Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-08-08
From the Iuaependent.l
The First Kind Word.

" Was your lesson difieult?'' kindly in
quired a young teacher of a ragged, uncouth
looking lad OF about ten years, who was one
Of a class which had just finished recitation
:. was your lesson difficult, my boy p
The boy thus addressed, raised his large
gray eyes with inquiring look. as if to satisfy
himself that words, breathed in so sweet a
tone were intended for him; but, as he mel
his teachers gentle gaze, they fell, ard. drop.
ping his head, he forbore to reply. His
teacher perceiving that he felt the rebuke. and
deeming II sufficient, said no more, and dis
missed the class. This lad, Johnny by name
was the son Of poor parents, both of whom
were habituated 10 the use of ardent spirits
and, Of course, grossly neglected their chill
dren, beating and abusing them as their ex-
cited passions prompted, seldom and perhaps
never let fall from their lips word OF kindly
interest even, much less oflove. Johnny be
ing OF mischieyous temperament, was the
recipient Of unbOunded harshness; but Il
this disposition he owed the privilege of at
tendance at the village school, whittier he
was sent 10 ''be out Of the wav." This wa.
the hrst day he had been under the care OF
the present teacher, whom l will call Miss
Almer. Johnny possessed quick and re-
tentive mind, and, when he chose to apply
himself, could stand at the head of his class
But his halt-learned lessons came oftener
than his perfect ones, and always brought
hun severe reprimand, and often chastise.
ment, which seemed to have no other effect
than 10 harduu and JvtzLse him. Growing
up under such influences at home and a
OH NO 1- =
boy, disliked and Stunned by his school
mates on whom he sought to revenge him
self by all the petty annoyances his fertile
brain could devise. Such was the lad when
he became pupil of Miss AImer. She had
rebuked him for his first error gently, as was
her wont, and, trusting to the potency of such
reproof had dismissed him from her mind
but not so easily were the kind words forgot
ten by the poor boy, to whom so gentle a
tone was so rare as to awaken establishment
ltfell among The rude thoughts and feelings
Of his heart, as flower among thOrns. II
was 70 his ear, that was wont to catch only
the harsh tones of unkindness as a strain OF
sweet melody after q jarring discord. OH
why do we so often withhold that which
costs so little to give, and yet may prove such
a treasure TO the receiver But TO the story
Miss Almer fingered at the school room til
all the pupils hadleft, and was walking alon,
hOmeward, when this. to her triAing even
Of the day, was brought to her mind, by Oh
serving Johnny sitting by the roadside, ap
parently waiting for her When she camG
to him, he rose and offered her a uosegay O
violets, saying, 'Please ma'am will you talk,
these2'
Certainly, Johnny, they are very sweet
and the finest 1 have seen this season; I low
them dearly, and you, too, for bringing then
| to me-
She had taken the boys hand in hers, de
spite its disgusting appearance, and, as shu
finished speaking, his eyes were lifted to her
with the same expression as in the morning
elld tear was making q furrow through th
dirt that begrmmed his face.
"JOhnny, what is the matter ?" asked hi
teacher, in surprise.
"What you said, p falteringly uttered tn
boy. ado you love me27
"Indeed 1 do, was Miss Almers reply
" But something must trouble you. Can
do anything for your
oh, you hare done more for me than an
one else, for nobody ever loved me before
but thought you did when you didn't seol
me for not getting my lesson. But I'm
dreadful boy; you don't know it all
"Well, tell me all, answered his teacher
touched by the earnestness of his manner
So saying, she led him to a large stone, an
bade him sit by her there, and, as he unfold
ed his tale of wrongs done as well as received
she mingled her tears with his, which fOwe
freely. They sat long, and ere they parted
she had given rest to his eager heart by prom
ising ever TO be his friend.
The next morning Johnny was missed fro1
his place at school, and at the close Of schoC
Miss Almer called at the rude hut which ha
| been his home TO learn the cause Of his at
sence, and, to her surprise, found It vacated
Whittier the people had gone no one knew.
Many years after this fifteen think, Mis-
Almer was visiting far away from this seen
Of her early labOrs, and during her visit, al
tended q meeting for teachers. Remarks wer
offered and experiences related, by many Is
borers in the good work Of instructing you'll
and, at length gentleman rose and eKpresse
q wish to say word to the band Of teacher
on the power Of kindness, and in the cOurs
of his remarks, related the story have Civ
en- above, closing with these, or nearly thes
word: |TE
q | am that lad those were the first igorc
Of kindness / remember ever to have had ad
dressed 70 me- They have been my tall!
man, my guiding star through life The
have made me what am, and, God helpin
me, it shall be the aim Of my life 10 rewar
the friend of my youth, in the only way
my power, namely, by living so as to sprea'
BY precept and example, the influence {
the divine principle Of love which actuate
her" e
Miss Almer listened to this recital with a
agltated heart for sine recognized in Ii
speaker the little Johny whom she had nevs
forgotten. ShszB5aghI an interview. an
learned his history How, after leaving h
early home, the love of virtue, which She ba
reused IN his bosom, was ever leading biz
away from eyil courses, and 6fginF him to
higher life. aIT y
y Need we say to any teacher who may rea
this, Go thou and do likewiseg' All ma