The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-06-20
THAT'S THE PLAcEw

Il
70 think great deal of him, and treated him
WIN much respect; but the boys felt rather un.
easy az MS sharp, gray eyes looked searchinglv
az each one OF them, and they saw that he was
listening carefully to their answers
Il 90 wonder who that chap is" exclaimed
Charies 'ane, after the exercises were over, and
.tney were preparing TO go home. II declare, he
frightened me SO, don't think could have told
Ine points OF the compass, if he had asked me ~
Harry Brown laughed. lie did not feel fright
sned he had done his part well that day. and
many admlring glances had rested on the bow
who was called ''the best scholar
Inc strange old gentleman was standing with
one OF the Stockholders, in the Fairgrounds as
Harry passed out with several other boys.
Harry, said Mr. Raymond, stopping him,
Il think this gentleman has left his cane in the
hall up stairs will you look for it,,
Certainly, sir : and Harry went quickly M
to the school-room again, and returning with
the care, presented it to the gentleman, with a
polite bow.
That's fine boy" remarked Mr. Raymond,
as harry passed on towards the gate; "he is one
OF the boys we are proud Of" The old gentle
man was following Harry closely with these
stern gray eyes.
just as the boys reached the gate. Young
girl from the female department of the school
was going out; and, in trying to open it, drop
ped one OF her books. The other boys paid no
attention, but Harry stepped forward, held open
the gate, and picked up the book, handing it to
her with pleasant remark. As they looked at
Harry, he recognized them. and raised his cap
from his head with graceful bow
The old gentleman saw it all but when Mr.
Raymond said. in a pleasant way, "How few
boys have sush good manners" he only replied
at Is all very well; but let me see that boy III
h9nlej' M0fS the place Let me see him with
his mother and sisters and then / can Judge of
his good manners. If You want TO know bows
true character, see him in his home that's the
place" The old gentleman brought down his
cane with emphasis at these last words: and Mr.
Raymond seemed rather disappointed that he
did not appreciate more the model bow of their
school.
But think the old gentleman was right when
he said, 'nafs lie ptace." Suppose we look into
Harry Browns home and see how he appeared
there that same evening.
Harry went into the room where his mother
and sisters sat at their sewing. He threw his
cap carelessly down upon the table , he did not
even say good afternoon, as he took it off Per-
haps he forgot it, or else he did not think it
worth while; Gully his mother and sister, YOU
know
well, Harry, did your examination pass off
successfully :"
'Oh, yes, first rate ;"
Harry might have told the particulars Of the
examination TO interest his mother and sisters
as they had been unable 10 attend it but he did
not seem to think it Necessary. lie began to
look around tor seat. Somehow the ladies
work had become scattered about in different
chairs, and it offended Harry's feelings
For phys sake, can't you give fellow a
chair - sit on !"
Sister Ellen began to move her work
Here Is one she said; and. as Harry took it.
spool OF cotton fell and rolled away. He did
not pick 1t up, but sat down, and opened one of
his books. Surely, tina. did not seem like the
boy who 20 politely held open the gate and
picked up the book for the young miss, half an
hour before But it WAS only Harry's sister
this time; and perhaps he thought it foolish to
be polite IN her
When Hsrry's father came in, and asked him
to look in the library for magazine which had
been left there. Harry did not do it with that
certainly. sir, and that bright look which had
pleased Mr.. Raymond in the afternoon. and
which would have pleased his father still more
and helped 70 make home happy.
At the tea-iah'e Harry did not think Of those |
little acts ri politeneSs Which he would not have
forgotten had be been taking tea with Mr. Ray
mond or the strange Old gentleman. instead Of |
only at h"oac. He helped himself to bread, with |
ont noticing that the sister by his side had none |
He said Here, take it when Ellen did not see !
that he was holding the plate of butter towards |
her And he neglected the little thank vou."
and the please which are such necessary parts |
of peliteness at all times
Then. when Harry went 20 bed, he did not !
think 1t worth while to say ood-nght-though |
he had been very careful to saw q polite good |
afternoon before leaving school that day.
In truth, Harry's good manners were kept for |
those outside OF his own home And the strange |
old gentleman knew how many boys have his |
fault. SO, In few years, when he wanted a |
book-keeper Tor his counting-house from among /
the graduates at the Academy, he would not |
select one. until he had visited several az their
homes and become acquainted with their man. |
ners there Then-to the surprise of all the |
school-he did not choose Harry Brown "For,"
said he Il don't want any boy about me who |
can't be polite to his mother and sisters :"
Boys, how many OF you like Harry ? |
Some Of You are, l know. Then bear in mind !
the words of the strange old gentleman: "Let
me that boy at home; hafs the place :"
Do not think that home is the place where YOU |
can throw off ali polteness, and be as careless |
and rough rs you please. If there is place on |
earth where You should wear your good manners |
and be polite and kind--'tAptS the place." If |
there are any persons to whom You should give |
Your most polite words and kind attentions, |
those persons are your father, mother and sister.
Will you give more attention and respect to
those outside than to the dear ones at home ::
Win You be praised for good manners by stran-
gers, and cause those at home to think you rude
and thoughtless 1t will make your homes
much more happy and pleasant if you wear your
best manners always there. DO not omit any
act of politeness there, which you would perform
elsewhere. Do not be ashamed to be polite at
home that is the best place in all the world TO
you that Is the place where your best friends
are that is the place where your true character