The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1873-03-27
JOHN POUNDS, TIE sHoE-MEND-
A TRUE STORY.

his little nephew, child of about four
years of age, who was setting on broken
cricket in the little yard, where he lived,
crying bitterly. s. b
"Fhe boys laughed at my crooked feet,
and can't play like other children, and
have a good time," sobbed Benaie.
Il am sorry for you, Bennie," reioined
Uncle Jnhu IN kindly tone, "but cheer
up, little man, and / will see ifI cannot
help you. II were arich man, you would
soon be all ght; but patience and persev-
erance can accomplish a great deal, and
maybe d shoc-m nier can be as clever as
the doctors. Come, suppose I carry you
down to the shop. I want to measure
your feet and see if cannot make them
whole sgain, so that you will DO able to
run about as much as you want 70. Will
you be brave boy and not mind little
pain, III order to get wel?"
Eyes, answered Bennie, not kno wing
what he promised
Am not sure that can cure you, Ben
ME-" POUNDS added. fearing to increase
the boys mlseries it he failed in his at
tempt; "OutI will try and trying some
times works wonders. And you must try
also, and be good 10y, aud mird what I
say while | am at work" So the kind
uncle llf'ed up the boy. aud took him
down to his little workshop, room six
feet by eighteen, in a weather boarded
tenement He gave Bonnie IN old knife
and gave Bonnie an OLD knife and some
bits OF wood, with which to amuse him.
self, while he laid aside his own empln.
ment of mending SHOES, to puzzle out a
mechanical design similar - one which he
had heard physicians made use of to rem.
edy tho distortion. FL. became so alb
sorbed In his occupation, that he forgot
the presence of the child, until, on rising
To get tool frpm drawer, he saw the
little fellow had cuddled b .mself up in a
corner and was fat asleep
sleep on Beanie" he murmured, "and
take what rest you eau, for poverty and
toll await thee, or. still worse, helpless
ness and want if succeed not; but
must and will, for your sake" He had
d asst finished his plan and was congratu-
'atiug himself it would answer quite we'll,
when the child awoke, complaining of
being hungry, and wishing to be taken
b ,me 't%'s JEST
Here is biscuit for you, Bennie,"
said John, land you must try to amuse
yourself while longer until uncle is
ready to take you home. You know you
emmett get we'll unless you help me by
b ing good boy. Here are some pic
lures to look at" he added, handing Ben
ME torn illustrated paper. "But what
are they about" asked Bonnie, after he
had looked at the pictures. Mere work
for me thought John; the boy must be
taught to re<d. Il cannot stop now, Ben
ME-" he said aloud "tO explain them to
y'u, but If oou " ill be patient will teach
you to read some day, and then you Can
understand the pictures yourself Would
you like to learn?"
Yes" replied Bonnie. "Tom Pratt
reads and goes to school Can go to
SCHOOL,"
"Y"ur father is too poor to send you to
school," answered John; "but if you gs
we'll, so as TO run about, you can come
here every day and learn from me- But
play now by yourself, and let uncle work >
And thus good John Pounds plOdded
on century ago, while angels looking
down on his benevolent toll, must have
rej"iced. He succeeded to his hearts
content. Bennle WAS cured, and ran
alb Ut as we'll as any boy. Then com.
menced the task CT teaching him, for the
novelty of play and exercise made it
d0ublY difficult for Bonnie to stay inside
and learn; but by coaxiug and persever-
ance, John succeeded likewise in this. II
occurred to him, however, that the child
would learn faster and be happier for a
com paniOn. So he hunted up another
ragged, neglected child, and there seated
with last and shoe on his knee, might
any day be seen John Pounds teaching
those children. And the work grew on
his hands. Daily be felt stimulated to
assist others. until his room was crowded
Some sat on TIL able,one climbed upon a
shelf, others brought logs with them vor
seats. But John taught the children tn
gather up the hand bills from the street,
from which they could learn their letters.
When this was doao he taught them to
spell orally.
"Bennie," he would say, "look up at the
window; what is it that blinds you 80,
that you winkS"
"The sum-" answered Bennie
spell SUM-" said John, and then fol-
lowed this Lesson, until all the children
could spell sun.
Tommy what is it l am mending?" he
would ask of another.
"a shoe" answered Tommy.
Then the class was taught to spell shoe.
Outlines the recitations would be inter
rupted by children knocking at the door
with the request, "Please, sir, may we
come to your SCHOOL," f.
johns big hear; was panied to refuse,
but there was NO more room So he had
to limit his number and select the most
ignorant, and those who were most like
ly, freIn neglected circumstances or s.vici-
ous influences, to lose all chance of i'm