The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-09-11
A NEW SCHOOLMA'AM,

The sChOOma ans COming-the school
ma'am's COming!n shouted Il dozen voices at
die close of half hours faithful watch to
catch glimpse Of our new teacher. Every
eye was turned towards her with the most
scrutnizing glancc-iOr the children rs well
N others always form IN opinion OF n person,
particularly of their teacher, At first sight
How tall is shc?' exclaimed one.
"Ilo, amt afraid of her, nor a dozen like
her" cried the big boy" of the school.
"Nor l. either" cried the big boys little
ally, 81 could lick her easy enough; couldn't
you, Tom"
Yes, and will, too if she goes to touch
me"
"Hush!" cried one of the girls, she will
hear you"
BY this time she had nearly reached the
door, round which we clustered, ana every eye
was fixed upon her face with an eager Yet
kashlul gaze, uncertain, as yet what verdict
~ pass upon her.
Good morning children" she said, in the
kin1cst voice III the world, while her face was
lighted by the sweetest smile imaginable.
This is "A beautiful morning to commence
school, is it not?'
81 know | shall love her" whispered n little
pet IN my ear
ave all followed her into the sChoolrOom,
except Tom Jones and his ally who watched
antll the rest were seated and then came in
with Il staggering, noisy gait, and sort Of
daredevil, saucy look, rs much as to say, "who
cares for you?'
Miss Wescott looked at them kindly, but
appeared not to notice them further After II
short prayer and reading a chapter in the BIZ
bic, she passed round the room and made
some inquiry Of each one in regard To them
selves and their studies
Am uhat il Npur nnnp ghp kp1 lay
ing her hand on Toms head, while he sat
with his hands IN his pockets, swinging his
body forwards and backwards.
TON ~ shouted he at the top Of his
voice.
"TIow old are you, Thomas she asked.
Just as old again as half" answered TOm
with a saucy laugh
"What do you study, Thomas?'
Nothing
What books have YOU"
None"
Without appearing to be at all disturbed by
his replies, Miss Wescott said, Il am glad that
am TO have one or two large boys in my
school; you can be Of great assistance 10 me-
Thomas, if you will stop IA few minutes after
school this afternoon, we Will talk over a little
plan have f, ed"
This was stery to all, and particularly
to Tom, who uld not comprehend how he
could be us' to anybody, and tor the frs,
time in his c he felt rs if he was OF some
importance ia the world. He had always
been called the "beby boy" at school, and he
took sort Of pride in being feared by the
children and dreaded by the teacher.
Miss Wescott at once comprchended his
whole character, and began to shape her plans
accordingly. She maintained that "A boy, who
at twelve years Of age made himself feared
among his schOoliellows, was capable of being
made something Of Heretofore all influence
had conspircd to make HIM bad and perhaps
desperate character; she was determined to
transform his character by bringing opposite
influence to work upon him; and to effect this,
she must first gam his confidence, which could
not be done in better way than by letting
him feel that she placed confidence in him.
When school was out more than half the
scholars lngered about the door, wondering
what Miss Wescott had to say to Tom Jones.
He had often been hidden to remain after
school, but it was always 30 receive punish.
ment or lecture and nine times out of ten he
would jump out of the window before half
the school were out Of the room; but it was
evidently for different purpose he was to re-
man now, and no one wondered what it could
be more than Tom Jones.
Don't you think, Thomas, that our school.
room would be a great deal pleasantcr if we
had some eycrgreens to hang around it; some.
thing TO make it cheerful:' inquired Miss
WestcOtt
"lesm, aud know where can get plenty
of them"
well, Thomas, If you will have some here
by eight o'clock tomorrow morning, will be
here TO help you put them up, and we will
give the Children pleasant surprise. Here
are some books will give you, Thomas; you
may put them in your drawer; they are what
| want you to study"
But can't study geography and history"
exclaimed Tom, confused, Il never did"
mat Is the reason why you think you can.
not" replied Miss Westcott. II am quite
sure you can, and yon will love them, know :"
Nobody ever cared whether | learned any
thing or not before" SAID Tom, with some
emotion.
We'll, | care" said Miss Wescott, with
earnestness; you are capable of becoming a
great ana good man; you are now forming
your Character for life, and it depends upon
yourself what you become. The poorest boy
in this country has an equal chance with the
Wealthiest and MS circumstances are more IA
1orable for becoming eminent, for he learns to
depend upon himself. | Will assist you all 1
can "A your studies, Thomas, and know you
will succeed; remember that am your friend
and come TO me in every difficulty
Tom Jones had not been brought IN: he
had come up, because he had been born into
the world and couldn't help 1t; but as for any
mental or moral training, he was ignorant of
II as wild bramble Of pruning knife. HIS
father was an incorporate, bad man, and his
mother totally inefficient woman. At home
be received nothing but blows, and abroad
nothing but abuse. His bad passions were
therefore all excited and fostered, and his good
ones were never called out. He always ex-
pected that his teachers would hate him. So