The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-11-14
THE sLleHrRD scHoI AR.

are much too frequent 10 our couatry, and
they are such, too, as should be guaIded
against by all who have an interest In edu-
cotton. This incident was brought to my
mind by the parent Of boy who had been
grossly neglected, simply because he was
very poor. and comparatively without
friends.
Many years ago. when was small bov.
| attended school in the town Of - :. A.
meng other scholars was one named George
Henry. His father was poor. drinking
man, and the unfortunate boy had TO suffer
10 consequence. George came 10 school
hsbited in ragged garments. but they were
all he had. lie was rough and uncouth 10
manners. for he hat been brought up in
this way. He vas very ignorant, lor The
simple reason that he never bad an oppor-
tunity OF education.
Season after season. poor George Henry
occupied the same seat IN the school room
lit was q back COZ iner seat, away from the
rest OF the scholars--and there he thumbel
his ta,tsred primmer. The ragged condi.
tion Of his garb gave hoinely cast to his
whole appearance. and what intelligence
there was in his countenaace was berloud-
ed by the "oater coverings" of the boy.
lie seldom plsyed with other children, for
they seemed to shun him. bit when he for
while joined them in their sport. he was
so rough that he was soon showed out Of the
way.
The teacher passed the poor boy colJly
IN the street. while other boys 10 better
attire were kiney noticed. In the school.
young Henry vas coldly treated. The
teacher negIected him. and he called him
az idle /" blpckhead.' because he did not
learn. The boy received 10 incentive io
sirdy. and consequently he was most nf the
time idle--an idleness which bega, his dis
position 10 while away his timr In mischief
Eur this lie w.s whipped. ani the more
idle he became. lie knew that he was neg
iecled by the teacher SIMPLY because he
vas poor and ragged and With sullen in
difference. sharpened At times by feelings
Of bitterness. he plodded on has dark AMI
pathless way.
Thus matters went on for several years I;
most Of the scholars Who were Henry's age
had passed the higher branches Of study.
while he. paor fellow, still spelled words
Of one aud tao syllabics, aud cill kept his
distant seat in the corner. His father had
sunk deeper IN the pi, Of inebriety. and
the unfortunate boy was m"re ~rete he'd
than ever.
The look of clownish Indifference which
had marked his eountenance was nov Civ.
ing way TO 4 shade Of unhappy though, aud
feeling. and IL was avi,lrni that the great
turning point Of life vas az hand. lie
stood nov in The step of life from which the
late ofaiter years must take rest.
After this man by The name Of Kelly
took charge cf the schooI. lie was an old
teacher and careful observer Of human
n,ture, and really COOL man. Long years
ef guardianship over Wild youths had Civ
en- him a biuf, authoritative. way and in
his discipline he was strict and unva,cr
ins. g
The hrst day he passed al the teachers
desk OF our schonl he was mostly devoted "a
watching the movements Of the scholars and
stud, ,ing the disposition II those with whom
he had 10 ieal. Upon George Henry hi,
eyes rested with akern. searching glance
but evidently maize little Of HIM during the
iirst day. yet on the second day, he paid
more attention.
II was during the afternoon of the se.
cond day that Mr. Kelly observed young
Henry engaged 10 strlnging flies upon !
pin. lie went o the boys seat. and rrpri.
nsnded him for his idleness. and took OF
the tattered book from the desk.
|" Have you never learned more than !,
in this book ," asked the teacher.
No. sir," said the bog.
Haw long have you been attending
SCHOOL,"
Ever since can remsmber."
"fhen you must be an idle reckless