Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-08-01

was so poor scholar. though never
thought twas my fault, for I've tried TO
improve what little time | have had to
study but never was ashamed in my
life. OF the color OF my hair, nor of my
lreckled face. cause they are jest rs the
Almighty see fit to have 'em; and hard Il
chap ms you think | be, Libby, shouldn't
sit here TO complain about what He does,
nor 'wit anybody about such things
neither" After moments pause he
added. it speaking 10 the whole school
81 nevei hint a scholar afore, and 1
never sworc ut 'em afore, and I'm sorry
! did it this noon"
lie stopped and drew on his boot. II
was evident he had said all he wished TO
say, and that he felt the better for having
said il.
He looked no longer like n sullen, dis.
cournged. brow beaten boy. His whole
expression was like that of person who
feels that he has done his duty. and is
fcaressly awaiting the results. The
change was so marked, il did not escape
the notice of any scholar in school except
Libby Arnold. Her lace was buried in
her handkerchief, and she was sobbing
aloud. Mr. Willet asked her II she were
crying because she was hurt
mo, SIR" she replied. "I'm crying be.
cause | have treated Ben so. I'm great
deal more 10 blame than he is. | don't
want him punished | didn't know he
had such hard times. I'll ask mother to
give him some stockings"
Mr.. Willet was pleased to hear her say
what she did. And he was equally graf
lied to discover from the countenances
of the other scholars, that The tide of
feelings had turned in Ben's favor Now,
he could get along without furnishing the
boy, and without compromising his own
dignity. He would not have punished
him. had they felt otherwise. for he sin
cerely piticd Ben after hearing his story.
He was satisfied that he had been more
sinned against than SHINING. But he
liked to have his pupils justify him in all
that he did. He said 10 Ben:
at would have been better il you had
told us how you were situated, before"
al should Il done it," Ben honestly re.
piled, "ifTd felt free too; but you never
seemed to like TO have me come near you,
nor say much 10 you, and I couldn't cit
up the courage. I've wished a great
many times | could tell you why | was
so poor scholar. I'm never allowed to
spend minutes time with books out Of
school; and I've never been to school in
my life, only few months in the winter;
and cause / 'han't had no chance TO look
over my lessons between schools. I'd
almost forget from one winter to another
what little had learned, and so I ha'nt
never made much hcadway"
MIR. Willet felt kecnly rebuked for
having treated the poor, forlorn boy,
in such disdaniul and neglected man
ncr. How much Lc had needed the
sympathy of bis teacher! lie inwardly
resolved that he would do all he could
the remainder of the term to help and
encourage him. He spoke TO the schol-
ars, with less precision and far more
eancslncss than was his custom, in re-
gard 10 treating each other kindly and
Justly, and cautioned them against n
naughty. "verbearing spirit. He CON-
mended Mary Lee for the firm stand she
had taken against oppression. And Gas
matter of course) he gave Ben short,
stereotyped lecture in regard TO in.
dulginS in bursts OF temper, hurting
scholars, and using proiane language,
under any circumstances but he closed
his remarks by speaking kind and cheer.
ing words to him.
Ben went home from school that night
feeling happier than he had at any time
before. since his mothers death; and he
wandered il she knew what had taken
place that afternoon in the little red
school-house under the hill. He rather
thought she did, and il added TO his hap.
piness. Let him have all the comfort he
can get from believing it. But who can
say that she did know or who can say
that she did not )?
Concluded next week