Bonnie Bann, -
80 the poet called it; but he need not have used
the epithet bonnie" as the name B ann sig.
ni6es the same thing. 1t well deserved the
name of handsome, for the spotted trout and
active pike sported in the clear waters that flowed
along its pebbly bed. The graceful swan, ven.
turing up from Tough Neagh, sometimes dim
pied its smooth stream with her white, arching
neck. Its sloping banks waved with green corn
(oats) the whole simmer long; for, in that cool
climate, the grain sown in March was harvested
in October. And its holmes (Aats) we're white
with fine linen webs, bleaching for the foreign
market.
The first great event in my life occurred when
was about four years of age. had two broth.
ers older than myself, who went to school to a
tnon II III u 4
half fool, but he had sense enough to whip
the scholars well.
When my brothers would come home, would
ask the younger, "Wur ye bate much the day,
William"
80, aye" was often the answer, "when
would have done saying my lesson, the master
would take me up and beat me, till you would
hear crying at Debby Hanna's"
Where Debby Hanna lived, did not know,
but supposed it was at least half mile from
the scbool-house. This frightened me so, l
would not 60 to him. At length, through the
exertions of an association in Dublin, called
the Kildare street society,"" the schools in Ire
land we're placed on better footing, and Mr..
McIlvain had to yield his place to James Moore,
who had passed the Board of Inspectors in Dub.
lin.
On the first morning that he commenced, my
father, little Roman-nosed, gray.eyed, ener.
getic Irishman, took me on his back, and started
for school. Every man he met, he asked, " Is
the new maisther comet" until the uniform
answer, "Aye," assured me that all was WE'LL
l soon got in good spirits, as well l might. /
was under no apprehension of being whipped,
my pockets were full of hard oaten-c cake, had
beautiful paddle with the alphabet pasted on
it, and had an idea my father would stay all
day with me. In the last anticipation, however,
l was doomed to grevious disappointment.
Nor was this the only disappointment / ex.
however superior to Mr.. McIlvain the present
teacher might be in common sense and educa.
ton, he had the same ideas about discipline
He had about as much Yankee tact in min.
Cling pleasantly with frmness, and making dry
studies agreeable, as hog has of politeness.
The tawse with him, like patent pills with US,
was q remedy for all diseases. 1t was only
when he was drunk that his brow relaxed into
good humor, to give him joke and us laugh.
But, as he was q respectable man and mem.
Der of the Presbyterian church, that occurred
but seldom, aud we we're sorry for it.
We sat six weary hours in school without
noon or recess. In lieu of dinner, any one Nigh,
eat bite at any time without leaving bis seat.
We might study as loud as we could whisper,
but to have any communication or even to lock
off the book, was considered punishable of.
fence-a rule which was either enforced or neg.
lected, according to the leisure of the teacher.
IRISH JAMIE.
A gentleman, feeling great partially for a
young lady, whose name was Noyes, was de.
sirous, without the ceremony of formal court.
ship, to ascertain her sentiments. For this
purpose he said to her, one day, with that kind
of air and manner which means either Jest or
earnest, as you choose to take it.:
"1f were to ask you whether you were under
matrimonial engagements to any one, what
answer?"
The first" said she, in the same tone, f E
an answer.
Sand were 1 to ask you if you were inclined
to form such an engagement, should such pc.
son offer who loved yoa, and was not indiffer.
emit to yourself, what p,rt of your name might
be then taken as an apswer?"
The last"
"And if tell you lat love you, and ask
you to form such an ei ,agement with me, then
what part of your man, may take 2"
40, then" replied SEe blushine girl, " take
the Whole name, a. in Srch case I would cheer.
fully resign it for yourt2
1t is almost needless 10 add that they wer
aoon aftarvards rnayv;ax