The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-05-28
For the Spirit.)
THE VOICE OF SPRING.
BY DER sCHULMEIsTER.

ly days, and was naturally desirous Of
hearing the story of his experience, that
l might, in my own labors, profit by the
examples presented by it, for the parson
was discreet and earnest man-as ev-
cry teacher should be. But as my wor-
thy friend never introduced the subject;
l refrained from alluding to it, suspect
ing that there mi ght be connected with
it some reeollections painful to him. But
although have not yet heard whether
he was successful as teacher or not.
one incident connected with his career
in that capacity, came to my knowledge; !;
and it shows that he was possessed of at
least one grand quality, supposed to in
sure success in the practice of the diff
cult art of instructing-I mean the be,
ing capable of loving children, which is
but another name for being able to win
their love.
One evening in early spring, we were
seated together in the yard in front Of
my house. The scene before us was a
calm and joyous one. The farewell
smile of the setting sun rested on the
summit of the far off purple hills. The
trees aud shrubs around us were putting
forth their green leaves. The cloudless
sky above as, Notwithstanding its com
manding grandeur, seemed gently to in
to invite our souls to meditation.
We had been silent for some time, in
fuenced, no doubt, by the quiet beauty
of the scene around us. My reflections
were of cheerful nature; but happen,
ing to look at my old friend, l was LED
to suppose that his thoughts were gravel
and sadder. My little daughter, seated
at some distance from us, judging from
her unwonted stiffness, was deeply inter
ested in the contents of o book which
had given her that day. 1t was Mrs
Hemans' poems.
Suddenly the silence was broken by
her merry voice exclaiming:
90, listen, papa, what beautiful
wordsw then she read:
81 comel come! ye have called me long;
come Ger the mountains with light and song.
turned to make some reply and no
ticed that the eyes Of my venerable
friend were filled with tears. Perceivins
my wonder. he said, in avoice trembling
with emotion: "You are surprised a
seeing one, whom you have SO seldom
seen moved to tears, affected by sucl
joyous words as the voice of this happy
child has read. Yet / never read tina
poem, or hear it, without being reminded
of a scene l shall ever remember. Th'
words which the poetess so sweetly put
into the mouth of the ideal spirit 0
Spring, often ring in my ears in tones
which were long ago hushed. Since yo'
have seen my weakness, if you please tt
call it so, it is but fair that l should tel
you my story"
l requested him to do so, if it woul'
not cause him pain My little girl, he
countenance betraying that interest, wit
which children naturally hear the wore
'story," quickly laid aside her book,an'
sat down by the parsons side, lookin;
up into his face unhesitatingly.
l give his story, as nearly as ! can, il
his own words: ',ltnH
"Thirty years ago, /, poor student
was obliged to leave eollege,and to teacl
school, in order to obtain the means TO
acquiring what was then my chief world
| ly aim-an education. cannot say tina
chose the profession of teaching, OF
account of any love bore toward it; OF
the contrarv-wild youth as l was
found it disagreeable work at first. Blu
as could do nothing else, l reluctant,
entered upon my duties, tried to becom
interested in them and gradually sue
ceeded. t e#
| Never shall / forget my first pupils
Some of them, of course, were provok
ing enough, but there were others whor
it was real pleasure to instruct, so we
behaved were they, and such an interes
did they manifest in their studies. Wit
one of this latter named class my stor
has chiefly to do. Mary had won tn
affections. of all her school fellows b
her sweetness of temper and uniforr
kindness. Her modest behavior, her ir
dustrious application to her studies, an
that inexplicable something which wa
heard in every word she spoke, and see
in her simplest gestures, and which is a
ways mark of intellect Of superio
kind, won my esteem, ,anG ! soon learne
to point her out to others,as an exampl
worthy to be copied after. This wa
not necessary. The scholars alreao
felt the blessed influence of her gent
words and noble conduct. In short,
have seldom met with yonng .perso
of so lovely a disposition. When an
one was sad, Mary was the soother.-
Was any one in doubt about a lessor
Mary was the helper. Did the boy
quarrel, Mary was the peace maker
And never was the text, "A soft answe
turneth away WRATH better verified tha
by Mary's labor of love. need not IT
: late to you any other incidents which OF
CURED to relieve the monotony Of m
labors to you, teacher, this would
! adult repetition of experience which ha'
fallen under your own observation; bl
it is to the last day. the pleasing seer
of the drama which we had been actin
through six weary months, to which III
! story must turn.
"At length the day arrived. At the D
ginning of the term the time had passe
so slowly; but now, that / was about
J. say the sad words of parting to tho:
: for whom l had labored so long and s
earnestly, to whom l had become so q
l tached, could scarcely realize that tn
was indeed the day for which I had,
first, wished so earnestly; and my hea
was heavy to think must give up II
charge to one who might perform his d
I, ties as well as l. but could not take
livelier interest in his labors than l.
Would it be a man with no brighter o
: jeet in view than his monthly wages?
petty tyrant to rule my boys and gil
by fear and not by lore2 pr ev
a Il