The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-08-25
The SchOOlmaSter Of B0nchurCh

The Sch0OlmaSter OF b0nGilurCn
Bonchurch, in the Isle Of Wight, is-a pic
turesque village on the upper cliffs OF Ven
nor Here, some years since, lived poor
schoolmaster, who rented cottage Of two
rooms for his dwelling and d barn for his
school. He was self educated Ill the common
elements Of knowled ge, aud had made tue
human heart his study sand it was his de-
light not merely 10 teach the mechanical
parts of reading, writing and arithmetic, but
also to influence the moral and intellectual
powers Of his children, and to strengthen,
elevate and purify them. In this. large
aim he had but one text booi-The
Gospel Of the Great Teacher ;t.d i'll this he
learned one lesson in especal-that 1T is
good to seek to save that which is lost"
Like all CT his order, the master in his
school had TO contend with boys who could
not learn, and boys who would not But the
boy who gave him most trouble could and
did learn; only he was so intractabIe in his
general conduct, and such ala imp of mischief
that it was asceaseless perplexity with the
good master what ought to he done with
him The master had no worldly motive for
retaining so difficult charge, since he
gained net penny by it; but he felt a
christian yearning toward the lad, who was
an orphan, and was not without promise Of
better things.
''Harry Harry, look in my face sis,' ex-
claimed the master, one day.in bis very
sternest tones.
Harry lifted up bold. HANDSOME, and al
ways dirty face'surrounded by tangled
mesh of dark curling hail, and made com
ic grimace; but when his bright eye met
that of the master,he glanced aside as if
something panied him.
Harry Bonner you were last night steal
ing Farmer Watsons apples.
WAS |, master?
His tone Of mock innocence and sllnpllCl-
ty excited sudden laughter i'll the school,
and the frown Of the master could scarcely
check it.
Eyes, you were, sir; and tell you, Harry,
said the master, soIenuly, If you go on this
wav,yOu will come 10 some sad end
Il hope not master"
A stout lethern strap was produced.
'i0ld out your hand.' said the master.
No, thank you, sir V
Hold out your hand.
'.Rather not, if it's all the same to you, sir,
Il insist
The hand was held ont very firmly, Harry
winking hard; the strap descended, and then
with an effected howl, endingin tue laugh Of
a young savage, the culprit went back to his
form-only to.plan new offences
Il feel this is not the way to reclaim that
boy said the master, after school hours, to
his sister;an invalid dependent on him, who
sat all day i'll awicker easy chair, generally
in knitting dappled-gray worsted
stockings !'yet what else am | to do with
him ,he is excessively hardened full of cour-
age and cunning ;.never met with a-boy so
wicked; everybody prophesies
evil of his future life. lie detics restraint. In
any quarrel all the boys fear hinl;but ne
fears no one. He invents wild fun enough
for all the mischievous boys i'll England.
He has robbed every orchard within ten
miles ;and realIy'l often fancy he does it out
of m ere love CT adventure and peril.
''Your strap will do him 10 good, said
the sister quietly.
s'What then will
'.Patient kindness, and instruction, and
time"
''Why does he not know that | have al
most paid his uncle, the blacksmith, to let
him come to school-that send him vege-
tables ont of my garden evey now and then,
to keep him in good humor?'
'Harry knows you are his only true friend
and thinks more Of one gentle word from
YOU than of all your bows with your strap
He has far too much violent usage at hone.'
, One forenoon, Harry Bonner left his seat
at the head of the high form, flung his book
aside. and planted himself at the window
whence he enjoyed a view of the sea, and of
a man of war that had approached near the
shore, in order,as Harry had heard it ru-
mored. that its crew Of reamen for the French
war might be recruited 10y forcibly impress
ing men along the coast |
Harry was engaged in easy co,,+o,,,n1o
ton Of this prospect ..,
how ne was passing ..,-,, ,..-
What are yon doive sss.e .1ra... II,
Where IS your booa. nave y,sa psas So g>ssss
IegBoB?
no,
"Then, sir you shai, learn II uvuulv 1853
| son before dinner"
Il like double lessons, said Harry, fling
| ing himself back to his place and learning
rapidly long row of words and meanings.
| Before dinner time had come, the double
task was perfectly mastered, and hard sums
| got through-for sums and lessons were all
play to Harry.
The master looked at him with feelings
of pity, regret and admiration.
'.Oh my poor boy!" said he, ''how can you
throw away such abilities on mischief and
wicSedness?'
Harry colored up to his temples; his eye
flashed and moistened he was going TIC
make passionate reply, but turned short
around and went out of school whistling.
with his hands thrust among his marbles
and whip-cord in the pockets Of his ragged
corduroys. Beside the pond in the centre Of
the village he stopped and looking jealousy
around, land seeing he was unobserved,he
pulled out the marbles and top from his
pocket, and flung them into the water.
''Thefe, said ne, now | shall give up non
sense, and show the master, and show every
body what | can do. I'm thirteen years old
and shall soou be man, and | must look Out
for myselfas thetmaster says am clever and
all that; and so am clever, and l hare got
abilities; | feel it--that l do!'
He walked on,still talking to himself
presently he burst out d
"What does nncle hate me for, should
t-a