Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-07-31
gaoies' department.
For the VERMONT FARMER.
THOSE AWKWARD BOYS.

found, away from home, than the school.room,
and the teacher that observes pupils closely
may become acquainted with the character
of their parents, without ever meeting them.
There is marked difEerenee>in schools OF
different locations however.
In the average district school, for time
the small pupils live 10 fear of the teacher,
and dare not speak aloud in her presence.
IfspOken to, they smile family, blush pain.
fully, put their fingers into their mouths, tip
their heads one side, and remain silent.
For awhile the teacher exercises every power
Of persuasion, and uses much stratagem to
botray them into speech, and feels very
grateful on obtaining monosyllable, even.
The older children are less difident, and
family answer "yes," aud "no," to every
question. A rsw weeks pass, some triAing
Improvement is noticed, and much encour-
aged the teacher labors on but let visitor
chance to enter that school.room, and all
power Of speech or comprehension vanishes
at once, and they are only able to gaze and
admire
In such a school it is difficult to study a
child's nature, because they do not act natu-
raj. Perhaps, by being cautious you may
catch them off their guard. Watch them at
their play and notice the complete change
wrought in every look and action. The
half.scarcd half-defant look will gradually
give place to the pleased, happy expression
that should always be found OH children's
faces. They are not awkward now every
movement is rapid and graceful.
Very few children are naturally aiok10ard
1t is only after being trained ten or twelve
years by the example of awkward parents
and playmates, that they reach perfection in
this accomplishment.
Perhaps "that awkward boys" mother
has parlor, but he must not dare cross the
threshold, lest he wear out the carpet or
break that plaster-Of.Paris bouquet on the
bureau
Possibly his sister has piano, but he
must not venture near it, for Of course he
would scratch or mar it with those big
boots.
Does the thought of soft slippers that
won't "scratch" ever cross his sisters mind
as she sits practicing two or three hours
day7
While at boarding-schoo (where she i'm
proved her manners q little) she found
friends, and sometimes invites them to spend
the day at her home. Then her "awkward
brother" is kindly allowed to scale the hills
in search Of fresh berries for tea, and if he
will not eat any, and is very careful not to
jam them, may "pick them over" but will
his grateful sister think Of inviting him to
sit at the table with her friends to partake
of the fruit so dearly purchased ? Why she
would stand aghast at the thought, and he
would, no doubt, fee in dismay He would
much prefer to take his supper in the hot
kitchen with his father and mother and the
hired men. But why do they take their
meals in the kitchen? Tho apology given
their guests was, that they could not spend
time to dress, but they secretly congratulate
themselves that they can give so good an ex-
cuse, for they have as great dread of stran-
gers as "that awkward boy"
How does the young lady serving tea in
the dining room appear2 She tries to look
happy and unconcerned but she is mentally
comparing the silent group around the table
with the same company at the home of her
friend, where the whole family were assem-
bled and everything was so cheerful and
pleasant. Does any one blame her if she re-
solves "never TO marry farmer" and live IN
that stupid way2 Then she marks the con-
trast between her little brother and others
that are not called awkward" But when
the sun is fairly down he is seat to bed as
usual, and he goes slowly up the back stairs
to the garret, wondering when he will ever
be "Old" enough and good" enough to spend
an evening in the parlor with visitors.
There is no one to 60 with him to his room
and sit beside him until he is sleeping, or
tell him pretty stories. No one hears his
evening prayer and gives him goodnight
kiss. He is told that such things are foolish,
when his little cousin from the city wonder
ingly asks why his mamma does not do as
his mamma does. You will fnd no pictures
or books in his reom, no little table with
nice boxes for such things as boys think
treasures. just hard bed is all he needs |;
girls like such things as those. His best
clothes are kept somewhere, away from all
harm, and if he is "goOd boy can have
them on next time the circus comes" But
that is not much comfort, for he lives in NOR
tai fear of Soiling them.
lie is sent to school during winter because
he is such plague at home, but he is not
asked to read to his mother or sister, and
they never think of assisting him. They
tell him the teacher is hired to do it, and
they can't spend time. If he asks questions
about things he does not understand, he is
told to keep quiet at once.
lie is not allowed to have money, because
he will lose it or spend it foOlishly, and he
is good for nothing but a drudge, he is $50
awkward" Yes he is awkward, aud who is
the most to blame for all this2 What OPP
Portunity has he had for being otherwise ?
and should he ever be fortunate enough to
get away from home, what modification
must he endure, before he learns the first
lessons Of good behavior Because man
is farmer is no reason why he can not be