The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1863-09-23
School Boy Promise----A Sketch by a
Man of Fifty.

Theodore S. Fay, in narrating his early
adventures in the capacity of a peda-
gogue, gives the following as his expe-
rience of youthful indications Of future
greatness:
Thirty years ago, | was pennilcss and
without a friend. l had engaged unsuc-
cessiully in two or three forlorn specula-
tons, in the course Of which | wandered
about the State with a reckless indepen-
dence, sometimes mourning over the past,
aud sometimes anticipating the black and
gloomy future. At length my funds and
every invention to increase them were ex
hausted, and stunning all society, Ispent
a week in devising plans by which | was
to be rescued from my embarassments.
| wrote to friend who was the proprie-
tor of an academy Of some renown, and
offered my services as an assistant. They
were kindly accepted. His answer nclos-
ed advance money to a considerable
amount; and in few days, as it were by
the image Of some changing dream, |
found myself away from the wide, green
hills and shadowy wood of the country,
pent up in a small room with class of
boys whom | was to initiate in the mys-
teries of geography and astronomy.
The first lad was dull singular-look-
ing being, of the most unpromising exto-
rior. Judging from appearances, the
probability Of teaching his "young idea
how to shoot" seemed a matter of con-
siderable doubt. l strove several times
for glimpse of intelligence in his mind
in vain. 1t was like the labor of the Bra
lillian slave, digging in the sand for dia-
monds.
"Where is Asial' asked |.
He Redeemed, put out his under lip,
cast down his eyes, and at length found
words to say:
"On the map, SIR"
"Pont to its real situation"
He stuck out his clumsy hand like the
fore-pnw of dancing bear, and pointed in
a direction about twenty degrees above
tho horizon.
"What causes the day?"
"The sun, sir.
What causes the night"
"The moon, sir"
/ was quite satisfied as 10 the extent
of his abilities, and passed on.
The next was clear complexioned, no
ble looking fellow, with large dark eyes
and glossy hair, curled about his high
temples; his full lip was red like girls,
and his voice sweet rs music. He had n
correct knowledge of what he had gone
over, and n facility in learning whatever
was placed before him. The simple in
terrogations which | put to him were ca
silly replied to, till at length he missed
several in succession. Then came n shad.
ow over bis face, and the tears stole up
softly in his eyes, and hung upon their
long lashes trembling. l could not but
wonder to myself if he had sister or a
cousin who rosembled him; but what was
that to mel So l went on.
The next had nothing to distinguish
himself from boys in general. His coun-
tenance was one of those common faces
which we never notice. He had pins
stuck in the sleeve of his coat, and twine
hanging out of the corners of his pocket
his stockings hanging and slipped down
over his shoes, and the strings trailcd
along the floor. lie fidgettcd with his
button-holo, and put his foot in his lap
and at length got one of his companion,
laughing at something he had in bis hand
] called him to me and he thrust it into
his pocket, which stuck out from his body
rs if it contained the whole amount o
his personal estate. | desired him tC
empty it upon the desk, aud forth cam,
medly of schooi.boy treasures-ising
rlass. slate.pencils. ball, chewed India