The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-11-02
R7he ilEAts1 SSAss6F.

ire much too ffcuuent In our country, and
lhev ara snch. too, O. should be guarded
Aeninat by all who have IN interest IN edu-
cation. This incident was brought TO my
mind by the parent Of Q boy who had been
cro,,ly neglected simply because he was
very poor and comparatively without
friends. ss5
Many years ago, when was small boy,
attended school In the town Of -----
Among other scholars there was one named
George Henry. His, father was Q poor,
man, and the unfortunate boy had
to suffer In consequence. George came TO
school babited In ragged garments, but
they were all he had. He Was rough and
uncouth in manners, for he had been
brought up In this way. He was very ign0-
rant, for tho simple reason that he never
had the opportunity Of education. r
, Season after season, poor George Henry
occupied the same seat In the school. room
II was back corner seat, away from the
rest Of the scholars--and there he thumbed
his tattered primer. The ragged condi-
tion of his garb gave homely cast TO his
whole appearance, and what intelligence
there was in his countenance was be-
clouded by the "outer coverings" of the
boy. He seldom played with other chill
dren, for they seemed to shun him, but
when he for awhile joined with them in
their sport, he 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
eide blockhead," because he did not
learn. The boy received no incentive 70
study, and consequently he was most OF
the time idle-an idleness which begat his
disposition to while away his time in mis-
chief. For this he was whipped, and the more
idle he became. He knew that he was neg
iected by the teacher simply because ne
was Door and ragged; and with sort OF
sullen indifference, sharpened at times Dy
feelings of bitterness, he plodded on MS
dark and painless way.
Thus matters went on for several years
most of the scholars who were Henry's age
had passed the higher branches OF study,
while he, poor fellow, still spelled words of
one or two syllables, and still kept his dis
tant seat in the corner. His father had
sunk deeper into the pit Of inebriety, and
the unfortunate boy was more wretched
than ever.
The look of clownish indifference which
had marked his countenance was now CIV
ing away to shade Of unhappy thought
and feeling, and it was evident that the
great turning point of 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 by the name Of Kel-
ley took charge of the school. He was an
old teacher, and careful observer of hu-
man nature, and really agood man. Long
years of guardianship over wild youths
had given him bluff, authoritative way,
and in his discipline he was strict and un-
wavering.
Tie day he passed at the teachers desk
Of our school he was mostly devoted to
watching the movements of the scholars
and studying the disposition of those with
whom he had to deal. Upon George Henry
his eyes rested with keen, searching
glance; but evidently made little of him
during the first day, yet on the second day
he paid more attention.
TWAS during the afternoon of the second
day that Mr.. Kelley observed young Henry
engaged in stringing flies upon a pin. lie
went to the boys seat, and reprimanded
him for his idleness, and took up the tat
tered book from the desk.
"Have you never learned more than is
in this book ?" asked the teacher.
"No, SIR" said the boy.
SHOW long have you been attending
schoolw
SEVER since I can remember"
"Then you must be an idle, reckless
boy.n said the teacher with much severity.
."Do you realize how many years you have
thrown away9 Do you know how much
YOU have lost What sort of O man do
you think of making in this way? One OF
these days you will be too old to 60 to
school, and then, while your companions
are seeking some honorable employment,
you will be good for nothing. Have you a
father and mother Z" ..a1.
eyes, SIR" said the boy in hoarse, sub
"And do they wish you>to grow up in
ignorance
The boy hung down his head and was
silent. but Mr.. Kelley saw two great tears
roll down his cheeks. In an instant the
teacher saw that he had something more
than an idle, stubborn mind to deal with
in the ragged scholar before him. He laid
his hands upon the boys head, and in q
kind tone said:
ct wish you to stop after school is dis
missed. Don't be afraid, / wish. to assist
you if / can"
George looked wonderingly into the mas
ter's face, for there was something in the
tone of the voice that fell upon his ear that
sounded strange to him, and he thought, as
he looked around, that the rest of the
scholars regarded him with kinder counte-
nances than usual. A dim thought broke
in upon his mind that for some cause he
was going to be happier than he was before.
After school was dismissed, George re-
NAMED in his seat till the teacher called
him up to his desk.
"Now," said Mr.. Kelley" 81 wish to
know why it is that you have never learned
any more. You look bright, and you look
as though you might make smart man.
Why is it that find you so ignorant 2"
"Because no one ever helps me-" replied
the boy. "Nobody cares for me, sir, for
i am poor"
BY degrees the kind hearted teacher got
the whole Of the poor boys history, and
while the generous tears believed his eyes,
he said:
"You have been wrongly treated,
George, but there is time for redemption.
If win try to teach you, will you try to
learng'
"Yes-oh yes," quickly uttered the boy
In earnest tones. "Yes-I should like to
loo-. 7 .lon,t xvont IN ha had hov - ho