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


aemy on examination day. The trustees seemed
70 thlnk great deal of him, and treated him
win much respect; but the boys felt rather un.
easy as his sharp, gray eyes looked searchingly
az each one OF them, and they saw that he was
listening carefully to their answers
49, i 90 wonder who that chap is" exclaimed
Charles Nane, after the exercises were over. and
tney were preparing 10 90 home. II declare, he
frightened me so, don't think could have told
the points OF the compass, if he had asked me ~
Harry Brown laughed. lie did not feel fright.
ened he had done his part well that day, and
many admiring glances had rested on the boy
who was called "tbe best scholar
The 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,
81 think this gentleman has left HE cane in the
hall up stairs; viii you look for itf'
certainly. sir and Harry went quickly up
70 the school-room again, and, returning with
the care, presented it to the gentleman, with a
polite bow.
"Ihat'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 those
stern gray eyes.
Just 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 a graceful bow.
The old gentleman saw it all but when Mr.
Raymond said, in pleasant way, "How few
boys have sush good manners he only replied,
at Is all very well; but let me see that bow al
home that's the place Let me see him with
his mother and sisters and then | can Judge of
his good manners. Ii you want to know boys
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 boy of their
school
But think the old gentleman was right when
he said, 'NatS he place." 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 careessly 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 ouly his mother and sister, you
know,
well, Harry, did your examination pass off
successfully Y
'Oh yes, first rate"
Harry might have told the particulars OF the
examination, To interest his mother and sisters
as they had been unable TO attend it but he did
not seem 10 think it necessary. He began to
look around Tor a 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
clr4ir to 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 it mp, but sat down. and opened one OF
his books. Surely, that did not seem like the
boy who 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 lie thought it foolish TO
be polite to Ter.
When Harrys father came in, and asked him
to look in the library for a 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 to make home happy
At the tea-tablc Harry did not think of those
little acts of politeness which he would not have
forgotten had he been taking tea with Mr. Raw
mond or the strange old gentleman, instead OF
only at home. He helped himself to bread with
out 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 you.'
and the please" which are such necessary parts
of peliteness at all times.
Then, when Harry went To bed he did not
think it worth while TO say good-night-though
he had been very careful 20 say 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 q
book-keeper for his coUutng-house from among
the graduates at the Academy, he would not
select one, until he had visited several at their
homes and become acquainted with their
ners there Ihen-to the surprise OF all the
school-he did not choose Harry Brown. For"
said he 81 don't want any boy about me who
can't be polite to his mother and sistersr
Boys. how many of you are like Harry
Some of you are. l know. Then Dear in mind
the words of the strange old gentleman: LET
me see that boy at home N5afS tie place ,"
Do not think that home is the place where YOU
can throw off all politeness, and be rs careless
and rough as you please. If there is place on
earth where you should wear your good manners
and be polite and knd-'.tbafs 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.
VIII you give more attention and respect to
those outside than to the dear ones at home
Will 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