Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1860-05-12
miscellaneous.
Prom the Iowa School Jsurnal.
THE WORST BOY IN SCHOOL.
Ut MRS. CAROLINE A. souLE.


dirty barefooted too, wore nm old straw hat, so
much 10 pieces that his tangled locks, stuck up
every Which way through the holes. lie was
throwing stones at a robins nest that hung high
in a cherry tree, AID screeching all the time in a
way that made one involuntarily clap his hands
to his cars.
Il am sorry to say it is,' replied Deacon Gray.
The worst boy in school, too, the one that will
make you the most trouble. Indeed l don't be-
lieve you'll ever be able to do ~suything with him
He's as strong as a giant, little short fellow as he
is. He logged the teacher last winter and left
him for dead. He's the worst boy, take him all in
oil, | ever saw
Has he parents p
No his mother died when he was a baby, and
bis father, a hard working mar, hadn't any time to
see to him, and the child, l expect, had a pretty
hard time of it, with one old maid and another
for housekeeper. When he was five years old his
father died, aud since that he has been tossed
from pillar to post. lie is naturally a bright boy,
and il his mother had lived he might have beer
somebody, for she was just one Of the most patient
loving women you ever saw in all your life q
christian woman, if there ever was one
Poor boy Miss Morton spoke tenderly.
What a pity somebody don't adopt him, take him
into their home and heart
That's just what l told father many a time,'
said Mrs. Gray. looking up from the bread she
was kneading. I've always said if some one
would only take him and do by him as they would
do by their own born child, it would be the saliva
tion Of him.
Mother wanted l should take him this spring,
when be was out Of a place, but l told her it was
too risky. If l hadn't any children l might per-
baps, but - have such a rough, tearing, swearing.
mischievous boy here all the time with my three
little girls, learning oil sorts of business to that
youngster there, and be pointed to a ~two-yoar old
boy who sat on the floor, playing with pussy :;
L couldn't risk it no way. Yet l am sorry for
him.
That's what everybody says, continued his wife.
They are all sorry FOR him. but no one is willing
10 try and reform him, and if it amt done soon,
it'll be too late, for just as sure as he goes on the
way he is now, he'll be 10 the penitentiary before
he's twen!y-one'
4 wish you had taken him in Miss Merton
spoke earnestly.
You won't wish so q month hence said the
Deacon, just wait till you've seen him cut up
But if l do think 50 four weeks from now, will
you take him 7 Say yes please do and she
lhlu uuuu OOuuuluRy Oh lis uIm'
We'll, yes if after that time you think you
can do anything with him, why, III try him
spell,-he's a hard case.
Miss Merton looked out of the window again
The boy had now climbed over the paling ant
was now starting up the tree. She went out qui
city into the front yard. There were not man,
flowers in bloom yet, only a few dafodils, buncI
of feur de lyS, and a box of violets. She gather
cd = few Of the latter and ~sauntered leisurly dow
the gravelled walk, pausing now and then I
look at the ANIMALS just peeping out of the mois
ground. By and by she reached the cherry tree
on whose loves: bough the boy yet stood, for h
had not advanced a foot since she came out, hav
ing been closely eying her.
What are you trying to get, little boy p Sh
spoke pleasantly, and a lovely smile played abou
her lips.
"A robins nest, ma'am.' lie was no liar, will
all his faults.
%. I wouldn't Her voice had a grieved tone
1t would be such q pity, when the birds hav
just finished it. Are there eggs in itr
4 don't know; I'll see,' and he climbed rapid,
TO the nest. Yes ma'am, FOUR He didn't touc'
them, but came down again to the loves
bough.
'There'll be little birds soon, then, aud it'll b
go pleasant for me to watch them. l wish 20
wouIdn'; touch them.
L won't ma'am. i didn't want it for myself,b BIT
poor little Tommy said last night he wished h
had a string Of birds eggs to look at. Tommy
lame, ma'am, and can't get out much, and he ge
lonesome, and wants something to play with. S
/ thought I'd get him some,'
is Tommy your brother p
F. mo rnatann T nevar had anu hrnthar nr aiet
either. His voice sortened as he spoke. He b
longs to the folks where l stay
'Pr! send Tommy something as pretty cs bird
eggs. See here, and she broke off a large bun
of lilacs and handed him the purple plumes. 'Ci
~ this to him. Put it in a pitcher of water, a
itn keep fresh several days and here are Sol
flowers for you and she gave him the little bun
Of Violets she had gathered. Run quick W
them now or you will be late to school. You're
ing to school, amt you p
Are you The new teacher p
tYes.'
Im going then I'll be there in time and
ran off.
Now only the night before, he had declared
and down to Tommy that be wouldn't go to scho
1t was no use. He never would be anybody. a
hS was tired of being fogged and boxed.
would't staEd it from a woman teacher. And
they sent him to school he'd play hockey
would. Yet the very next morning he was in
hurry to go, fearful that he should be late. W
will dare say therei is not magic in kind words
Miss Merton went early TO the school hou
The worst boy was already there.
All said she kiadly, you boat me. But
very glad you're here, for want to learn Sol
thing about the school. What is your name 2
l Bill Hendrickson. ma'am.'
Say William. my dear, or viii, Bill is moi
pretty nickname
It's what Pve been called ever since my fat
died. and be sighed.
Then your father is dead, poor boy She sp