The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-04-05
An Old Time schoolmaster

lhcte are many persons now residing in
the city OF Philadelphia, who. remember-
ing back somo thirty years, can recall the
nonest lace of a sturdy podsgogue from
the north OF Ireland, BY the name of W..
storm disclplinarian of the old school. who
oelieved that learning as often went with a
"ihwack as an inclination. Among the
pupils OF the honest w., was ono who has
since arisen to some distinction, but who.
curing his school.boy days, was generally
regarded as a thickhoaded, lazy fellow. and
was suro to got ole W.'s attention in tho
warming way, every semi. occasionally.
One day when Johnny had forgotten to
study his lesson, as usual, tho old dominic
biandiy requested him to take his place on
tho hoor rs he had few words to say to
nun Johnny, of course. stepped out with
iesr and trembling, and was greatly aston
ished to bear bis stern teacher address him
in very kind and gentle tone.
Johnny, my son." said W., "ye're Of q
good family. so you are."
johnny, who expected pretty severe
punishmeut, and had already begun to
whino and dig bis knuckles into his eyes,
looked up the greatest imaginable surprise
AN, thank you, sir + replied the lad,
with an air of some confidence.
o"y' ropeat, yero oil good
family. as good family as me own. knew
your father. Johnny, in the ould country.
ana this--as lad and man-and q better
ana honester lad and man, Johnny, never
knew ayther side OF the big deep."
Thank you, sirl" said JOHNNY. with n
pleasant smile, and furtive glance of tri
umph at somo of his playmates.
And knew your mother. too. JOHNNY
ole II. e
she grew up and married your father. John
ny; and after that sho was blessed bride
and as kind hearted and lovely a mother
and mistrcss of family, Johnuy. az iyer
left the shores of ould Ireland"
"fes, sir-oh, thank you, sir I" responded
tho delighted Johnny.
"Ah, Johnny, your father and mother and
myself have seen some happy days across
the great seas sighed the sentimental
sonooimaster; days that I'm knowing now
viii never return to me again. And then
your sisters, ,Johnny-you'veg got fine sisters.
100, that have known since they were
toddlings, and which the same now are or.
namonts to inny society"
"Oh. cir, ! am much obliged to YOU I" re-.
spondod tho happy pupil, scarce knowing
how to oxprcss tho joy he felt at finding
himself such great favorite with bis hero.
tofore stern master.
"And there's yourself, Johnny, that Two
known since your birth-the son OF my ould
friends and companions of my YOUTH
ooh, thank you, SIR"
"Ah. yes Johnny" went on tho dominic
with something between groan and a sigh
and somo slight indications of tears. ats
the whole blessed family that have known
SO long. and 80 well, and so favorable, John.
ny; and that / 10 ok back with pride on
these same bygonc "reminiscences, think l
would not be doing justice to your noble
father, your kind mother, and your lovely
sisters, nor to yourself and tho rest Of man
KIND. if | were to lot such lazy good for.
nothing rascal 60 without a good Sthwack.
ing, Hould out yor hand. Johnny--hould
yer hand ye young rascal r.
And before Johnny had time to recover
from his astonlshment, no found himself In
Inc process of good thwacking that be
never forgot to the end of his life.