The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1862-10-04
for the 4ittle folks,
LAZY STEPHEN.

LAZY STEPHEN.
"Come, Prince" said Grace, I" we'll
walk along together" and Stephen,
finding that his dog followed the
teacher, joined the same company.
They had a great deal of pleasant
talk about cows, horses, seasons,
country amusements, etc. and Steph-
n was surprised when he got home,
to think how much conversation
had passed between himself and the
agreeable young teacher, more than
had ever occurred with all the 9th
ers taken together.
Grace was convinced that there
was an avenue by which she could
reach this hard nature, and awaken
his dormant faculties, that she was
sure lay sleeping there, for the boy
exhibited close observation in the re-
marks which he had made upon sub.
jects with which he was familiar.
Next morning, after the classes
were organized, Stephen stepped
forward, and said, rather sheepish-
ly, 81 would rather do something
than TO set here idle; will you please
give me some books?"
Grace quietly handed them; she
had hoped that the other boys had
not observed him, for she felt that
this was critical moment. Unfor-
tunately, John Duns,an had been
watching the proceedings.
sHolloa! | say, Steve, you're
knuckling down, are you, to wo-
man! l thought you had more pluck;
but don't believe in you; you're
only acting"
Stephen in rage threw the books
across the room and returned to his
suIIen mood, exclaiming, 81 said it
was no use; this is the way I've al
ways been tainted, boys making fun
of me, and teachers abusing meV'
Grace was grieved, but she saw
that this was not the proper time to
speah for she had often pondered on
the power Of ga right word at the
right time"
Another day Of gloomy idleness
for Stephen; but Grace did not de-
SPAR. He remained behind TO lock
up the room, and, in company with
Prince, walked home again with The
young teacher.
''Stephen, are you afraid Of John
Dunstan!' asked Grace.
"Afraid! not l." answered Stephen
I'm afraid of nobody"
"Then what made you throw your
books away to-day, after coming toI
resolution to study"
81 was in passion, Mss" ans
wered the boy.
"Yes," said Grace, ssand you were
afraid Of being laughed at; was it
aot soi''
Stephen did not answer.
Snow. Stephen Wright, 1 am
your friend; I'm determined to do
you good. To-day you meant to be-
gin a new course; | saw it, Stephen;
and you let that wicked boy drive
away all your good resolutions. III
you really want to do better, you
must get above being laughed at.
Begin tomorrow; never mind what
the boys say. do your duty; I'll
help you"
swell, Miss Grace, | know Pm
a mean coward, but I'll try to take
your advice"
Next morning Stephen took his
books again, and, Notwithstanding
the winks and jeers of his school,
mates, he controlled himself suffi-
GENTLY to master two lessons-the
beginning Of a new and better life.
The next day the idle boys made
great effort 10 get Stephen at his
old tricks; but he had fully made upl
his mind to study, and they could
not move him. His lessons were|
completely mastered, and his time
so well employed that Grace had less |
trouble with him than with any
other scholar in the school. His
old associates tried hard to coax him
of, and when that failed, they laugh
ed at him and tried to drive him by |
ridicule from his good purposes, but
he remained firm.
8" have turned over a new leaf"
he said to John Dunstan, 'and all
you can say or do will not make me
turn back again. and SO you may
just as well quittrying now as any
time. | am going to try TO make a
man Of myself yet, and as have
lost 50 much time in the past L must
be the more diligeut in the future"
"Well," said John, "if you are de-
termined to leave Us must bid you
farewell. l don't choose to knuckle
down 10 a woman myself, and
didn't think you was such a calf be.
fore"
Il am sorry you will no: leave
IA