The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-04-12
An Incident In school LIfe---Never TyyIt
Boy for What he Cannot Avoid.
[From the Bufido Courier, August 2l.l

Boy for What he Cannot Avoid.
wE tFrom the BufEdo Courier, August 2l.l
Incidents trifing in themselves Of
ten have an important influence in de-
termining the character of life. A
word spoken in season, cruel taunt,
wounding the heart to its core, have
been the turning points in destiny, and
put a young mind on the high road to
fortune, or sent it downward to ruin.
Almost every person can recall some
occurrence in early life which gave
tone and impulse to effort, and imbued
the mind with principles whose inAu.
ence is even now controlling. We give
place to the following true narrative, as
on illustration of this fact, and because
it inculcates truth which every man,
woman and child may proftably bear
in mind:
Years ago, when 1 was q boy, it was
customary, and probably is now to
some extent among district schools in
the country, to have spelling schools
during the winter term. These gath
erings were always anticipated with
great interest by the scholars, as at
those times was to be decided who was
the best speler. Occasionally one
school would visit another for the test
of scholarship in this reg g,rd. All!
how the little hearts would throb, and
big ones thump, in their anxiety to
beat the whole.
Once on time, a nei ghboring school
sent word to ours, that on u certain
day in The afternoon they would meet
in our schoolhouse for one of these
contests. AS the time was short, most
of the other studies were suspended,
and at school and at home in the eve
nings, all hands were studying to mas
ter the monosyllables, dissyllabes,
polysyllables, authorizations, &C., &C.,
which the spelling books contained.
AT length the day arrived, and as
our visitors were considered rather our
superors, our fears and anxieties were
proportionately great. The scholars
were ranged in a standing position, on
opposite sides Of the house, and the
words pronounced to each side altern-
ately, and the scholar that missed"
was to sit down. His game was up.
ltdid not take long to thin the ranks
on both sides. In a short time our
school had but eight on the floor, and
theirs but six, After few rounds, the
contest turned in their favor, as they
had four standing TO our two. For
long time it seemed as though these
six had the book by "heart." At
length the number was reduced to one
on each side. Our visitors were rep
resented by an accomplished young
lady, whose parents had recently ar.
rived in town, and ours by myself,
ragged little boy of ten summers, who
had set up night after night, while my
mother, with no other light than that
produced by pine knots, pronounced
my lesson to me. The interest of the
spectators was exciting to the highest
pitch, us word after word was spelled
by each. At length the young lady
and | stood aloEe. Her teach
er said shc did not understand the
word. She declared she did; that the
honor was mine, and that | richly de-
served it. That was a proud moment
for me. l had spelled down both
schools and was declared victor. My
checks burned, and my brain was dizzy
with excitement.
Soon as the school was dismissed,
my competitress came and sat down
by my side and congratulated me on
my success, inquired my name and
~, and fatteringly predicted my fu.
ture success in life. ....
Unaccustomed to such attentions, |
doubtless acted as most little boys
would under such circumstances, iniu.
1iciously. At this iuncture, Master
g., the son Of the rich man of our
neighborhood, tauntingly said to me,
in the presence of my fair friend and
\ number of boys from the other school
-"Oh, you needn't feel so big-your
folks are poor, and your father is
lrunkard."
I vas happy no more-I was a drum
zard's son-and how could | look my
new friends in the face? My heart
seemed to rise up in my throat, and
llmost sufiocatcd me. The hot tears
'calded my eyes-but 1 kept them
pack; and as soon as possible quietly
slipped away from my companions,
procured my dinner basket, and, un-
observed, left the scene of my triumph
md disgrace, with heavy heart, for
ny home. But what home. "My
olks were poor-and my father was a
Irunkard." But why shouldI be re-
'roached for that? / could not pre-
ent my fathers drinking, and, assist
d and encouraged by my mother, l
ad done all l could to keep my place
n my class at school, and to assist her
n her worse than widowhood.
Boy as [ was, l inwardly resolved
ever to taste Of liquor, and that
would show Master G., i'll was adrunk-
I'd son, I would yot stand as high
S he did. But all my resolves could
ot allay the gnawing grief and vcxa.
ion proceeding from his taunting word I: