The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1860-09-06

THE FIRST KIND WORD.

"Was yourlesson difficult ?" kindly inqur-
ed u young teacher of a ragged and uncouth
looking lad about ten years of age, who was
one of class who had Just finished recita-
tion--"was your lesson difficult, my boy 2"
The boy thus addressed raised his large,
gray eyes with an inqulring look as if to sat
isfy himself that words, breaLhed in so sweet
tone were intended for him; but as he met
his teachers gentle gaze they fell, and, drop
ping his he forcbore to reply. His teacher,
perceiving that he felt the rebuke, deemed it
sufficient and said no more, but dismissed the
class. This Johnny by name, was the son
of poor parents, both of whom were habitual
to the use of ardent spirits and, of course,
grossly neglected their children, beating and
abusing them, as their excited passions
prompted; seldom and perhaps never let from
their lips word of kindly interest even, much
less of love. Johnny being of a mischevous
temperament, was the recipient of unbound
ed harshmess; but this disposition he owed to
the privilege of attendance at the village
school, whittier he was sent TO be "out of
the way" This was the first time he had
been under the care of the present teacher,
whom | will call Miss Almer. Johnny pos
sessed quick and retentive mind, and when
he chose to apply himself. could stand at the
head of his class.
But his halflearned lessons came oftener
than his perfect ones, and always brought
him severe reprimand, and often chastise-
ment, which seemed to have no other effect
than to harden and debase him. Growing
up under such influences at home
and at school, he became morose and i'll
tempered boy, disliked and stunned by his
| schoolmates, on whom he sought to revenge
himself by all the petty annoyances his fer
tile brain could devise. Such was the lad
when he became a pupil of Miss Almer She
had reproved him for his first error gently,
as was her wont, and trusting 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
tone was so rare as to awaken astorishment
1t fell among the rude thoughts and feelings
2f his heart as flower among thorns. 1t
was to his ear, that was wont to catch on y
the harsh tones of unkindness as a strain OF
sweet melody after jar of discord 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 until
all the pupils had left, and was walking along
homeward when this, to her, trihing event OF
the day, was brought to her mind by obser-
wing Johnny sitting by the roadside, appa.
rently waiting for her. When she came to
him he rose and offered her nosegay of vi
olets, saying. "Please, ma'am, will you take
these ?"
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, ,des-
pite its disgusting appearance, and as she
ceased speaking, his eyes were lifted to hers
with the same expression as in the morning,
and tear was making furrow through the
dirt that begrimmed his face.
"Johnny, what is the matter ?" asked his
teacher in surprise.
"What you said." falteringly uttered the
boy; edo you love me ?"
"Indeed do" was Miss Almer's reply;
"but something must trouble you. Can l do
anything for you?" .
"Oh, you have done more for me than
any one else, for no one ever loved me le-
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 all"
"Well, tell me all, !" said his teacher. touch
ed by his earnest tone. So saying, she led
him to large stone and babe him sit by her
there, and as he unfolded his wrongs done
as well as received, she mingled her tears
with his, which flowed freely. The satloug,
and ere they parted she had given lest to his
eager heart, by promising to be his friend.
The next morning he was missed from his
place at sch 'ol, and at its close 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
he had gone no one knew -o.
Many years after this (6fteen. think,
Miss Aimee was visiting far away from the
| scenes OF her earlp lahors and dnrinp hal