Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-07-13
MISCELLANEOUS.
AFTER DARK-To PARENTS.

@SS GENTLEMAN called at my schoolroom
% door, the bearer of unpleasant tidings:-
"Three of your pupils have been stealing
books from the city bookstores. They are
known and watched for, and if they attempt
it again, will be detected, exposed and pun
ished." He gave their names, aud SO no time
was to be lost, 1 detained the three after
school, and sending them into another room, ex-
amined their desks, where found full proof of
their guilt-a humber of handsome anuuals
and illustrated works of travel, evidently hid>
den there to escape detection at home. Two
of these boys were brothers, sons of respect.
able merchant, whose conduct thus far in the
school bad been exemplary. 1 called them
in, showed them the books and asked what
it meant. They both burst into tears and
acknowledged their sins. They had done It
-"merely to display their smartness in de-
ceiving the clerk"-and had repeated il
several times for months past. set before
them their guilt, told them of their narrow
escape from public disgrace, and sent them
home weeping, to "confess it all to their
pareuts." They went, confessed, were for
given, reformed and became respectable men.
The third was the son ofa man high in of
fee, eloquent in public debate, aud of great
influence in the council of the nation. He
came with bold, defiant air and lie upon
his tongue: "I don't know anything about
ii" But there was the books. took them
from his desk, and told him that his guilt
could be easily proved, If he persisted in his
denial. He was bad boy and had given me
much trouble. Again and again had begged
his parents to forbid his roaming the streets
after dark, and warned him that he was form>
ing evil associations, and habits But / was
not prepared for the audacity he now dis
played. .4.--
"well, SIR" said he, ''I did steal them
but what business is it Of yours, and what do
you intend to do 2"
replied, II shall at once see your father.
BE must remove you from the school, and
hope he may find one where you may be saved
from the continued indulgence of your evil
pFopensities and its consequences. Go home;
will call as soon as have dined.
He turned upon me iercely, crying out -
''You tell my father |! I'll Kill you"
Poor boy" answered, AT am not afraid
Of your threats. Go home"
He sprang at me and struck me, and I was
compelled to give him severe whipping
(which did with difficulty, as he fought ike
young tIger) before could conquer him:
tell father-don't and will paw Won thou-
sand dollars" I shook my head, asking:
"Where could you get the money-by
stealing agaiu2 Could I encourages you thus
in your wicked course? No, my buy. must
do my duty. and will do it, regardless of
threats or promises. hoping and praying that
you may thereby be saved from ruin" He
went ont sulky aud muttered words Of dire
revenge.
Calling at his fathers, was usbered into
the parlor. He had just finished his dinner,
and rising from the table met mo pleasantly
Iegretting that 1 had not called sooner. spd
insisting that should at least partake Of the
dessert. As declined. he saw in my mauper
something that troubled him, and asked: