Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-05-18

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my presence, and grew worse than before.
Zone day went home from school fairly
worried out with his hatefulness, and sal
down alone to think what was next to be
done. ptied the poor child that there was
nobody to care for and save him; he was SC
unlovely that he suffered sort of abuse from
every hand that touched him. Then thought
how infinitely patient and loving Christ had
been with my own waywardness, and l re-
solved to make one more effort for this sin
ming, friendless child. So knelt down and
asked God for strength and for love, and when
1 went out of my room saw all clear
The next day the boys father came drag
gng him into the school room, with an angry
discouraged look. Here's Walt" said he
-" / don't know what ails the boy, but |
can't do anything with him. If he runs away
again he shan't come to school another day
I'll put him into shop to work."
II think we shall have no more trouble,
Mr.. J." said l "Walter will be good
now."
The man looked astonishcd and went away
but felt as if 7ictory was near at hand At
ter the excitement of such scene had subsi-
ded, called Walter to my desk and spoke in
the kindest manner could: Walter what
makes you such a bad boy?"
He answered sullenly, II don't know {; l
can't help it,"
Wouldn't you rather be good so people
will love you-so your teacher will love you,
and be glad to see your face coming into the
school ?"
Il can't be good-I never was good" said
the boy.
Couldn't you be good if 1 would lore you
Walter!"
" You couldn't love me-nobody ever
loved me" said Walter. looking down very
restlcstly.
"Yes, Walter" sad I. "ifyou would try
to be good could love you. and would love
you, and be the best friend in the world"
"The boy looked up as if strange, new
thought had struck him.
Il repeated my words, and the tears start
ed little, too, for was tired and nervous
with my cares. A moment I waited for an
answer, and then he spoke, choking down his
emotion: ''You can't love me p'
Again assured him in the gentlest man
ncr. and then he said, "IfI should try and
should fail once or twice, could you love me
then little ?" l told him yes.
" He stood another moment trembling and
swelling, and then he broke down entirely,
and cried as if his heart was bursting. 1 let
him cry, and did not shut back my own tears
while the whole school looked on-Finally,
when he had done sobing so as to speak. he
said in voice that didn't seem like Walters
"Oh, if you'll love me, I'll be a good boy.
Il talked awhile to sooth and encourage
him, and then dismissed him to his seat
Before he went be took my hand in his dirty
brown fingers, and with the tears raining
over it, kissed it again and again. did not
require many lessons that day he laid his
head on his desk and cried most of the time
Twice he came to my desk, as if afraid to be-
lieve, to ask the same question-"Can you
love me, Mrs. L-?Oh, I'll do anything if
you'll love me? ~ Once put my arm round
the great, uncombed, unwashed German boy,
and kissed his forehead.
Walter was conquered. The next day he
came to school in tidy clothing, washed, comb
ed and in his right mind. had no more
trouble, but l had, while he remained in my
room, all the obedience and kindness such a
boy can give. By taking some extra pains
with his lessons-and that was very willing
to do-he was in few months promoted with
credit to higher department In return, he
delighted in doing errauds for me and through
the whole season he searched the country for
miles around to get flowers for my vase. The
incident was trying one to me. but besides
the good to poor Walter. it was worth dozen
whippings to the school,"
"Why," said the young teacher" ait is in
deed like missionary work to kiss dirty boys,
but you have the genius for it,
ave are all aware" answered Mr.. L.,
'that to teach successfully, one needs the de-
votedncss of a missionary. We know, also.
that no great moral good is ever dene but by
giving out of ones heart and life to the needy
and the unworthy. To use ones faculties of
friendship and kindness without stint or grudg-
ing, is all that genius means, as you apply
the term. And it has for the giver as well as
the receiver its own abundant and blessed re-
ward. chronological Journal.
TO be a woman of fashion is one of the
easiest things in the world. A late writer
thus described it: Buy everything you don't
want. and nav for nothing YOU get: smile on