The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-08-10
NUMBER 4S.
Youthful Disregard of ReprOOf---Its Ten
denotes.

pealing look, she addressed a strange
gentleman who passed by at the time.
A large, over-grown boy, of more
than fifteen years, had leaped over the
fence a moment before, and now, feel
ing himself beyond her reach, stood
laughing defiantly at his mother, who
had undertaken to reprove him for
some mean conduct. Without making
reply, the stranger turned severe look
upon the boy, which had the effect of
checking his mirth and changing his
color little, and then advancing to the
rails, and resting his arms upon them,
related the following story, which
might have been profitable to both his
hearers:
''There is, perhaps, nothing more
painful than to see children, and es-
pecially large boys, who ought to know
better, uncivil and disrespectful to their
superiors, but particularly so to their
parents. When I was boy myself, I
regret to say fell into the very same
sad fault, for which I was not alone
blameworthy. / was considered re-
markably smart for my years, and my
singularly wise sayings and doings de-
lighted admiring friends-I suppose 1
was looked upon by my parents as a
young Solomon. They generally brought
me into the parlor for the express pur-
pose of entertaining company. But 1
remember that l was wise enough to
understand and mark well all the
praises they heaped upon me. All my
wisdom was gathered from my friends,
and yet they gave me credit for origi-
nality in everything [ said or did. By
these aids l soon discovered my import
ance, and this made me very imperti-
nent-a pest and a scourge to my parents.
"When bad grown up to the age at
which ought to have been pleasure
to them, 1 was disobedient and sadly
disrespectful. When l think of the ir-
reverence 1 was guilty of, and which
they tolerated in me for a moment,
feel to this day crimson with shame.
And if thought it could make amends
for my youthful vileness, I should like
to undergo now the fioggings which I
ought to have received then. / was
permitted to call my father such slang
names as governor the boss,' the old
man. john and such like, to his very
face, and he heard it gOod-naturedly,
and laughed. The most sacred of all
names, mother, was seldom applied to
her who loved me more than any other
human being. 1 usually called her the
old woman or Mary humorously, of
course, and thought it sounded we'll.
"This bad training showed on me
everywhere else. At school the teacher
was a firm man, a first-class discipline
rian, and kept me in my place we'll; but
/ disliked him for what styled his Sc
verify, and behaved as disrespectfully
and disobediently as 1 we'll dared. L
was afraid of an open conflict with him,
knowing that, in that case, must have
Jared poorly. In secret, however, l did
what 1 could to disaffect the other
scholars and make them disrespectful.
In this succeeded admirably, especially
among the larger boys. We could all
plot mischief against him, and sneer at
him behind his back. His rebuke made
US angry and revengeful, and we con-
soled ourselves with the hope of paying
him for it when we grew up. In the
meantime, we enjoyed ourselves de-
lightfully in making game of him,
much to the entertainment of the schOl-
ars. was the prime mover in these
annOyances, and it never occurred to
my mind that my heartless conduct
would receive a sudden and unexpected
check.
"On one occasion he reproved me.
I L .
/ tossed my head in defiance, and
sneered contemptuously, looking for the
approval of my rude companions. But
before 1 had time to think what I was
doing, the teacher made my ear ring
with blow of his open hand. / stag
gered little, but instantly recovering
myself, and Struggling my shoulders in
contempt, dared him to repeat it. He
commanded me to leave the room.
| Glad of the opportunity, l went, and
closing the door with an impudent fare
well, ended my school education.
''In Sunday School l was even worse.
knew that my teacher had no means
of enforcing his instruction except by
moral suasion. l was irreverent, even
in the most sacred things. 1 turned my
pious teachers instruction into ridicule
| to make the others laugh. More than
once 1 used bad language to his face,
and | am now convinced that he was a
man of more than ordinary grace, or his
temper could not have brooked my con-
duct for a moment. Yet, strange to say
1 never knew of his having made any
effort to obtain my removal out of hi;
class. I think his prayers were an.
swered, however, by my suddenly leav-
ing the place. 1 went to business, and
was there but month when my baC
manners were directed toward my EN-.
ployer. He told me quietly that might
go home to my father. l went. l trieC
several other places, with a similar un.
happy result-unhdppy for me; hdppg
for my employers.
81 had now grown to be young man
and knew that l was losing my time
that 1 could never be worth anything
in the world. In weeks of despondency
l had time to reflect. l saw that l haC
been turned out of school for my insub
ordination; that l had been disrespect
ful to my Sabbath School teacher
though he desired my best interests
that my ill-breediBg had turned me ou
of three or four situations, and pre-
vented me from ever occupying others
| next saw that if ever expected to dC
well, l must govern my temper, sup
press my insutterable pride, which haC
developed by this time into impudenee
and practice obedience and respectful
ness to my superiors. The disgrace o
having been turned out of several situa
tions, to the certain knowledge of my
acquaintances, mortified me. To friend
l explained, when opportunity afforded
that it was not my fault, but tyrannica
masters; but no use; they had thei
own opinion, which was the correct one
My ill-fortune had its good effect upor
me. After the exercise of patience anC
practice of self-culture for long time
L succeeded in obtaining another situa
tion. When entering upon it, l madt