The Oxford intelligencer. (Oxford, Miss.) 1860-18??, 1860-11-14
The Brave Boy.
A FAITHFUL STORY FOR THE BOYS.

1
Amongm my schoohellows were Hartley and Jem-
son. They were somewhat older than myself,
and to Jemson looked up as sort of leader in
matters of opinion, as well as of sport He was
not at heart malicious, but he had a foolish am
bition of being thought witty, and he made
himself feared by the habit of turning things
into ridicule, and being ever on the lookout for
matter of derision.
| Hartley was a new scholar, and little was
known Of him amongst the boys. One morn
ing, as we were on the way to school, he was
seen driving a COW along the road toward a
neighboring field. A group of boys, among
whom was Jemson met him as he was passing.
The opportunity was one not to be lost by Jem.
son. "Hallor he exclaimed, whats the price
of milk 2 Isay, Jonathan what do you fodder
ONT What will you take for all the gold on her
horns 7 Boys, if you want to see the latest
Paris style, look at those boots"
Hartley, waving his hand to us with pleas
ant smile, and driving the cow to the field, took
down the bars Of a rail-fence, saw her safely in
the inclosure, and then, putting up the bars,
After school, in the afternoon, he let out the
COW, and drove her of, none of us knew where
And every day, for weeks, he went through the
same task.
The boys of B. Academy were nearly all the
sons of wealthy parents, and some of them,
among whom was Jemson, were ounces enough
to look down with a sort of disdain upon a schol-
ar who had to drive a cow The sneers and
jecrs of Jemson were accordingly often renewed.
He once, on a plea that he did not like the odor
of the barn. refused to sit next to Hartley. Oc-
casionally he would inquire after the cows
health, pronouncing the word "keow," after the
manner of some country people.
With admirable good nature did Hartley bear
all these silly attempts to wound and annoy
him. do not remember that he was even once
betrayed into a look or word of angry retalia-
tion. (GoodD
II suppose, Hartley" said Jemson one day,
''your daddy means to make a milkman of you"
"Why not 2" asked Hartley.
''Oh, nothing; only don't leave much water
in the milk cans after you rinse them, that's all |"
The boys laughed, and Hartley, not in the
least mortified, replied:
"Never fear; if ever should rise to be milk
man, I'll give good measure, and good milk,
too"
The day after this conversation there was
public examination, at which a number Of ladies
and gentlemen from the neighboring towns were
present. Prizes were awarded by the principal
of our academy, and both Hartley and Jemson
received crcditable number; for in respect to
scholarship, these two were about equal AZ
ter the ceremony of distribution, the principal
remarked that there was one prize, consisting of
a gold medal, which was rarely awarded, not so
much on account of its great cost, as because
the instances were rare which rendered its be-
stowal proper. 1t was the prize of HERoIsM.
The last boy who received one, was young Man.
ncrs, who, three years ago, rescued blind girl
from drowning. The principal then said that
with the permission of the company, he would
relate short story:
mot long SINCE some scholars were flying a
kite in the street. just as poor boy on horse
back rode by on his way to the mill The horse
took fright and threw the boy, injuring him so
badly that he was carried home, and confined
some weeks to his bed OF the scholars who
had unintentionally caused the disaster, none
followed to learn the fate of the wounded boy.
messed the accident from distance, who not on
ly went to makeinquiries, but stayed to render
services.
'This scholar soon learned that the wounded
boy was the grandson of poor widow, whose
sole support consisted in selling the milk Of
fine COW of which she was the owner Alas
what coud she now do? She was old and lame,
and her grandson, on whom she depended to
drive her COW to the pasture, was on his back,
helpless
"'Never mind, good woman said the scholar,
4 can drive your cowp
"With blessings and thanks, the old woman
accepted his Offer But his kindness did not |
stop here. Money was wanted to get articles |
from the apothecary. Il have money that my |
mother sent me to buy pair of boots with, but
can do without them for a while.
40, no. said the old woman, 4 can't consent
to that but here is pair of heavy boots that |
bought for Henry, who can't wear them. If you
would only buy these, givingus what they cost,
we should get along nicely
"The scholar bought the boots, clumsy as they
we're, and has worn them up to this time.
"Well, when it was discovered by other boys
,f the Academy that our scholar was in the hab-
I Of driving a COW, he was assailed every day
With laughter and ridicule. His cowhide boots
n particular were made matter of mirth. But
he kept on cheerfully and bravely, day after day,
never stunning observation, driving the widows
,ow and wearing his thick boots, contented in
he thought that he was doing right; caring not
or all the jeers and sneers that could be utter
d. He never undertook to explain why he
lrovt a COW, for he was not inclined to make a
aunt of his charitable motives, and further
nore, in his heart he had no sympathy with the
alse pride.that could look down with ridicule on
my useful employment 1t was by mere acci-
lent that his course of kindness and selfdenial
vas yesterday discovered by his teacher.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, appeal to
-ou, was there not true heroism in this boys
onduct3 Nay, Master Hartley, do not hide out