The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-09-20
TERMS. .sl,25 PER ANNUM.

left. and was walking alone homeward
when this to her. triaing event of the
aay. was brought TO her mind, by observA
ing Johnny sitting by the roadside, ap'
parently waiting for her. When She
came to him, he rose and offered her
nosegay of violets, saying, "Please maam
wlll YOU take these z"
"Cer;ainly, Johnny. they are very
sweet, and the finest | have seen this sea-
son; 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 lift
ed to hers with the same expression as
in the morning aud a tear was maklnga
furrow through the dirt that begrimmed
/ his face.
johnny, what is the matter!' asked
his teacher, in surprise:
'NNhat you said,' falteringly uttered
the boy. "Do you love me y
"Iudeed do,'' was Miss Almer's re-
ply. "But something must trouble you.
Can | do anything for you :"
"Oh, you have done more for me thar
any one else, for nobody ever loved me
before; but | thought you did when pou
did Mt scold me for not getting my lesson.
But I'm dreadful boy! you don't know
it all"
"Wen, tell me all," answered his teach'
er, touched by the earnestness of his man.
uer. So saying she led him to large
stone, and bade him sit by her there, and
as be unfolded his tale of wrongs done as
we'll as received, she mingled her tears
with his, which flowed freely. They sat
long, and ere they parted, she had given
rest to his eager heart BY promising ever
to be his friend.
/ lhe next morning Johnny was missed
from his place at school, aud at the close
of school, Miss Almcr called at the rude
hutwhicil had been his home, to learn
tbs cause of his absence, and to her sur.
prise, found it vacated. Whittier the
, people had gone no one knew.
! Many years after this, (fifteen think,)
{ Miss Altuer was visiting far away from
this scene Of her early labors, and during
her visit, attended a meeting for teachers.
Remarks were offered and experiences
lrclltcd, br =rany Iaborers II the good
work of instructing youth, and, at length
a gentleman rose and expressed wish to
saw word TO a band of teachers on the
power of kindness. and in the course of
: his remarks, related the story have CIV
en- above, closing with these or nearly
these words i---
~ am that lad those were the first
words of kindness | remember ever to
have had addressed me. They have
been my talisman, my guiding star
through life They have made me what
am, God helping me, it shall be the
aim of my life to reward the friend of my
youth, 10 the only way in my power,
r namely, by precept and example, and the
, iafuence Of the divine principle OF love
, which actuated her,"
Miss Almer listened to this recital
j, siLh an agitated heart, for she recognized
! in the speaker the little Johnny whom
she had never forgotten. She sought an
> Interview, and learned his history. How,
after leaving his early home, the love of
! virtue, which she had reused in his bo-
, som, was ever leading him away from his
evil courses, and urging him to higher
r life.
Need ve say to any teacher who may
read this, Go thou and do likewise?"
All may not meet with SO speedy re-
f,A'
. member that The time is not yet, and II
> we labor faithfully, we may hope that the
3 guerdon shall yet be ours TO find that
some poor soul has been rescued frolh
. degradation by our endeavors, to shin6
forever, a star in the Savior's coronet!
A hrrsh word will kill, where a gentls
one will make alive -lndependent