Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-02-14
an Old Time SOhoolmaster.

There are many persons now residing in the
city of Philadelphia who, remembering back
some thirty years, can recall the honest face
of sturdy pedagogue from the North of Ire
land, by the name Of w, stern disciplinarau
OF the old school who believed that learning as
often went in with "thwack,r as an inclua-
ton. Among the pupils of honest old w,
was one who, has since arisen to some distnc-
ton, but who, during his school boy days, was
generally regarded as a thick headed, lazy fel
low, and was sure to get old WIS attention in
the warming way" every semi-occaSOnally.
One!day when Johnny had forgotten to study
his lesson, as usual, the old dominic blandIy
requested him to take his place on the foor
as he had few words which he wished to say
to him. johnny Of course, stepped out with
fear and trembling, and was greatly astOnish-
ed to hear his stern teacher address him in q
very kind and gentle tone
Johnny, my son." said w, "yere of a
good family, so you are"
Johnny, who expected q pretty severe pun
ishment, and had already begun to whine and
dig his kuhckes into his eyes, looked up in the
greatest imaginable surprise.
q say Johnny" pursued the dominic, "ye're
of good family-d'ye understand ?"
All thank y on, sir !" replied the lad, with
an air of some confidence
Yes, johnny, | repeat, ye're Of good
family, as good family as me own. | knew
your father, Johnny, in the ould country and
this lad and man-and a better and
honester lad and man, Johnny, never knew
ayther side of the big deep"
"Thank you sir ~ said Johnny, with q
pleasant smile, and furtiVe glance Of triumph
at some of his playmateS.
And | knew your mother, too Johnny
and dear swate little girl she was afOre she
grew up and married your father, johnny; and
after that she was blessed bride, and as kind
hearted and lovely mother and mistress Of q
family Johnny as ver left the blessed shores
of ould Ireland
Yes, sr-oh, thank you, sir y responded
the delighted Johnny.
"Ah, Jhonny your father and mother and
myself have seen some happy days across the
great seas !" sighed the sentimental schoolmas
ter; days that I'm, knowing now will never
return to me again. And then your sisters,
Johnny-you'ye got fine sisters, too, that
have known since they were toddlings, and
which same now are ornaments to inny society
Johnny"
"Oh, sir, am much obliged to you ?" re-
sponded the happy pupil scarce knowing how
to express the joy he felt at finding himself
such great faVorite with his heretofore stern
master.
"And then there's Yourself Johnny, that
I've known since your birth-the son of my
ould friends and companions of my youth"
"Oh, thank you, sir"
All, yes, Johnny" went on the domino,
with something between a groan and sigh,
and some slight indication of tears, "it's the
whole blssed family that | have known so
long, SO WELL and SO favorably, johnny and
now that l look back with pride on these same
bygone "reminiscences, think | would not be
doing justice to your noble father, your kind
mother, and your lovely sisters, nor to your
self and the rest of mankind, if | were to let
such lazy, good for nothing rascal go with
out good thwacking' Hould ont yer hand,
Johnny-hould yer had, yer young rascal!'
And before poor johnny had time to recov-
er from his astonishment, he found himself in
the process of a good "thwacking" that he
never forgot to the end of his life.