Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1860-09-06
MORAL & RELIGIOUS
The First Kind Word.

Was your lesson difficult ? kindly en-
quired young teacher Of ragged, un-
couth looking lad Of about ten years. who
was one of a class which had Just finished
a recitation, was your lesson difficult, my
boy" "
The boy thus addressed, raised his large
gray eyes with enquiring look, as if to sat
lsfy himself that words breaihed in so
sweet tone, were intended for him but
as be met his teachers gentle -aze. they
iell, aud dropping his head, he forbore tore
ply. His teacher percelvln9 that he felt the
rebuke, aud decming it sufficient, said no
more, and dismissed the class. This lad,
johnny by name, was the son Of poor pa
rents, both Of whom were habituated to the
use Of ardent spirits, and, OF course, gross
iy neglected their children, beating and
abusing them, as their excited passions
prompted; seldom, aud perhaps never let
from their lips a word Of kindly interest
even, much less Of love
Johuny being Of rischicvous temper
anlent, was the recipient Of unbourdcl
haishncss: but to this disposition he owed
privilege Of attendance .: the village school,
"!ther lie was sent to lie out Of the way
This was The first day he had been under
the care Of the present teacher, whom
VIII call Miss Amcr. Johnny possessed
quick and rtteutiye mind, aud when he
chose to apply himself could stand at the
head Of his class.
But his halfIearned lessons cane oftener
il.ap ,.,f.f,o+
him a severe reprjmand, and often a chas-
tisement, which seemed to have no other
effect than to harden and debaso him.
Growing up under such influences at home
and at school, he became d morose and Ill
tempered boy, disliked and Stunned by his
schoolmates on whom he sought to revenge
himself by all the petty annoyauccs his fer
tile brain could devise. Such was the lad
when he became a pupil Of Miss Almer.
She had rebuked him for his first error
gently, as was her wont, and, trusting to
tn potency of such reproof, had dismissed
him from her mind but not 50 easily were
the KIM words forgotten by the poor boy,
to whom SO gentle tone was so rare as to
awaken a>tonishment. It fell among the
rude thoughts and feelings Of his heart, as
a flower among thorns. 1t was to his ear,
that was wont to catch only the harsh tones
Of unkindness, as strain Of sweet melody
after jarring discord Ga 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 till all
the pupils had left, and was walking alone
homeward, when this, to her, trifing event
of the day, was brought to her mind, by
observing Johnny sitting by the roadside,
waiting for her. When she
came to him, he rose and offered her a nose
gay Of violets, saying, Please ma'am, will
you take these p
Certainly, Johnny, they are very sweet,
and the finest | have seen this season; |
love them dearly, and you too, for bringing
them to me-
She had taken the boys hand in hers,
despite its disgusting appearance, and, as
she finished speaking. his eyes were lifted
to hers with the same expsession as in the
morning, and tear was making a furrow
the dirt that begrimmed his face.
Johnny, what is the matter? asked his
teacher, in surprise.
What you said, falteringly uttered the
boy. DO you love me?
Indeed, [ do was Miss Almer's reply.
But something must trouble you. Can |
do anything for you?
oh, you have done more for me than
any one else, for nobody ever loved me be-
fore; but [ thought you did when you
didn't scold me for not getting my lesson.
but I'm dreadful boy you don't know it
all