Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1865-11-04
But suffer me to pace e} ..
Round the forbi,lden place, f.
u Lingering minute, tqt.ft
Like outcast spirits who wait
Ard see through Heavens gate
Angels within il. E.a t,.i,r
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE sLIGInrED SCHOLAR.

W
This incident was brought to my mind by
the parent Of a Lay. who had been grossly
neglected simply because nc was very poor
and comparatively without friends. r,
Many years ago, when was a small boy,
I attended school In the town of -.
Among other scholars therc was one named
George Henry. Ills father was poor drink
ing man, and the unfortunate boy had to
suffer in consequence. George came to
school habited in ragged gnrments-but
they were all he had. lie was rough and
uncouth in manners, for he had been brought
up in this way. He was very ignorant, for
the simple reason that he never had the
opportunity of education. ll ......4... .l..
Season after season, poor George Henry
occupied the same scat in the school room,
it was back corner seat, away from the rest
of the scholars--and there hc thumbed his
tattercd primer. The ragged condition of
his garb gave homcly cast to his whole
appearance, and what intelligence there was
in his conntcnance WAS bccloudcd by tie
"outer coverings" of the boy. lie seldom
played with other children, for they seemed
to shun him, but when be for while joined
with them in their sport. lie was so rough
that he was soon showed out of the way.
The teacher passed the poor boy coldly
in the street, while other boys, in better
attire were kindly noticed. In the school,
young Henry was coldly treated. The
teacher neglected him and called him an
''idle blockhead." because he did not learn
The boy received no incentive to study, and
const tqucntly he was most If the time idle,
an i,llcncss which begat his disposition to
while away his time in mischief. For this
he was whipped, and the more idle he be-
came. lie knew that he WAS neglected by
tho teacher, simply because he was poor
and ragged. and with sort of sullcn in
difference. sharpcned at timesby feelings of
bitterness, he plodded on his dirk and path
less way. .l4 o.. ....tt !.r- t.. ...
Thus matters went on for svcral years.
most nf the scholars who wec of IIenry's
age had passed the higher branches of
study, while he, poor fellow, still spelled
words of one or two syla!les, md still kept
his distant seat in the corner His father
had snnk deeper into the pi of inebrity,
and the unfortunate boy was more wretched
than ever. ..s. ..s
The look of clewnish indifference winch
had marked his coun,enancc, WAS now Civ
ing away to n shade of unhappy thought
and feeling, and it was evident that the
great turning point ot life was at hand. He
stood now in the step of life from which
the fate of after years must take rest.
At this time man l,y the name of Kelly,
took charge Of the school. He was an old
teacher and careful observer of human ma
ture, and really good man. Long years of
guardianship over wild youths had given
him bluff, authora,ive way. and in his
discipline lie WAS strict and unwavcring.
The first day he passed at the teachers
desk of our school, he was mostly devoted
to watching the movements of the scholars.
and stu,lyirr the disposition OF those with
whom he had to deal. Upon George Henry
his ewes rested with keen searching glance.
but evidently made little of him during the
first day. yet ON tho second he paid more
attention. .. ..r. ....... .. ........ ....
Ii was during the afternoon of the second
day that Mr.. Kelly observed. young Henry
engaged in stringing flies upon pin. He
went tn the boys seat and reprimanded him
for his idleness and took up the tattered
book from, the desk, III r..t. ..r.. ..ng
"IIave you never learned more than is in
this bookl" asked the teacher. -.3."a
"No, SIR" said the boy.
slow long have you been attending
school3" 7aF'as ".r' 5. "...I
Ever since can remember"
"Then you must he an idle, reckless boy
said the teacher with much severity. DO
I ynu realise how many years you have lost
/ What sort of man ,io you think of making
! in this way! One Of these days you will bt
too old to 60 to school, and then, Will,
yonr companions are seeking some honor
able employment, you will be good fol
nothing. Have you father and mother2'
lies, sir said the boy In hoarse, sub
And do they wish you to grow mp il
ignorance2" -2''a +'r. !" -"I'
The bny hung down his head and wa
silent; but Mr.. Kelly saw two great tear
roll down his cheeks In an instant th
teacher saw that he had something NOR
than an idle, stubborn mind to deal Will
in the ragged scholar before him. He lait
his hand upon the boys head and in kin'
tone said /; -.iI nr.s .Ha i-
II wish you to stop after school Is dis
missed. Don't be afraid, iwisb to assis
you it can."yaiq nat r1an-.II n"i n
George looked wonderingly into the mas
ters's face, for there was something in tn
tone Of the voice that fell upon his ear tina
sounGed strange to him and lie thought a
he looked around that the rest of the scho
ars regarded him with kinder eountenanct
than usual. A dim thought broke in upo
his mind that for some cause he was goin
to be happier than he was before. u'.1V
After school was dismissed, George RI
NAMED in his seat till the teacher calle
him up to his desk. .-f a..
ai"Now," said Mr.. Kelly, II wish to kno'
why il is that you have never learned an
more. You look bright and you look g
though you might make a smart man.
d Why Is 1t that find you so ignorantr