The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-05-30
s select MistelIanp
From the Iowa School Journal
THE WORST BOY IN SCHOOL
MRS. CAROLINE A. soULE.

is that one of my scholarsg
Miss Merton, the new teacher, pointed to a
lad just outside the garden fence. He was
ragged and dirty; barefooted too, wore an old
straw hat, so much in pieces that his tangled
locks, stuck up fevery which way through the
holes. He was throwing stones at robins
nest that hung high in cherry tree, and
screeching all the time in way that made one
involuntarily clap his hands to his ears.
q 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, don't
believe you'll ever be able to do anything with
him. He's as strong as giant, little short fell
| low as he is. He fogged the teacher last win
ter, and left him for dead. He's the worst
! boy, take him all in all, ever saw
HAS he parents
No; his mother died when he was baby,
and his father, hard-working man, hadn't
any time to see to him, and the child, I expect,
had pretty hard time of it, with an old maid
and another for housekeeper. When he was
five years old, his father died, and since that
he has been tossed from pillar to post He is
naturally. bright boy, and if his mother had
| lived he might have been somebody, for she
was just one Of the most patient, loving wo-
men you ever saw in all your life; christian
woman, if there ever was one.'
| Poor boyp Miss Morton spoke tenderly.-
what pity somebody don't adopt him, take
him into their home and heart
That's just what told father many time,
said Mrs. Gray, looking up from the bread she
was kneading. Give 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 salvation of him.
Mother wanted I should take him this
spring, when he was out of place, but told
her it was too riskey. If 1 hadn't any chill
dren I might perhaps, but to have such a
rough, tearing, swearing, znischievous boy here
| all the time with my three little girls, learning
all sorts of business to that youngster there,
and he pointed to two.year old boy who sat
on the floor, playing with pussy; 4 couldn't
risk it no way. Yet am sorry for him.
That's what everybody says continued his
wife. They are all sorry for HIM, but no one
is willing to try and reform him. and if it amt
be goes on the way he is now, he'll be = the
| penitentiary before he's twenty one.'
81 wish you had taken him in.' Miss Mer-
| ton spoke earnestly.
sYou won't wish so month hence said the
Deacon, Just wait TIL you've seen him cut up
| But if do think so four weeks from now,
VII you take him? Say yes: please do,' and
she laid her hand confidently on his arm.
well, yes; if after that time you think you
i CdH uO Will why II LEJ u1ul q
| spelP-he's a hard case.
Miss Morton looked out of the window again.
The boy had climbed over the paling and was
now starting up the TIE. She went out quiet
ly into the front yard. There were not many
flowers in bloom yet, only few dafIodils, a
bunch of .t7e,r ,Ie Iys, and a box OF yiolets.-
She gathered few of the latter and sauntered
leisurely down the gravelled walk, pausing
now and then to look at the ANIMALS just peep
! ing out of moist ground. by aud by she
reached the cherry tree, on whose lowest bough
| the boy yet stood, for be had NOT adva1ced a
foot since she came out, having been closely
cycling her. 7sfs -
| what are you trying to get, little boy p
She spoke pleasantly, and a lovely smile play
ed about her lips. - .-5sTs.r -,
"A robins nest ma'am.' He was no liar,
with all his faults.
| 20, ] wouldn't Her voice had a grieved
tone 1T would be such pity, when the
birds have just finished it. Are there eggs in
itp+ao S .osz 45f f5so .
q don't know; I'll see,' and he climbed rap
idly to the nest. iYes a'am, four He
/ didn't touch them, but came down again to
the lowest bough.
] sThere'n be little birds soon, then, and it'll
4 be so pleasant for me to- watch them wish
Won wouldn't touch them. - - - - =
aIwon't, Da'am.. Ididn't want it for myself,
but poor little Tommy said last night he wish
ed be had string of birds eggs to look at
a