The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-07-27
THE SLIGHTED SCHOLAR.

4
to suffer in consequence. George came t
school habitated in ragged garments-bu
they were the best he had; he was roug
and uncouth in his manners, for he ha
been brought up in that manner; he wa
very ignorant, for he had never had oppol
tunity for education.
Season after season, poor George Henr
occupied the same seat in the school room
it was back corner seat, away from tn
other scholars-and there he thumbed hi
tattered primer The ragged condition o
his garb gave homely cast to his who'll
appearance, and what of intelligence Their
might have been in his countenance wa
beclouded by the "outer covering" of thu
boy. He seldom played with the othe
children, for they seemed to shun him: bu
when lie did, for while. join with them il
their sports, he was SO rough that he wa
soon showed off out of the way.
The teacher passed the poor boy coldl,
by in the street, while other boys, in bette
garb, were kindly noticed. In the school
young Henry was equally coldly treated
The teacher neglected him, and then callet
him an idle blockhead," because he die
not learn. The boy received no incentive
to study, and consequently he was half o.
the time idle, and idleness begot DISPOSE
ton to while away the time in mischief
For this be was whipped, and the more hi
was whipped, the more idle and careless he
became. He knew that he was neglected
by his teacher, simply because he was poor
ana ragged, and with sort of sullen in
difference, sharpened at times by feelings
of bitterness, he plodded on his dark
thankless way.
Thus matters went on for several years.
Most of the scholars, who were of George
Henry's age, had passed on to the higher
branches of study, while he, poor fellow,
still spelled out short words of one and two
syllables, and still kept his distant seat in
the corner. His father had sunk lower in
the pit of inebration, and the unfortunate
boy was more wretched than ever The
marked his countenance, was giving way
to shade of unhappy thought and feeling,
and 1t was evident that the great turn
point Of his life was at hand. He stood
now upon the step in life from which the
fate of after years must take its cast.
At this time man of the name of Kelly
took charge of the school. He was an old
teacher, d careful observer of human
nature, and really good man. Long
years of guardianship over wild youths
had given him bluff, authoritative way,
and in his discipline he was strict and I'M
wavering. The first day he passed in the
teachers desk of our school was mostly
devoted to watching the movements of the
scholars and studying the dispositions with
which he had to deal. Upon Geo. Henry
his eyes rested with keen, searching
glance. But he evidently made little of
him during the first day, bat on the second
he did more. 1t was during the afternoon
of the second day that Mr.. Kelly observed
young Henry engaged in impaling flies
upon the point of a large PIN He went to
the boys seat, and after reprimand ing him
for his idleness, he took up the dirty, tat
tered primer from his desk.
Have you never learned more than is
in this book ?" asked the teacher.
No, SIR" drawled George.
How long have you attended school %
81 don't know, sir. It's ever since
can remember
Then you must be an idle, reckless
boy" said the teacher, with much severity.
" Do you realize how many years you have
thrown away? Do you know how much
you have LOST What sort of man do you
think of making in this way? One of
these days you viii be too old to 60 to
school, and then, while your companions
are seeking some honorable employment,
You will be good for nothing. Have you
any parents?"
Yes, SIR" answered the boy, in
hoarse, subdued tone.
"And do they want you to grow up to
be an ignorant, worthless man?'
The boy hung down his head and was
silent, but Mr.. Kelly saw two great tears
roll down his checks. In an instant the
teacher saw that he had something besides
an idle, stubborn mind to deal with in the
ragged scholar before him. He laid his
hand upon the boys head, and in a kind
tone he said:
{" | wish you to stop after school is dis
missed. Do not be afraid, for I wish to
assist you, if l cam
George looked up wonderingly into the
masters face, for there was something in
the tones of the voice which fell upon his
ear that sounded strangely to him; and he
thought, too, as he looked around, that the
rest of tie scholars regarded him with
kinder countenances than usual. A dim
thought broke in upon his mind that, from
some cause, he was going to be happier
than before.
After the school was dismissed, George
Henry remained in his seat till the teacher
called him to the desk.
Now" said Mr.. Kelly, 81 wish to
know how 1t is that you have never learned
any more. You look bright, and you look
as though you might make smart man.
Why is it that find you so Ignorant"
"Because nobody ever helps me, sir,
replied the boy. Nobody cares for me,
for am poor
By degrees the kind hearted teacher got
the poor boys whole history, and while
generous tears believed his eyes, he said:
"You have been very wrongly treated
George-very wrongfully: but there is yet
time for redemption. If l will try to teach
you, will you try to learn %
"Yes-O, yes" quickly uttered the boy,
in earnest tones. Yes, | should love to
learn, don't want to be bad boy" he
thrillingly added, while his countenance
glowed with unwonted animation.
Mr.. Kelly promised to purchase books
for him as fast as he could learn to need
them, and when George Henry left the
school room his face was wet with tears.
We scholars, who had remained in the
entry, saw him come out, and our hearts