Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1860-09-21
Sfistettanp. j.
From the Independent
THE FIRST KIND WORD.

THE FIRST KIND WORD.
"Was your lesson difficult" kindly
inquired young teacher of ragged,
uncouth looking lad about ten years, who
was one of class which had just finished
a recitation-''was your lesson difficult,
my boy?' -.
The boy thus addressed, raised his
large gray eyes with inquiring look, as
If to satisfy that words breathed in SO
sweet tone, were intended for him; but,
as he met his teachers gentle gaze, they
fall, and dropping his head, he forbore
to reply. His teacher perceiving that
he felt the rebuke, and deemed it suffic
lent, said no more, and dismissed the
class. This lad, Johnny, by name, was
the son of poor parents, both of whom
were habituated to the use, of ardent
spirits, and, of course, grossly neglected
their children, beating and abusing them
as their excited passions prompted, sell
dom or perhaps never let fall from their
lips word of kindly interest even, much
less of love. Johnny being Of mis-
chievous temperament, was the recipient
of unbounded harshness; but to this dis
position he owed the privilege of attend
ance at the village school whittier he
was sent to ''be out of the way" This
was the first day he had been under the
care of the. present teacher, whom | will
call Miss Almer. Johnny possessed a
quick and retentive mind, and when he
choose to apply himself, could stand at
the head of his class.
But his half learned lessons came Oft
ener than his perfect ones, and always
brought him severe reprimand, and of
ten a chastist ment, which seemed to have
no other effect than to harden and de-
base him. Growing up under such in
huences at home and at school, he be-
came morose and ill-tempered boy
Disliked and Stunned by his school
mates, on whom he sought to revenge
himself by all the petty annoyances his
fertile brain could devise. Such was the
lad when he became the pupil of Miss
Almer. She had rebuked for his first
error gently, as was her wont, and trust
ing to the potency Of such reproof, had
dismissed him from her mind; but not
so easily were the kind words forgotten
by the poor boy, to whom so gentle a
tone was so rare as to awaken astonish-
ment. 1t fell among the rude thoughts
and feelings of his heart, as flower
among thorns. It was to his ear, that
was wont to catch only the harsh tones
Of unkindness, as strain of sweet mel
ody after a jarring diseord. Oh! 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; 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, appar-
emily waiting for her. When she came
to him, he rose and offered her nose
gay Of violets, saying, "Please ma am,
will you take these?
Certainly, Johnny, they are very
sweet, and the finest I 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 expression
as in the morning, and tear was making
furrow through the dirt that be-
grimmed his face.
Johnny, what is the matter?" asked
his teacher in surprise.
"What you said, falteringly uttered
the boy. ':Do you love me?''
'Indeed I do, was Miss Almer's re-
ply. "But something must trouble you.
Can I do anything for your
ooh, you have done more for me than
any one else, for nobody ever loved me
before; but [ thought you did when you
didn't scold me for not getting my les
son. But I'm dreadful boy, you don t
know 1t ALL
''Well, tell me ALL" answered the
teacher. touched by the earnestness of
his manner. So saying she led him to
large stone, and babe him sit by her
there, and, as he unfolded his tale of
wrongs done as well as received, she
mingled her tears with his, which flowed
quite freely. They sat long; and ere
they parted, she had given rest to his
eager heart by promising to be his
friend.
The next morning johnny was missed
from his place at school, and at the
close Of school Miss Almer called at
the rude hut which had been his home
to learn the cause of his absence, and
to her surprise, found it vacated
Whittier the people had gone no one
knew.
Many years after this (ffteen I think }
Miss Almer was visiting far away
from this scene of her early labors, and
in her visit attended meeting for teach
ers. Remarks were offered and expert
fences related, by many laborers in the
good work of instructing youth, and, al